I Was Reborn a Loser Abusing My Twin Wives, But I Awakened a System on Day 1 – part 2 – FULL
Chapter 262 Gunpowder “Let’s go and take a look.” Lin Xiao’s voice broke the silence. He was the only one who remained calm, and there was even a hint of a smile on his face. Everyone finally woke up from their dream, supported each other, and moved towards the explosion point with lingering fear. The air was filled with a pungent smell of gunpowder, mixed with the smell of burnt soil and rocks being blown apart. The closer they got, the more shocked they looked. The small hillside that originally stood there, at this moment… half of it disappeared out of thin air! Instead, there is a huge gap! At the edge of the gap was a hideous, broken rock section, charred black. Below the gap was a deep pit filled with rubble of various sizes and scorched earth. One could even feel a scorching heat faintly emanating from the bottom of the pit. Those dozen or so pillow sized packages just now actually caused such horrific destructive power! “Sir, this gunpowder… is truly a divine object!” Sun Mingde looked at Lin Xiao with a look of almost fanatical admiration. “With it, let alone Zheng Haoran, even if the imperial army comes, we dare to challenge him!” Several battalion commanders nodded repeatedly, their faces flushed with excitement. They were all leaders and knew only too well what this weapon meant. “Well, if we make good use of it, it can indeed save us a lot of blood loss.” Lin Xiao looked at the shocked expressions of the crowd, and the smile on his face became even more intense. He walked to the gap and clapped his hands, attracting everyone’s attention. “I call this thing ‘gunpowder’.” Lin Xiao’s voice was clearly heard by everyone, “Its use is more than just for the sound.” He pointed at the huge gap and said, “Uncle Dequan is right. Using it to blast rocks and break rocks, whether it’s building roads, digging canals, or mining, can increase efficiency by a hundredfold! A mountain road that used to take thousands of laborers months to clear can now be completed in just a few days using gunpowder!” Hearing this, Zhang Fuan’s eyes lit up instantly, and his breathing became heavy. Build roads! Transportation is key to the development of Qinglin County! With this gunpowder, efficiency will be more than a hundredfold! Lin Xiao continued, “It’s even more useful on the battlefield. Think about it, using this gunpowder bag to blow open the enemy’s city gates and destroy their fortifications is a piece of cake, isn’t it?” The eyes of Sun Mingde and several battalion commanders were also frighteningly bright, as if they had already seen the enemy’s city wall collapsing with a loud bang! “But this is only its most basic use.” Lin Xiao changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of temptation, “Gunpowder can not only explode, but also generate enormous thrust by controlling its combustion.” He stretched out his hand and gestured with the shape of a cylinder. “We can use strong metal to create tubular weapons. Fill the tube with gunpowder and iron bullets, ignite the gunpowder, and launch the iron bullets with speed and force far exceeding that of a bow and arrow. They can penetrate armor from a hundred steps away!” “Hiss—” Everyone gasped again. Pierce through armor from a hundred steps away? This… this is simply unheard of! “This weapon can be made into a single person musket and equipped to soldiers. It can also be made larger and mounted on a stand, transforming into an incredibly powerful cannon! A single shot is enough to shatter all enemies within a radius of several feet!” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but every word hit everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer. Muskets! Cannons! They had never heard of these terms, but just imagining the scene described by Lin Xiao was enough to make their hearts surge and their blood boil! Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, and the other battalion commanders were all looking at Lin Xiao with burning eyes, their eyes full of fanaticism and admiration. If potatoes and sweet potatoes solved the fundamental problem of survival and allowed people to have enough food to eat, the “Barefoot Doctor’s Manual” solved the problem of health protection and allowed people to live longer. Then this gunpowder, as well as the muskets and artillery that Lin Xiao described, solved the problem of power! It was an absolute power that was enough to protect everything and create the future! Food, medical care, weapons! What do these three mean when combined? This means that Qinglin County will have unprecedented cohesion and combat effectiveness! It means that they will have the confidence to change their own destiny and even change the entire Great Zhou situation! “Sir…” Song Qinghe’s lips moved, he was so excited that he could hardly speak. Zhang Fuan clenched his fists tightly, with a fiery light flashing in his eyes. Outside the valley, on a hillside about a mile away, the grass was shaking violently. Two men, dressed in ordinary clothes but with sharp eyes, were now slumped on the ground, their faces even grayer than the dust raised by the explosion. One of the younger men, his face as pale as paper, his lips trembling, pointed in the direction of the explosion in the distance, his voice distorted : “Heaven…heavenly thunder! It’s heavenly thunder! That Lin Xiao…he…he can trigger heavenly thunder! God…he is a god who has descended to earth!” The older man next to him was also terrified and had cold sweat soaking his back, but his mind was still relatively clear. He suddenly raised his hand and slapped his companion hard. “Bang!” “God damn it!” the older man cursed in a low voice, his voice trembling undisguisedly. “Are you blind? Didn’t you see they were the ones who ignited it? That’s… that’s a newly manufactured weapon! A weapon of immense power!” He stared at the young figure in the center of the distant valley, his heart beating wildly. “Hurry! Let’s go! We must send this news back to the capital immediately! This Lin Xiao… is too scary!” The older man climbed up using his hands and feet, pulled his still dazed companion, crawled into the dense forest, and fled for his life in the direction of the capital. However, their whereabouts, which they thought were hidden, had long been reported to Lin Xiao by Maoqiu. High in the sky, the fur ball let out a low cry. Lin Xiao looked up at the sky, and a barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. He just wanted to get the word out. Today’s Qinglin County is like a rice field that has just begun to ear. What it needs is time and stability, rather than being immediately involved in war. Letting the emperor in the capital and the various forces eyeing Qinglin County know that he has such a “powerful weapon” in his hands may make them cautious and dare not act rashly. Deterrence is sometimes more effective than direct action. Chapter 263 Deterrence “Sir, this gunpowder…” Zhang Fuan rubbed his hands and moved closer to Lin Xiao, his eyes flashing with excitement. “Look, this research…” Lin Xiao smiled and looked at him: “I’ll leave this matter to you, Fuan. Find more reliable and skilled craftsmen, especially blacksmiths and carpenters, and continue the research. Remember, safety first. Follow the rules I give you strictly and don’t make any mistakes.” “Ah! Okay! Don’t worry, sir!” Zhang Fuan nodded excitedly and promised, patting his chest, “I will definitely get this done perfectly!” Seeing Zhang Fuan eager to get into the workshop and get to work, Lin Xiao smiled, ordered Sun Mingde to take people to clean up the scene, and then turned and left the valley. The matter of gunpowder has come to an end for now. The foundation has been laid, and all that remains is continuous improvement and application. A few days later, in the capital, the imperial palace, the throne room. The atmosphere was so oppressive that it seemed frozen. Sitting on the dragon throne, the young emperor Li Yan looked pale, his hand holding the secret report was shaking slightly, and his eyes were full of disbelief. “…According to reports from spies who risked their lives, they witnessed Lin Xiao testing a substance called ‘gunpowder’ in a valley outside the county. The sound was like thunder, and the power was so immense that it could instantly flatten half a mountainside, sending rubble and dust flying and obscuring the sky. It’s suspected to be some kind of sorcery that can unleash thunder and fire from the heavens…” “My lords, please speak.” Li Yan’s voice was a little dry, and his eyes swept over the civil and military officials below who were silent as a mouse. There was dead silence in the hall. After a while, someone spoke cautiously. “Your Majesty, this matter… could it be that the spies are exaggerating? How can human power trigger the thunder in the sky? Blow up the mountain wall? I have never heard of it before, and I am afraid it is a false report.” The speaker was the Minister of Rites, with a look of disbelief on his face. “Hmph, a false report?” The Minister of War snorted coldly and stepped out. “The Jinyiwei’s spies are always cautious. How could they joke about such a military and national matter? In my opinion, it is better to believe it than not! If Lin Xiao really possesses such a powerful weapon, it will be a serious threat to our Great Zhou!” “Then what do you think, Lord Shangshu?” Prime Minister Zhou Mubai’s hair and beard were all white, and his brows were furrowed at this moment. The Minister of War raised his head and said, “Of course, we must seize the opportunity to seize this monster while it is still weak. We must mobilize the army and wipe it out in one fell swoop! We must not let this monster become stronger!” “Mobilize the army?” The new Minister of Revenue stepped forward with a bitter face. “That’s easy for you, Your Excellency! The treasury is empty now, how can we afford to mobilize a large army to invade Qinglin County? The money that Cui Ling’s mansion confiscated last time was used by His Majesty to build a palace. The rest is barely enough to support the new army and provide disaster relief. It’s already stretched to the limit!” “Why would we need a large army for just Lin Xiao? We can select elite soldiers and generals, launch a surprise attack on Qinglin, capture and kill Lin Xiao, and eliminate the threat ourselves!” “A surprise attack? That’s easy to say! Lin Xiao can drop from the sky and come and go freely. His methods are strange and unpredictable. How can it be a surprise attack?” “In my opinion, comfort is the most important thing…” “Appease? How can we appease him? This man even dared to kill an official appointed by the imperial court. His heart is already distorted!” The court erupted in a clamor. Some advocated war, some advocated peace, some questioned the authenticity of the intelligence, and some were filled with worry. Li Yan’s face darkened as he listened to the quarrel below him. He felt a mixture of fear and a hint of offended anger. A peasant had actually created something that could threaten his imperial power? Zhou Mubai looked at the chaotic court, sighed softly, and stepped out, saying, “Your Majesty, colleagues, please be patient. Regarding the gunpowder, its authenticity still needs to be verified, and its actual power is still unknown. But Lin Xiao is a man who should not be underestimated. I believe the most urgent tasks are, first, to strengthen the defenses of the capital and its surrounding areas to prevent him from causing further trouble; second, to send an envoy to investigate Qing Lin’s true strength. If he can be recruited, that would be the best strategy.” He added, “In addition, the spies also mentioned that Qinglin County seems to be promoting two new crops called ‘potatoes’ and ‘sweet potatoes’. It is said that the yield per mu can reach thousands of kilograms…” “Thousands of kilograms per mu?!” This time, even Zhou Mubai himself felt it was a bit ridiculous. “Hahaha…” A suppressed sneer sounded in the hall. “Prime Minister, have you also been bewitched by Lin Xiao? How many kilograms per mu are produced? That’s not grain, it’s dirt!” “That’s right. Since ancient times, how could there be such a high yield thing? It must be Lin Xiao’s trick to deceive people!” “However…” Zhou Mubai changed the subject, “The rice seeds that have entered the market from Qinglin County do have fuller grains than ordinary rice. The Ministry of Revenue has already planted them on a trial basis, and the yield has indeed increased. I suggest that this rice seed be promoted in the capital and surrounding prefectures to increase grain production.” No one had any objection to the rice seeds that could be seen and touched. Emperor Li Yan waved his hand, “Approved. We’ll investigate the gunpowder issue later! As for the rest, follow the Prime Minister’s instructions. Court dismissed!” Lin Xiao didn’t care about the turmoil in the court. At this moment, he was with Zhang Fuan in the workshop in the backyard that was specially used for researching gunpowder, tinkering with some new gadgets. The table in the workshop was filled with powders of various colors, slender bamboo tubes, twine, paper and clay. Lin Xiao was carefully mixing saltpeter powder, sulfur powder and charcoal powder in different proportions, and adding some ground metal powder, such as iron powder and copper powder. “Brother Xiao, what are we doing? These are colorful and look very beautiful.” Zhang Fuan, who was helping on the side, asked curiously. After following Lin Xiao in studying gunpowder these days, he has already mastered the basic preparation of black gunpowder, but what Lin Xiao is making now is obviously different. “Let’s do something fun.” Lin Xiao, without even raising his head, picked up a thin tube made of cardboard and carefully filled it with the mixed powder. He first filled in a layer of fine grained black powder for ignition, then a layer of “effect powder” mixed with metal powder that can produce a flame of a specific color, then pressed on a thin layer of clay as a partition, followed by another layer… and so on. “This…isn’t this for making firecrackers?” Zhang Fuan looked at the formed paper tube and understood a little. “I guess so, but they’re just bigger and better looking firecrackers.” Lin Xiao picked up a finished paper tube and held it up to the light. “I call it ‘fireworks’.” He picked up another bamboo tube and filled it with different layers of medicinal powder, adding different metal powders to each layer. “Look, if you add copper powder, it will produce green light when burning; if you add iron powder, it will produce golden sparks; if the proportion of saltpeter is higher, the burning will be more intense and can fly higher…” Lin Xiao explained to Zhang Fuan the effects of different formulas while doing it. Zhang Fuan was fascinated by what he heard. He never thought that this black gunpowder could be used in so many ways. The two of them worked for most of the day, and a small pile of “fireworks” of various shapes piled up on the table, including single sky rockets, small “rockets” that could be fired continuously, and some large fireworks that were prepared to explode into various patterns. “Hey, Brother Xiao, if we set this off during the New Year or other festivals, it will definitely be much more lively than dry firecrackers!” Zhang Fuan picked up a finished firework and couldn’t let it go. Lin Xiao remained noncommittal: “When the time comes, we’ll set off the fireworks we made ourselves to cheer everyone up.” Zhang Fuan nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of anticipation. Following Brother Xiao, there would always be endless new things to do, and a different future to behold. Chapter 264 Fireworks night. On the city wall of Qinglin County, teams of personal guards stood solemnly, isolating a section of the city wall near the south. Zhang Fuan was leading a team of soldiers, carefully fixing oddly shaped paper tubes and bamboo tubes on special wooden frames, or burying them in wooden boxes filled with sand, with long fuses dragging outside. Zhang Fuan’s forehead was covered in sweat. He was both nervous and excited. He wiped it from time to time and carefully checked the connection of the lead wires. Although he participated in the production of these “things”, tonight was the first time he was showing them. He was really unsure and worried that something might go wrong in any link. Not long after, Lin Xiao brought Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Sister Lin and other girls to the top of the city wall, chatting and laughing. “Husband, why did you call us to this city wall in such a mysterious way? It’s pitch dark.” Yan Ruoxi looked around curiously, her eyes shining when she saw the strange things Zhang Fuan and the soldiers were fiddling with. “Yes, Brother Xiao, Brother Fuan and the others also made these… What is this?” Yan Ruotong also looked at it curiously. Sister Lin stood gently beside Lin Xiao, her eyes fixed on the soldiers and the objects on the ground with a hint of inquiry. Liu Ruyan was relatively calm. She knew that Lin Xiao could always come up with something new, but she didn’t know what it would be this time. “I’ll show you something good later.” Lin Xiao smiled mysteriously and pointed at the night sky. “I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it. It’s sure to be something you’ll love.” The girls’ curiosity was completely aroused, and they chattered and speculated. Zhang Fuan was already ready. He trotted over and bowed to Lin Xiao, saying, “Brother Xiao, everything is ready.” Lin Xiao nodded and motioned him to step back. He walked to the edge of the city wall, facing the cool night breeze, his eyes swept over the beautiful faces full of expectation around him, then looked at the dim lights of thousands of houses below the city, and shouted loudly: “Release!” A personal soldier received the order and immediately stepped forward and used a fire starter to light the fuses of the outermost row of thin bamboo tubes. “Shh—shh—” The fuse burned, emitting white smoke and a slight sound. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the fast moving sparks, and even their breathing subconsciously became lighter. “call out !” Several sharp sounds of breaking through the air were heard! Immediately afterwards, several flames with long tails shot straight into the night sky! “Wow!” Yan Ruoxi couldn’t help but exclaim. The flames suddenly stopped in the sky, and then— “Bang! Bang! Bang!” A series of crisp explosions erupted in the sky! In an instant, the dark night seemed to be set on fire! Huge “flowers,” composed of countless points of light, blossomed brilliantly in the sky! Some resembled golden peonies in full bloom, graceful and elegant; others resembled scattered silver dandelions, light and elegant; and still others resembled emerald green weeping willows, swaying gracefully and gracefully! Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple… the colorful lights instantly illuminated the entire night sky, and also reflected the faces of everyone on the city wall in a variety of colors! “Oh my god…” “What a nice view……” The girls were completely stunned. They tilted their heads back, opened their mouths, and stared at the wonder in the sky that they had never seen before, their eyes filled with shock. Immediately afterwards, more fireworks were lit. “Swish, swish, swish—” “Boom! Snap! Crack!” The sharp whistling sounds, dull explosions, and crisp crackling sounds intertwined together and resounded through the sky! The night sky suddenly became extremely lively. Some fireworks are like golden dragons soaring into the sky, dancing in a winding manner; some are like fairies scattering flowers, sprinkling light rain all over the sky; and some, after exploding, form huge concentric circles, layer upon layer, so beautiful! The light shines as bright as day! “It’s so… so beautiful!” Yan Ruoxi’s face flushed with excitement. She jumped up and down, holding her sister Yan Ruotong’s hand. “Husband! What is this? Is it a flower released by the fairies in the sky?” Yan Ruotong was also dazzled by what she saw and murmured, “How could there be such a marvelous sight in the world…” Liu Ruyan’s eyes were shining brightly. She looked at the gorgeous fireworks and was deeply shocked again. Zhang Fuan, who was standing a little further away, was also stunned. Although he knew the principles and made these things by himself, when they actually bloomed in the night sky, the shock and beauty were far beyond his imagination! The fireworks continued to rise and bloom, decorating the night sky like a dreamland. Yan Ruoxi chattered excitedly, pointing at the new patterns exploding in the sky, and then pulling Lin Xiao to ask questions. Mrs. Lin was much quieter, just looking at the fireworks in the sky gently with a satisfied and happy smile on her face. She quietly reached out and held Lin Xiao’s hand. Lin Xiao felt the warmth in her palm and turned to look at her. She had watery eyes and gently rested her head on Lin Xiao’s shoulder. [Ding! Sister Lin’s favorability increased by +8, currently at 72.] The system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. Lin Xiao smiled slightly, held Sister Lin’s hand tightly with his backhand, and looked up at the gorgeous night sky again, feeling a sense of satisfaction in his heart. When we come to this world, there are many things that are beyond our control. He originally wanted to live a stable life with a wife and children, but he ended up in his current position step by step. Although the process was full of twists and turns, it feels really good to be able to use my knowledge from the future to bring some changes to this era and to see the people around me smile happily because of me. The technologies and cultures that were taken for granted in previous lives can now cause a huge sensation and actually change people’s lives. The feeling of creating and changing the world with his own hands gradually helped him, a man who originally had no great ambitions, find new goals and fun. While there was jubilation on the city wall, the scene below the city was quite different. When the fireworks first started, the huge noise and sudden bright light terrified the people in the city. “What’s going on? Is there thunder?” “Is there a fire? Where does the light come from?” “Heavenly punishment! It’s heavenly punishment!” Many people were so frightened that they fell to their knees and kowtowed towards the sky, thinking that it was a manifestation of the gods or that they had angered heaven. For a moment, the city was in chaos, with cries and prayers mixed together. But soon, someone discovered that the light came from the direction of the city wall, and it was caused by Lin Xiao. Gradually, the news began to spread. “Have you heard? It was placed on the city wall by the county governor!” “Mr. County Magistrate? What did he release? Could it be the legendary immortal magic?” “It’s not a magical technique. I heard it’s something called ‘fireworks’ invented by adults, specifically for celebrations! It’s similar to the firecrackers during Chinese New Year, but ten thousand times more beautiful!” “Oh my god! The county magistrate is truly an amazing person! He can even create such a celestial scene!” When the people learned that this beautiful “celestial phenomenon” was caused by Lin Xiao, their panic quickly turned into even more fanatical worship and awe. “The county magistrate is truly a god descending to earth!” “Yes! It can attract heavenly thunder and release fairy flowers! Our Qinglin County is blessed!” “Quick! Go to the city wall and take a look! Get some of the fairy spirit!” For a time, the sayings “Lin Xiao is a god who has descended to earth” and “The county magistrate can understand the will of heaven” spread rapidly throughout Qinglin County like wings, and Lin Xiao’s status in the hearts of the people was completely deified. Chapter 265 Industrial Technology After the fireworks faded, the night sky returned to silence, leaving only the faint smell of gunpowder lingering in the air. “Husband, that thing just now… was like so many stars exploding. Can it happen again?” Yan Ruoxi was still unsatisfied and pulled Lin Xiao’s arm and shook it gently. “Okay, it’s time to go back.” Lin Xiao smiled and rubbed Yan Ruoxi’s hair. He turned around first and led everyone down the city wall. However, as soon as they walked down the stairs, the scene before them made the group slightly stunned. I saw that at the foot of the city wall and on both sides of the street, people were kneeling densely! Everyone looked pious and reverent, bowing towards Lin Xiao. “Mr. County Magistrate, your majesty is mighty!” “Gods, come down to earth and bless our Qinglin County!” The sound of kowtows was like a tsunami, and many people were so excited that they burst into tears. Lin Xiao walked in the middle, Yan Ruoxi and the others followed behind, looking at this pilgrimage like scene, and for a moment they were a little at a loss. There was no expression on Lin Xiao’s face, he just kept walking forward. He knew that this almost blind worship was due to the cognitive limitations of the people of this era and their extreme desire for a better life. The fireworks just happened to ignite the hopes in their hearts. He did not stop to accept the kowtows, nor did he shout to stop them, but just walked through the crowd in silence. Wherever he passed, the people automatically made a path for him, but they still knelt on the ground and refused to get up. It was not until the figures of Lin Xiao and his group disappeared at the end of the street that the kneeling people stood up one after another, still with excitement and awe on their faces, as they discussed the miracle that had just happened in twos and threes. Return to the county magistrate’s office. The lobby of the mansion was brightly lit, and Song Qinghe, Sun Mingde and several core officials were already waiting there. They had also seen the spectacular fireworks display on the city wall. At this moment, shock still lingered on everyone’s face. “The master is back.” Song Qinghe stood up and saluted first, and the others followed quickly. “Please sit down.” Lin Xiao waved his hand and walked to the main seat and sat down. Yan Ruoxi and the others tactfully went back to the backyard. “Sir, that… that ‘fireworks’ just now, it was truly a masterpiece of nature, a work of genius!” Song Qinghe was the first to speak, his tone full of amazement, “I never imagined that there would be such a magnificent sight in this world!” Zhang Fuan also sighed, “Yes, once this thing comes out, not to mention ordinary people, even those who are well informed will be fascinated by it. Just now, the people in the city have already worshipped you as a god.” Sun Mingde chuckled, “Brother Xiao’s work is truly amazing! That movement just now was so fucking beautiful!” Lin Xiao looked at their excited expressions and smiled slightly: “This thing is not only good for viewing, but also for making money.” “Make money?” Everyone was stunned. “That’s right.” Lin Xiao nodded. “The production cost of these fireworks is not high. They are mainly made of saltpeter, sulfur, charcoal, some paper tubes, bamboo tubes, and some metal powder to produce color. The cost of an ordinary sized sky rocket is only one or two taels of silver at most.” He paused and looked at everyone: “How much do you think a firework like this, which can bloom into a gorgeous flower in the night sky, can be sold outside?” Song Qinghe’s eyes lit up, and he pondered, “This thing is extremely novel, and it was made by you, my Lord. If it were sold to the wealthy places in the south of the Yangtze River, or to the powerful families in the capital, and used for banquets during festivals, it would be worth a fortune!” Zhang Fuan nodded repeatedly: “That’s right! Those rich people love this kind of novel and beautiful stuff the most! Not to mention a hundred taels, even if it’s sold for two hundred taels, I’m afraid there will be people scrambling to buy it!” “The cost is one tael, but it sells for a hundred taels, or even more.” Lin Xiao’s mouth curled up. “How’s that for the profit?” “Hiss——” Everyone couldn’t help but gasp. This is simply a money grab! “So,” Lin Xiao continued, “Fuan, next, in addition to gunpowder, we must also focus on the production of fireworks. Select reliable craftsmen, set up a special workshop, and produce more. We can keep some of it for our own use during festivals, and give the rest to the caravans to be shipped out and sold.” “Yes, sir!” Zhang Fuan immediately accepted the order, his face flushed with excitement. This is another way to make a fortune! “This matter must be kept confidential. The formula is the key and must not be leaked.” Lin Xiao warned. “Don’t worry, sir. I understand!” Afterwards, Song Qinghe briefly reported on his recent work. The promotion of potato and sweet potato cultivation went very smoothly. The first batch of trial plants grew well and the people were very enthusiastic. The popularization of the “Barefoot Doctor Manual” is also progressing steadily. Medical points in various villages have begun to play a role, and the mortality rate of some common diseases has dropped significantly. Everything is moving in a good direction. After discussing some details, everyone dispersed, preparing to implement the fireworks industry as soon as possible according to Lin Xiao’s deployment. It’s late at night and everyone is asleep. When Lin Xiao returned to the bedroom, Mrs. Lin was already fast asleep. She slept on her side, breathing evenly, and her peaceful sleeping face had a soothing gentleness. Lin Xiao gently tucked the quilt into Mrs. Lin’s arms, feeling the soft body in his arms, and his heart was at peace. He closed his eyes and let his consciousness sink into the system. “System, draw a lottery.” [Ding! The lucky draw begins…] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: A complete set of steel industry technology and related memories from the 1950s and 1960s!] boom! A huge and profound torrent of information instantly flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind! From the most basic traditional steelmaking method to the principles and process of blast furnace ironmaking and converter steelmaking; From the identification, screening, and proportioning of various ores to the refining of coke and the manufacture of refractory materials; Then comes the subsequent forging, rolling, heat treatment and other metal processing technologies… Countless drawings, data, formulas, and operating procedures were extremely clear, as if he had personally experienced that fiery era and operated those machines and equipment with his own hands! Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, with incredible ecstasy flashing in his eyes! Steel! This is the backbone that truly supports the rise of a civilization and an industrial system! With it, it means that sharper and more durable farm tools can be manufactured! Plowshares and sickles that dig deeper and harvest faster will lead to another leap in agricultural production efficiency! Later, you can create muskets and cannons that can fire continuously and have great power! Solid plate armor and sharp swords will no longer be the exclusive domain of a few elite warriors! In short, only with steel can we create more precise and powerful machines! Whether improving existing facilities or laying the foundation for possible future steam engines, steel is an indispensable material! This is simply a god level technology tailor made for this era! It is not like the cutting edge technologies of later generations, which require a huge industrial system and high costs to support. Many technologies can be initially applied with relatively simple equipment and manpower, which is very suitable for the current situation in Qinglin County! Lin Xiao’s heart was pounding, and an irrepressible excitement was surging in his chest. He seemed to have seen it: blast furnaces standing in rows, machines roaring, and a brand new industrialized Qinglin County rising ! And all of this will be created by him personally! Chapter 266 Blast Furnace Ironmaking The next morning, Lin Xiao got up early and sent someone to call Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan’s eyes were a little dark, obviously he was too excited last night and didn’t sleep well. “Brother Xiao! Are you looking for me?” “Fuan,” Lin Xiao walked up to him with a hint of excitement, “organize a group of people, especially the best stonemasons and bricklayers in our county, and follow me to the outskirts of the city to do something big.” “Big news? Brother Xiao, what are we going to do?” It was rare to see Lin Xiao so excited, and Zhang Fuan’s curiosity was completely aroused. “Steelmaking!” Lin Xiao spat out two words, “We’re going to build a blast furnace and make real steel!” “Steelmaking?” Zhang Fuan was stunned. He’d seen a blacksmith’s shop before, and he knew the clanging of ironwork, but what were these “steelmaking” and “blast furnace”? He’d never even heard of them. “Yes.” Lin Xiao looked at his bewildered expression and patiently explained, “The steel we refine is much harder and more resilient than iron. With steel, we can make better farm implements, better tools, and… sharper weapons and stronger armor.” Zhang Fuan didn’t quite understand what he was saying, but he grasped the key point—this thing is better than iron! And Brother Xiao wanted to make it himself! It must be right! “Okay! Brother Xiao! I’ll call someone right away!” He stopped asking questions, turned around and ran out, fearing that he would delay Lin Xiao’s important matter. Outside Qinglin County, an open area was selected near the valley where gunpowder tests were previously conducted. The terrain here is relatively flat and close to water sources, which also makes it convenient to transport ores and fuel that may be needed in the future. In the following days, this place became a bustling construction site. Hundreds of craftsmen and laborers were organized and started an unprecedented project under the personal command of Lin Xiao. No one knew what the county magistrate was going to do. They only saw that large amounts of bluestone, clay, and wood were transported to the construction site every day. Lin Xiao himself devoted himself here wholeheartedly. Based on his memory of early blast furnaces and combined with existing materials and technical conditions, he drew a relatively simple blueprint. “Look here,” Lin Xiao pointed to a conical structure on the blueprint. “This is the furnace body. It should be wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, like an upside down cup. The key is the inner wall; it needs to be made of refractory material.” “Refractory?” A group of craftsmen gathered around the blueprint, looking confused. “It’s a material that can withstand extremely high temperatures.” Lin Xiao explained, “Ordinary bricks and stones won’t work. They’ll crack or even melt after a few burns. We need to use special soil, mix it with some other ingredients, and burn it into refractory bricks.” So, the first step is to find the right clay. Lin Xiao and his men ran almost all over the hills around Qinglin County, dug up soil samples one after another, and conducted simple firing experiments. Finally, a kind of clay with a fine texture and yellowish white color was found deep in the valley. After being fired at high temperature, it is not easy to crack or deform. Next comes the making of refractory bricks, which is another challenge. The temperature of ordinary brick kilns is not high enough and the bricks fired do not meet the requirements. Lin Xiao also instructed the craftsmen to improve the brick kiln, raise the chimney, change the way fuel was added, and successfully raised the kiln temperature by a significant amount. The craftsmen marveled at the burnt earthen bricks that had been burned to a faint glow. They had never imagined that there were so many tricks to burning bricks. With the refractory bricks, the construction of the blast furnace officially begins. The foundations were dug, the furnace bottom and outer shell were built with large stones, and then the inner lining was carefully built with refractory bricks. The furnace body must be airtight and leak proof. Under Lin Xiao’s personal direction, the craftsmen meticulously built it. “We need to leave a few holes here,” Lin Xiao pointed at the lower part of the furnace. “These are the air vents. We’ll be blowing air in later.” “Blowing air?” an old stonemason asked doubtfully. “Like forging iron?” “Yes, but the required wind volume is much larger.” Lin Xiao nodded, “We need to build several large bellows and use water power or animal power to drive them.” In order to solve the blowing problem, Lin Xiao led the carpenters to research and make large piston bellows. The entire construction site was bustling with activity. The stonemasons mined and polished stones, and the clanking sounds were endless. The bricklayers mixed special mud and carefully built the furnace body. Carpenters worked on the other side, making bellows and various auxiliary tools, while a large number of laborers were responsible for transporting materials and digging ditches. As time passed, a huge building that was incompatible with this era finally stood up on the construction site. It is like a huge stone tower, several feet high, with a huge water wheel connected to the side. The water wheel drives several huge bellows made of cowhide. The bellows are connected to pipes and lead to the air vents under the furnace body. A wooden bridge is built on the top of the furnace to facilitate pouring raw materials from above. The entire building exudes a rough and powerful industrial atmosphere, which shocks everyone who sees it for the first time. The blast furnace ironworks has been initially built! Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and other core members of Qinglin County came to the scene at Lin Xiao’s call. They stood in front of the blast furnace, looking up at this huge building they had never seen before, with surprise and confusion on their faces. The huge furnace body is made of specially fired bricks. The surface is a bit rough, but it is extremely strong. Huge stones are piled at the bottom of the furnace. The several huge wooden bellows next to them are even more eye catching. They are huge in size and complex in structure, and it is obvious at first glance that they are not ordinary objects. “Sir!” Song Qinghe and others saluted Lin Xiao. “Here we are.” Lin Xiao smiled and pointed at the blast furnace in front of him, “How is it? This is where we will make steel in the future.” “Sir, this… this is the… blast furnace?” Song Qinghe walked forward and looked at the huge object carefully, his eyes full of inquiry. “Exactly.” Lin Xiao nodded. “To put it simply, it involves adding iron ore, fuel, and limestone in a certain proportion from above, and then blowing in high temperature air from below to allow them to undergo a chemical reaction at high temperatures, separating the iron from the ore and turning it into molten iron. This molten iron can be processed to produce pig iron or further refined into steel.” He tried his best to explain in simple language, but Song Qinghe and others were still confused. They knew iron ore could be made into iron, but they had never seen this method. In their minds, iron ore was just burned in a small furnace and then hammered. “Sir, this thing… can really produce something better than iron?” Li Dequan touched the furnace body and still felt it was a bit mysterious. “Of course.” Lin Xiao said confidently, “Moreover, the output is huge, and the quality is far superior to the current iron. With it, we can create stronger weapons, more efficient tools, and even… build things never before seen in our time.” He did not describe the blueprint for the future in detail, but just the words “huge output”, “better quality” and “unprecedented things” were enough to make everyone present’s heart beat faster. They had already seen the high yield crops and gunpowder brought by Lin Xiao, and knew very well what the “change” that this adult mentioned meant. “Sir, when do we start?” Song Qinghe asked impatiently. “Everything is ready, start now. Light the fire!” Lin Xiao gave the order calmly. Chapter 267: Iron Torrent Following Lin Xiao’s order, several craftsmen who had been prepared long ago, holding torches, carefully approached the several reserved openings at the bottom of the blast furnace and ignited the dry firewood and flammable materials. “Add charcoal!” Lin Xiao commanded in a deep voice. The laborers who had been prepared long ago carried baskets of bright black charcoal, crossed the wooden bridge on the top of the furnace, and carefully poured them into the furnace. “Open the bellows!” Following the order, the soldier in charge of the waterwheel pulled a huge lever. The gears connected to the waterwheel began to rotate, driving the huge cowhide bellows, which began to work with a “wheezing” sound. Strong airflow passes through the pipes and is pressed into the bottom of the furnace. The flames in the furnace received oxygen and suddenly jumped up, the flames instantly became blazing! The temperature began to rise rapidly. Standing near the blast furnace, you can already feel a scorching heat wave coming towards you. “In order, a layer of iron ore, a layer of limestone, a layer of charcoal, add!” Lin Xiao stared at the flickering flames at the furnace mouth and gave orders in an orderly manner. Following the instructions, the workers alternately put the screened red iron ore, crushed limestone and charcoal into the furnace from the top. As time passed, the temperature inside the furnace became higher and higher. Through the observation hole, one could even see that it was already a dazzling white incandescence. The wheezing of the bellows grew louder and louder, like the breathing of a giant beast. The entire blast furnace vibrated slightly, emitting a low humming sound. Watching the huge furnace mouth continuously swallowing up the materials, Song Qinghe and others held their breath and dared not make a sound. Although they did not fully understand the reason behind this, they knew from looking at the posture that this was completely different from the small scale iron smelting in ordinary blacksmith shops. “Almost done!” Lin Xiao observed the heat, asked someone to add more materials a few times, and estimated the time, “Get ready to cast the iron!” Several of the most experienced blacksmiths, wearing thick protective gear and holding long iron rods, walked to the iron outlet at the bottom of the blast furnace under Lin Xiao’s guidance. It was blocked with refractory mud. “open!” The old blacksmiths used all their strength to hammer the iron rods towards the iron outlet! “Bang!” The refractory clay was chiseled open! In an instant, a dazzling golden white torrent suddenly gushed out from the iron outlet! “laugh ” The scorching hot molten iron sent out countless flying sparks, making people standing a few feet away feel their cheeks burning, and they subconsciously took a few steps back! “Iron! It’s molten iron!!” An old blacksmith was so excited that his voice changed! I saw the golden white molten iron flowing out from the iron outlet continuously, along the guide trough that had been dug long ago and covered with dry sand, and flowing to the molds made of sand next to it. It was completely different from the iron making method they had seen in the past, where it took a long time of hammering to get a small piece of wrought iron. The scene before them was like a river pouring down from the sky! The molten iron flowed out as if it were free! “Oh my god…” Li Dequan opened his mouth wide enough to fit an egg, his eyes wide open, and muttered, “This…how much iron does this have to contain…” Song Qinghe was also shocked. He stared at the flowing molten iron, and his breathing became rapid. He was the person in charge of various affairs in the county and knew the annual output of the official ironworks in the entire Qinglin County. Those were all produced by the craftsmen with hard work, hammering them out one by one, and the quantity was extremely limited. But this furnace in front of me… looking at the situation, the molten iron flowing out is probably more than a few hundred kilograms, maybe even thousands of kilograms! The molten iron quickly filled more than a dozen sand molds. The workers quickly blocked the iron outlet with refractory mud, and under Lin Xiao’s command, they opened the slag outlet on the other side, which was slightly higher, to discharge the molten slag. The air was filled with a hot smell mixed with sulfur and metal. When the molten iron in the sand mold cools down slightly and turns dark red, several workers use tongs to take the heavy, rough iron ingots out of the mold and set them aside to cool. This is the first product produced by the blast furnace pig iron! Although it still needs further processing to become higher quality steel or wrought iron, this output and efficiency have completely overturned the cognition of everyone present! “Success! Sir! It’s really a success!” Zhang Fuan’s face flushed with excitement. He rubbed his hands and ran to Lin Xiao. He looked at those iron ingots as if he were looking at rare treasures. Lin Xiao also showed a satisfied smile on his face. He walked forward, picked up a hammer, and hit a piece of pig iron ingot that had almost cooled down hard. “when!” With a crisp sound, only a shallow mark was left on the iron ingot. “Good iron! This iron is brittle, but its hardness far exceeds that of ordinary wrought iron! If it’s further processed by frying or pouring steel, it will become real steel!” Lin Xiao weighed the hammer, his eyes gleaming with excitement, “With this blast furnace, our Qinglin County will no longer be short of high quality iron and steel!” Song Qinghe walked over quickly, his voice trembling a little: “Sir! Your humble servant… Your humble servant made a rough estimate. The molten iron produced by this furnace just now is probably… I’m afraid it’s no less than 1,500 kilograms! If… if this blast furnace can smelt iron day and night, even if it only smelts two furnaces a day, that would be 3,000 kilograms a day! In a year…” The more he calculated, the more alarmed and excited he became, his voice rising. “That’s nearly a million kilograms of iron a year! A million kilograms! This… this is simply… several times, even dozens of times, the annual iron production of the entire Great Zhou court in the past!” “hiss ” Upon hearing this number, everyone around gasped, and then burst into great surprise and enthusiasm! A million pounds of iron! What does this mean? “With so much iron,” Song Qinghe said, his cheeks flushed with excitement, waving his arms. “We can equip all our soldiers with fine iron armor! We can forge steel knives that can cut through iron like mud! Spears! Arrows! Our army will be invincible!” “And farm tools!” Li Dequan also reacted and added excitedly, “How many plowshares can be made? How many sickles? How many hoes? The people will save a lot of effort when farming, and the harvest will be higher! This is a true great merit!” “That’s right!” Lin Xiao took over the conversation, his eyes sweeping across the excited faces of the crowd. “This is just the first blast furnace. Next, we’ll build the second, the third, and even more! We’ll establish dedicated ironmaking plants in places with abundant ore and fuel! We want steel to be churned out like flowing water!” Hearing Lin Xiao’s more ambitious plan, everyone was overwhelmed with emotion and excited beyond words. They seemed to have seen countless sophisticated weapons equipping their soldiers and countless efficient farm tools being distributed to the people. The entire Qinglin County, and even the future world, will undergo earth shaking changes because of this endless torrent of steel! And Lin Xiao is the foundation that supports the rise of a force and changes the entire era! Chapter 268 Steel Pipe! Done! After determining the future direction, Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan and said, “Fuan, this blast furnace is just the first step. The pig iron produced is brittle and hard enough, but not tough enough to be used directly in weapons or key load bearing components.” Zhang Fuan quickly moved closer and listened attentively: “Brother Xiao, what should we do next?” “Next, we need to stir fry and pour steel!” Lin Xiao’s eyes became sharp. “Steel frying means heating pig iron to a semi molten state, stirring it continuously to remove impurities and increase toughness to obtain wrought iron or low carbon steel. Pouring steel is the process of pouring molten pig iron onto wrought iron or scrap iron to fuse them together, creating a higher carbon, harder steel. He looked at Sun Mingde and said, “Mingde, the weapons workshop needs to start preparing. Swords, spears, and arrowheads must all be made from the newly refined steel. Armor, especially plate armor, must also be put on the agenda. I want our soldiers to be armed with the best steel from head to toe! “Yes! Brother Xiao!” Sun Mingde responded excitedly, as if he had already seen a mighty army of steel. Lin Xiao turned to Li Dequan and Song Qinghe: “Uncle Dequan, Mr. Song, the production of agricultural tools is the top priority. “We’ll make a batch of plowshares, sickles, hoes, rakes, etc. using new steel. We need to ensure quality, making them labor saving and durable for the people.” He thought for a moment and added, “This batch of new farm tools cannot be distributed directly. We should set up a farm tool rental office. Citizens can use their household registration to rent these new farm tools at very low interest rates, or even use grain as collateral.” After the autumn harvest, it will be returned or converted into grain for payment. It must be available to everyone who needs it.” “Your Excellency is so kind!” Li Dequan and Song Qinghe looked at each other, both moved. This is a great idea! It not only relieves the pressure on the county treasury, but also benefits the people and promotes grain production. It kills two birds with one stone! “And the most important point,” Lin Xiao’s expression turned serious, “Fuan, when making steel next time, you must pay special attention to improving the quality and homogeneity of the steel. I need a steel with extremely high toughness and strength, capable of withstanding enormous pressure and high temperature… Later on, I will make the gun barrel.” “Guns barrel?” Zhang Fuan was stunned. He had heard this word before, but this was the first time he had associated it with the steelmaking in front of him. Lin Xiao did not explain the principle of the musket in detail, but only emphasized: “This is top secret and the foundation of our future survival. Every step of the steelmaking process must be strictly controlled, and no mistakes can be made. Especially the steel required for the barrel, it must meet my required standards! “Yes! Brother Xiao! I will definitely keep a close eye on it!” Zhang Fuan nodded heavily, remembering the word “gun barrel” firmly in his mind. Although he didn’t understand it, he knew that this was definitely a weapon more powerful than gunpowder! Lin Xiao explained some details, such as the exploration of ore, the storage of coke, the safety of craftsmen, etc. Everyone took the order and left in a hurry with excitement and anticipation, ready to work hard. It was already evening when we returned to the county magistrate’s mansion. Dinner is already prepared. “My husband is back!” Yan Ruoxi was like a happy little bird. She was the first to come forward and naturally helped Lin Xiao take off his dusty robe. Yan Ruotong also came over with a smile and handed over a wet towel: “Husband, you have worked hard.” Mrs. Lin quietly went to prepare hot water. “Are you tired today? Come and sit down and eat.” Yan Ruotong pulled Lin Xiao to sit down. The atmosphere at the dinner table was relaxed. Yan Ruoxi chattered about the interesting things that happened in the mansion during the day, Yan Ruotong occasionally added a few words, and Sister Lin gently picked up some food for Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao stretched out his hand and gently placed it on Yan Ruoxi’s flat belly, then moved it to Yan Rutong’s belly, feeling the warmth there. This kind of warm and comfortable life is what he desires most in his heart. No matter how many achievements you have outside, they cannot compare to the warmth of home at this moment. Blast furnace steelmaking, fireworks workshops, agricultural tool production…all affairs in Qinglin County are progressing in an orderly manner. After the initial busyness, Lin Xiao handed over the specific matters to Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan and others. He himself had a rare moment of free time and prepared to have a good rest. During this period, he spent most of his time in the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion, accompanying Yan Ruoxi and the others. That afternoon, Lin Xiao was blindfolded and playing hide and seek with Yan Ruoxi, Yan Rutong, Liu Ruyan and others in the yard. “Husband! I’m here!” Yan Ruoxi deliberately made a sound not far away, and then quietly slipped away. “Ruoxi, you are cheating!” Lin Xiao followed the voice and moved over, but found nothing. “Hehe, I can’t catch it!” The yard was filled with the girls’ clear laughter and Lin Xiao’s helpless voice, a scene of laughter and joy. Mrs. Lin sat on a stone bench nearby, doing needlework with her hands, watching them laugh and play, with a gentle smile on her face. Just then, Zhang Fuan ran in hurriedly from outside with an uncontrollable joy on his face. “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao!” Lin Xiao pulled off the blindfold and saw that it was Zhang Fuan. He stopped playing and went to meet him: “Fuan? What are you so happy about?” Zhang Fuan ran to Lin Xiao, took a breath, and his face flushed with excitement: “Brother Xiao! It’s done! It’s done!” “What happened?” Lin Xiao’s heart moved, and he vaguely guessed something. “Steel pipes! The kind you wanted!” Zhang Fuan waved his arms excitedly. “According to your method, using the best steel, after repeated forging, drilling, and polishing, the first batch of qualified steel pipes is finally ready!” “Oh?” Lin Xiao’s eyes suddenly lit up when he heard that. “Quick! Take me to see it!” Lin Xiao followed Zhang Fuan and walked quickly towards the workshop specially used for processing steel. As soon as I entered the door, a unique metallic smell mixed with the lingering smell of charcoal fire hit me in the face. There are more than a dozen black metal pipes neatly placed on the table. They are of different lengths, but they have all been carefully polished. The pipe walls are thick and have a cold and hard texture. Lin Xiao stepped forward quickly and picked up a steel pipe about three feet long. It felt heavy in his hand. He carefully examined the mouth of the pipe, then touched the inner wall with his fingers, feeling its smoothness. Then he placed one end of the steel pipe on the ground and stepped on it lightly with his foot. The steel pipe did not move at all and was very tough. “Not bad, not bad!” Lin Xiao weighed the steel pipe with a satisfied smile on his face. “The thickness, toughness, and smoothness of the inner wall have basically met the requirements.” The old blacksmith nearby grinned and said, “Sir, this thing took a lot of effort! According to your method, you first use the best steel to repeatedly forge a solid rod, then use a special drill to drill into it bit by bit, and finally polish it for several days to make a few decent ones.” Zhang Fuan came over and stared at the steel pipe. He couldn’t help but feel curious: “Brother Xiao, what’s the big use of this iron pipe? It took so much effort to make it.” Lin Xiao put down the steel pipe, and his eyes swept over the craftsmen present, finally landing on Zhang Fuan’s face. He smiled mysteriously and said, “Make a new one.” He paused, emphasizing, “Like gunpowder, it can change the rules of the battlefield. It’s an epoch making weapon.” “A groundbreaking weapon?” Zhang Fuan was stunned, then his eyes widened. “Really? As powerful as gunpowder?” He recalled the horrific scene of half of the mountain wall being blown flat that day, and then looked at the ordinary steel pipe in his hand, and his heart began to beat faster involuntarily. “Yes.” Lin Xiao nodded in confirmation. “Then we have to make it quickly and show it!” Zhang Fuan rubbed his hands, the anticipation on his face almost overflowing. Chapter 269 Flintlock In the following days, Lin Xiao almost immersed himself in this newly established, highly confidential weapons workshop. He personally selected several craftsmen with the most exquisite skills, the most meticulous mind, and absolute reliability, including blacksmiths, carpenters, and several young people who were good at delicate work. The first step is to cut the qualified steel pipe into appropriate lengths to serve as the gun barrel. Lin Xiao has extremely high requirements. The barrel must be straight and the inner wall must be as smooth as possible to reduce resistance during firing. At the tail end of the barrel, a small hole needs to be drilled precisely the vent, which is the key to igniting the gunpowder in the barrel. Next came the buttstock. Lin Xiao chose walnut wood, a hard, fine grained wood, and drew the pattern himself. The carpenters carefully cut, planed and polished according to the drawings, not only to make a comfortable shape that was suitable for human grip, but also to precisely dig out grooves on the buttstock to accommodate the barrel and firing device. This requires an extremely high degree of fit, and even the slightest difference may affect the stability and safety of the weapon. The most complex and core part is undoubtedly the production of the firing device. Lin Xiao took out the blueprint he had drawn long ago, which showed the ingenious parts broken down one by one: The anvil (also called a hammer) is curved like a gooseneck, with a flint clamped on the top; the fire hole cover (also called a flint) with a rough friction surface; the gunpowder tank below holds the ignition powder; and the sophisticated spring, sear and trigger inside… These parts are not large, but each one requires high quality steel, which is tempered by blacksmiths and then filed, drilled and quenched bit by bit by fine craftsmen to ensure absolute precision in hardness, toughness and size. The craftsmen had never seen such an exquisite and complex design. They all stared with wide eyes and pondered the drawing over and over again. Lin Xiao patiently explained to them the functions and operating principles of each component, and personally demonstrated the processing points of key parts. “The spring has to be just the right amount of force to force the anvil, but not so hard that the trigger won’t fire.” “The angle and roughness of the flint are crucial to ensure that each strike of the flint produces enough sparks.” “The sear and trigger should work together sensitively, so that a slight pull can release the anvil.” Throughout the workshop, the “swish” sound of files rubbing against metal, the “ding dong” sound of hammers hitting, and the sound of Lin Xiao’s occasional instructions were intertwined. Everyone held their breath and concentrated their attention, fearing that something would go wrong in the work in their hands and delay the birth of this “epoch making weapon.” Another ten days passed. When the last part was carefully installed, and after repeated debugging to confirm that all parts could operate smoothly, the first flintlock rifle of the Great Zhou Dynasty was finally born in the hands of Lin Xiao and the craftsmen! It lay quietly on the workbench, the dark walnut stock emitting a warm luster, while the cold steel barrel and firing mechanism exuded a solemn and murderous aura. “Brother Xiao…is this…a gun?” Zhang Fuan stretched out his hand, wanting to touch it but not daring to, for fear of breaking it. Lin Xiao picked up the flintlock rifle, weighed it, and nodded with satisfaction: “Yes, this is the flintlock rifle.” It’s not enough to have a gun, you also need ammunition. Lin Xiao led his men to start making bullets again. He asked someone to bring the lead ingots left over from the previous steelmaking, set up a crucible, and melt the lead into a silvery white liquid. Then, he took out the bullet mold he had designed long ago two hemispherical grooves put together, with a small hole in the middle. Carefully pour the boiling liquid lead into the mold, open it after cooling, and round, shiny lead bullets will be formed. Next came the production of custom made paper shell bullets. Following Lin Xiao’s instructions, the craftsmen rolled tough paper into small tubes and sealed one end. Then, use a special small spoon to accurately measure a portion of fine grained black powder and pour it into the paper tube, then stuff a lead bullet into it, and finally seal the other end of the paper tube and tie it tightly with fine linen string. In this way, each bullet contains a fixed amount of gunpowder and a bullet. When using it, the shooter only needs to bite open the tail of the paper tube with his teeth, pour a small amount of gunpowder into the gunpowder pool as ignition powder, and then use a cleaning rod to stuff the remaining gunpowder and the lead bullet attached to the paper shell into the barrel. This undoubtedly greatly increases the loading speed compared to loading gunpowder and projectiles separately. Everything is ready. Lin Xiao decided to conduct a test launch immediately. The location was still chosen in the familiar valley outside the city. Zhang Fuan and several core craftsmen involved in the production came along, each with a face full of nervousness and anticipation. Sun Mingde also heard the news and rushed over from the military camp. He was very interested in the peculiarly shaped “new thing” in his hand. On the shooting range, several wooden targets were erected fifty paces apart, their centers circled with white ash. Further away, several fist sized clay pots were hung. Lin Xiao walked to the shooting position and began to load with skillful movements. He picked up a paper shell bullet, bit open the tail of the paper tube with his teeth, carefully poured a small amount of black gunpowder into the gunpowder pool of the firing mechanism, and then covered the firing hole cover. Then he stood the paper tube upright and poured the gunpowder and lead bullets inside into the barrel through the muzzle. Finally, he pulled out the cleaning rod and pressed the ammunition hard. With a click, he cocked the anvil, revealing the sharp flint clamped underneath. The entire reloading process took only a dozen breaths, leaving Sun Mingde’s eyes wide open. He had seen a few matchlock rifles used in the military before, and they were incredibly slow to reload, not this smooth! Lin Xiao picked up the flintlock rifle, put the butt against his shoulder, supported the gun body with his left hand, put his right index finger on the trigger, squinted one eye, and aimed at the center of the wooden target fifty steps away through the simple sight on the barrel. The valley fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of the wind blowing. Everyone’s eyes were focused on Lin Xiao and the gun in his hand. Lin Xiao held his breath and pulled the trigger steadily. “Crack!” The trigger releases the sear, and the spring drives the anvil forward! “Snap!” The flint clamped on the anvil hit the steel surface of the flint hard, and a burst of dazzling sparks burst out! Sparks flew into the gunpowder pool. “puff!” The ignition powder in the gunpowder pool was instantly ignited, and a small amount of white smoke and flames rose up! Immediately afterwards, flames penetrated into the gun barrel through the firing port! “Bang!!!” A dull and loud explosion echoed in the valley! A cloud of thick white smoke spurted out of the muzzle of the gun, and Lin Xiao’s shoulder shook slightly due to the recoil. Almost at the same time as the gunshot, a cloud of sawdust suddenly exploded from the center of the wooden target fifty paces away! A hole the size of a finger clearly appeared at the center of the target! “I got it! I got it!” Zhang Fuan was the first to jump up and shouted excitedly. Sun Mingde rushed forward, ran to the wooden target, reached out and touched the smooth bullet hole, then looked at the hole mark on the back of the target, and gasped: “Oh my goodness… such force!” The craftsmen involved in the production were also shocked. The parts they made with their own hands turned out to be so powerful when combined together! A smile appeared on Lin Xiao’s face, and without stopping, he quickly started the second reloading. This time, he aimed at a clay pot hanging in the distance. “Bang!” Another gunshot was heard, and the pottery jar in the distance shattered, with fragments flying everywhere! “Okay!” Sun Mingde couldn’t help but shout, his fists clenched, his eyes burning. Next, Lin Xiao shot several times in succession, hitting different targets, and even hit a straw target thrown into the air by a soldier. Each gunshot was accompanied by a precise hit and increasingly loud exclamations from the onlookers. The accuracy, power and relatively convenient loading speed of this flintlock rifle completely overturned everyone present’s understanding of firearms! Chapter 270 Dimensionality Reduction Attack Sun Mingde quickly walked back to Lin Xiao, picked up the flintlock rifle, looked at it over and over again, weighed it a few times, his eyes full of heat. “Brother Xiao! This thing… is much more powerful than a bow and arrow!” Sun Mingde couldn’t help but speak, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement: “How much effort does it take to train an archer? Arm strength, eyesight, and accuracy—without a year or two of hard training, you can’t even go to the battlefield! And you have to depend on the weather. If it’s windy or rainy, the bowstring will get damp, and the force will be weakened, and the accuracy will be lost. If you encounter someone wearing armor, unless you are a sharpshooter with a heavy arrow, you can’t penetrate it from a distance!” He raised his flintlock rifle and gestured, “But look at this rifle! Just now, Brother Xiao, you loaded and fired it in one go! With that kind of force, a wooden target fifty paces away looks like paper!” I think even if you were wearing armor, you’d be lying down after getting hit like that! The most important thing is, it’s definitely much faster to learn than with a bow and arrow! As long as you have strength and a decent brain, after a month or so of training, you’ll probably be able to fight in battle!” Sun Mingde became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had already seen an army equipped with such “magic weapons” sweeping across the battlefield. This thing was born for mass military deployment! It’s precise, powerful, relatively user friendly, and weatherproof—it’s truly a groundbreaking weapon! Lin Xiao smiled and said, “You’re right. This flintlock rifle does have obvious advantages over a bow and arrow. But…” He changed the subject, “It also has its drawbacks. The reload speed is still a bit slow. After firing a shot, it needs to be reloaded. This takes more than ten breaths. In the ever changing battlefield, it’s enough time for the enemy to rush in.” When Sun Mingde heard Lin Xiao say it was slow, he was stunned. In his opinion, the loading speed was already very fast. Lin Xiao looked at him and continued, “So, having a gun alone is not enough, you also have to use it correctly. After our soldiers are equipped with this kind of gun, they will no longer be able to charge in a swarm as before, or fight separately and haphazardly.” He stretched out his finger and gestured in the air: “We need to form a neat line, three or four rows. After the first row shoots, it immediately retreats to the back to reload. The second row goes forward to shoot, then retreats to reload, and the third row follows… By taking turns shooting in this way, a continuous firepower network can be formed. The enemy rushed forward, but was met with row after row of bullets, unable to break through our line!” “Continuous…fire network?” Sun Mingde chewed on this new word, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter. As a military commander, he immediately understood the horror of this tactic. “That’s right.” Lin Xiao nodded, “Imagine hundreds and thousands of guns, arranged in a tight formation, raising their guns, aiming, and firing in unison at the command of the officers! “The enemy, whether cavalry or infantry, rushing towards us is courting death! Once they finally get close, we’ll attach bayonets to our guns, turning them into spears, and engage in hand to hand combat!” The scene described by Lin Xiao made Sun Mingde tremble with excitement. He seemed to see the enemy falling in large numbers before the dense rain of bullets, the cavalry’s charge being completely broken up, the infantry phalanx being torn open, and finally, facing the forest of bayonets, they completely collapsed! How could this even be called war? This was sheer slaughter! It was a dimensionality reduction attack on all the military tactics of the old era! “Good! Excellent!” Sun Mingde pumped his fist vigorously, his cheeks flushed red. “Brother Xiao! Let’s practice as you say! This is how our Qinglin County soldiers will fight from now on!” Lin Xiao patted his shoulder, then turned to Zhang Fuan: “Fuan, this flintlock rifle is just the beginning.” Zhang Fuan quickly responded: “Brother Xiao, give your orders!” “Next, the weapons workshop has a heavy task ahead.” Lin Xiao’s expression grew serious. “First, we must continue to improve the manufacturing process of flintlock rifles, increase production and quality, and reduce costs. Second, we need to find ways to increase firing speed. Later, I’ll research firearms that can fire continuously, or even faster reloading methods. The formula of gunpowder must also be refined to increase power and stability.” Zhang Fuan nodded repeatedly, taking Lin Xiao’s words into account. Lin Xiao paused, his eyes becoming penetrating. “Third, and most importantly, I want you to research how to make larger, thicker, and stronger steel pipes.” “Bigger and thicker steel pipes?” Zhang Fuan repeated doubtfully, wondering what this could be used for. “Yes.” Lin Xiao looked at the mountains in the distance and said slowly, “I want to use it to make a cannon!” “Cannon?” Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde were stunned at the same time. This word was completely unfamiliar to them. “What is a cannon?” Sun Mingde asked curiously. Lin Xiao smiled and explained, “You can imagine it as an enlarged version of a gun, an enormous iron pipe. But it doesn’t fire tiny lead bullets, but iron balls weighing several kilograms, dozens of kilograms, or even dozens of kilograms! Or…explosive shrapnel! ” “Several… dozens of kilograms of iron balls?!” Zhang Fuan took a breath of cold air. His scalp went numb just by imagining the scene. “Think about it,” Lin Xiao looked at Sun Mingde, “When we were testing gunpowder before, we blew down half of the mountain wall, but that was just a pile of gunpowder that was ignited. If you put powerful gunpowder into a huge, sturdy iron tube, stuff a heavy iron ball inside, and then ignite and fire it…what kind of power would that be?” Sun Mingde’s eyes widened instantly, and his breathing became rapid! He suddenly remembered the scene of the gunpowder explosion that day, which was like the collapse of the sky and the crack of the earth. The debris flew everywhere, and the smoke and dust blocked the sky. The terrifying power still made him feel scared. “Then… wouldn’t that mean the city walls will be blown down?!” Sun Mingde shouted. “That’s right!” Lin Xiao nodded affirmatively, “A solid city wall can withstand only a few shells from heavy artillery. A single shrapnel bomb can knock down a large area of the enemy’s infantry phalanx! From a few hundred steps, or even a thousand, we can destroy the enemy’s defenses and strike their army! This is the national weapon that can truly determine victory or defeat on the battlefield!” Listening to Lin Xiao’s description, Sun Mingde was so excited that the blood in his body seemed to be burning. If the flintlock changed the way infantry fought, then this “cannon” would completely change the form of war! Zhang Fuan was also excited. Although he was not interested in fighting, he felt a sense of pride and mission when he thought that he could build this devastating “cannon” with his own hands. “Brother Xiao! Don’t worry!” Zhang Fuan patted his chest, his eyes determined. “Don’t mention bigger steel pipes, even if you want the stars in the sky, I can get them down for you!” Lin Xiao looked at his two excited subordinates and nodded with satisfaction. The flintlock rifle was just the beginning; the real killer weapon was yet to come. Chapter 271: Soft as a Finger After returning from the shooting range, Lin Xiao was still excited. As soon as I stepped into the backyard, a melodious music came into my ears, accompanied by light footsteps. Lin Xiao paused and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see Liu Ruyan dancing gracefully in the open space in the middle of the courtyard. Her figure was already excellent, and at this moment, her sleeves fluttered gently, her waist swayed, and every movement was full of classical charm, sometimes like a willow swaying in the wind, sometimes like a startled wild goose reflected in its shadow. The face that usually seemed a little cold, now had a bit of tenderness under the afterglow of the setting sun, and the movement of the eyes had a captivating charm. Pei Xueyi sat upright beside the stone table, playing the piano with her bare hands. The notes flowing from her fingertips were clear and melodious, matching Liu Ruyan’s dance moves perfectly. Occasionally, she looked up at Liu Ruyan with a smile on her lips. Their eyes met, as if they were silently exchanging their thoughts on dance steps and piano music. Soon, Pei Xueyi also stood up and began to dance to the lingering sound of the piano and the rhythm of Liu Ruyan. Her dancing was gentle and soft, complementing Liu Ruyan’s elegant and graceful dance. The two of them were like fairies walking out of a painting, so beautiful. Lin Xiao was a little dazed, until the dance ended, the two of them smiled at each other, with beads of sweat on their foreheads, and he couldn’t help but applaud. “Great! It’s so beautiful!” Applause suddenly broke out, and Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were both startled. They turned around and saw that it was Lin Xiao, and two blushes suddenly appeared on their faces. “Sir…” Liu Ruyan seemed a little embarrassed, lowered her head slightly, and her ears turned a little red. She was usually a quiet person, and she felt a little embarrassed to be caught dancing so freely. Pei Xueyi was also a little shy and bowed: “I’m sorry to make you laugh, sir. I just have nothing to do, so I just want to stretch my muscles with Sister Ruyan.” “It’s not funny at all, it’s simply a feast for the eyes.” Lin Xiao walked forward and exclaimed sincerely, “I was completely mesmerized by what I saw just now.” Hearing Lin Xiao’s praise, the two beauties’ faces turned even redder, but with a hint of joy. At dinner time, the family sat together. Lin Xiao picked up some food for Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, then reached out and gently touched their slightly bulging bellies: “You two should take good care of your babies, and don’t worry about anything else.” “Yes, husband.” The two sisters responded obediently, their faces filled with happiness. After dinner, Lin Xiao felt a little tired, so he lay down on the rattan chair in the yard and took a short nap. In a daze, he felt someone approaching him. When he opened his eyes, he saw Zhang Wanqing standing there, holding a plate of cut fruit. Zhang Wanqing seemed a little different today than usual. She was wearing a fitted dress that outlined her tall and slender figure. What is particularly eye catching is the lower body, a pair of slender and straight legs wrapped in extremely thin black silk, with a unique temptation. Seeing Lin Xiao wake up, Zhang Wanqing’s cheeks turned red instantly, her eyes were a little evasive, her hands were nervously twisting the corners of her clothes, and her hands holding the fruit plate were trembling slightly. “Xiao… Brother Xiao…” Her voice was as thin as a mosquito, her head almost buried in her chest, “I… I saw you fell asleep, so I… I didn’t disturb you…” Lin Xiao sat up and looked at her shy and deliberately dressed appearance. How could he not understand something in his heart? “Come and sit down.” Lin Xiao took the fruit plate and patted the seat next to him. Zhang Wanqing sat down obediently, raised her head, glanced at Lin Xiao quickly, and then quickly lowered it again, her voice trembling with a barely perceptible longing: “Brother Xiao… I… I also want a child…” After she said this, her face was already red as if it was about to bleed, and her whole body was about to burn. Lin Xiao looked at her shy yet expectant eyes, as well as her long legs that looked even more alluring in the dark stockings, and his heart moved slightly. He stood up and gently took Zhang Wanqing’s hand. Zhang Wanqing trembled all over, but did not struggle. She just let Lin Xiao pull her, lowered her head, and her palms were full of sweat. Lin Xiao didn’t say much, just pulled her and turned to walk towards the next room. A few days later, Lin Xiao was in the study looking at the reports on various affairs of Qinglin County sent by Song Qinghe, when Zhang Fuan ran in excitedly. “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! It’s done! The pipe for that big guy has been taken out!” Zhang Fuan’s face flushed red, and he was so excited that his words were a little incoherent. Lin Xiao put down the report, his eyes lit up: “Oh? The gun barrel is made? Take me to see it!” The two hurried to the workshop. As soon as they entered, they saw several craftsmen gathered around a huge, thick, black metal pipe , marveling at it. It lay quietly across several thick wooden frames. It was many times thicker than the flintlock barrel made before, and was seven or eight feet long. The barrel wall was incredibly thick, looking indestructible, and exuding a heavy and cold sense of oppression. Lin Xiao walked forward and took a closer look. He first checked the overall casting condition of the barrel and knocked on it with his hand. The sound was dull and heavy, indicating that there were no large bubbles or cracks inside. He carefully checked the uniformity of the thickness of the pipe wall, touched the smooth inner wall with his hand, and felt the precision of the boring. “What about the material?” Lin Xiao asked. “Brother Xiao, we followed your instructions. We used the finest pig iron smelted in our blast furnace, refined it repeatedly to remove most of the impurities, and then cast it entirely in a clay mold!” An old blacksmith nearby quickly replied, “The wall of this pipe is as thick as a palm at its thinnest point! It’s absolutely solid!” Lin Xiao nodded, and asked someone to bring a ruler. He carefully measured the caliber and length of the gun barrel, which were almost the same as his design requirements. “Very good!” Lin Xiao smiled with satisfaction. “Although there is still room for improvement, as the barrel of the first cannon, it has already passed the test!” He patted the cold barrel, feeling the heavy metal texture, and felt a surge of pride in his heart. “Fuan!” Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan, who was also very excited. “Next, we will start making the gun mount, sights, and ignition device! I want to see our Great Zhou’s first real cannon as soon as possible!” “Yes! Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously, his eyes full of enthusiasm, “Just wait and see!” Chapter 272 Artillery With a qualified gun barrel, the next step is to work around it. Lin Xiao once again gathered a group of the most capable craftsmen and began to develop other parts of this “big guy” and its “rations” artillery shells. “Cannons can’t just hit solid iron lumps.” Lin Xiao gestured at the blueprint, “We need several different types of ammunition.” He picked up a charcoal pencil and began to draw on the ground. “The most basic is the solid bullet. We use our finest molten pig iron, cast into an iron ball roughly the same size as the barrel of the gun. When fired, it relies on weight and speed. It can smash city walls and break through military formations. It’s the most direct way.” The craftsmen gathered around, looking at the rough sketch of the sphere on the ground, and then at the huge gun barrel next to it that required the combined efforts of several people to move. They imagined the scene of such a large iron ball being blasted out, and couldn’t help but click their tongues. “How heavy…how heavy is this?” an old blacksmith couldn’t help but ask. “According to preliminary estimates, this solid bullet weighs about ten pounds,” Lin Xiao estimated. “That’s why the barrel has to be so thick, otherwise it would explode first.” “In addition to solid bullets,” Lin Xiao continued drawing, “we also need to make a shotgun. It’s like a large shotgun, filled with small iron balls, broken iron pieces, or even stones, and fired with a small amount of gunpowder. At close range, it can wipe out a large group of people in one go.” He then drew a jar like object filled with small dots. “There’s another type called a chain bullet. It’s two iron balls connected by a chain. When they’re fired, they spin and dance in the air. They’re specifically used to cut off the masts of enemy ships or destroy large equipment.” Finally, Lin Xiao’s pen tip stopped at a hollow sphere, and he drew a fuse structure next to it. “The most powerful one is this, the shrapnel bomb. It’s a hollow iron sphere filled with gunpowder and fitted with a fuse. After it’s ignited, it’s fired and falls into the enemy’s formation or inside the city, exploding with a loud bang! The power…” Lin Xiao thought for a moment and said, “It’s only stronger than the gunpowder pile we tested last time.” When they heard the words “flowering bomb”, Zhang Fuan and the craftsmen’s eyes widened. The scene of the mountain bombing last time was still vivid in my mind, and now they were actually trying to stuff that thing into an iron ball and shoot it out? This was simply a magical method! “Brother Xiao, this… will this work? Don’t let it fail to explode when fired, or explode in the barrel?” Zhang Fuan was a little worried. “So the casting process and fuse requirements are extremely high,” Lin Xiao said seriously. “The hollow projectile must be uniform, without any pinholes or cracks. The gunpowder filling must be appropriate, and the burning time of the fuse must be precisely calculated. This is the most difficult part, so let’s take it slow and start with solid bullets and shotgun shells.” “Yes!” everyone answered in unison. In the following days, the workshop was bustling with activity. According to Lin Xiao’s requirements, the craftsmen first made molds for various shells with clay, and then carefully poured the molten iron from the blast furnace into the molds. Solid iron balls are the simplest, and heavy, shiny black iron lumps quickly pile up. The container of shotgun shells is also relatively easy to make, the key is the ratio of the filling inside. As for shrapnel bombs, the casting process needs to be repeatedly tested to ensure the strength and airtightness of the hollow bomb body, and progress is relatively slow. Lin Xiao spent most of his time in the workshop, personally directing key steps. Seeing the piles of shells taking shape, he was filled with anticipation. That evening, Lin Xiao was facing a newly assembled gun mount, thinking about how to improve the aiming device, when he heard soft footsteps behind him. He looked back and saw Zhang Wanqing walking towards him with a food box. “Brother Xiao, you’ve been busy all day. Take a break and eat something.” Zhang Wanqing put the lunch box on the table next to her and opened the lid. Inside were some exquisite side dishes and a bowl of fragrant rice porridge. Lin Xiao was indeed a little hungry, so he walked to the table and sat down. Zhang Wanqing walked behind him naturally, stretched out her hand, and gently massaged his shoulders. Lin Xiao closed his eyes, savoring this rare moment of relaxation. The hustle and bustle of the workshop seemed to fade away, leaving only the gentle touch and faint fragrance of the beautiful woman’s fingertips beside him. Suddenly, Zhang Wanqing stopped kneading and her body stiffened slightly. “What’s wrong?” Lin Xiao opened his eyes and turned around to ask. Zhang Wanqing’s face turned pale, her brows were slightly furrowed, and she covered her mouth with one hand, as if she was trying to hold back something. “Nothing… nothing…” She just opened her mouth, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She turned around and ran to the corner, bent over and started to retch. Lin Xiao was stunned, and quickly stood up and followed her, gently patting her back: “Wanqing? What’s wrong with you?” Zhang Wanqing vomited a few times, but didn’t spit out anything. Her face just became paler and cold sweat appeared on her forehead. She stood up, leaned against the wall, and shook her head weakly: “I don’t know what happened, I suddenly felt nauseous…” Lin Xiao looked at her pale face and suddenly something moved in his heart. He remembered something, reached out his hand, and gently placed it on Zhang Wanqing’s wrist. Zhang Wanqing trembled slightly and looked at Lin Xiao with some confusion. Lin Xiao concentrated on feeling the pulse on her wrist. After a moment, he raised his head, a hint of surprise appeared on his face, which then turned into a gentle smile. “Wanqing,” he let go of her hand, his voice filled with certainty, “You… should be pregnant.” “Huh?” Zhang Wanqing suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, a look of disbelief on her face, as if she had heard something out of the blue. “It’s… it’s? It’s… what?” “Silly girl,” Lin Xiao looked at her cute appearance and couldn’t help laughing, “It’s a child, you’re pregnant.” “Child…my…child?” Zhang Wanqing was completely confused. She subconsciously lowered her head, looked at her flat belly, and gently placed her hand on it. An indescribable emotion, a mixture of shock and shyness, instantly surged into her heart, making her freeze there, and her cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye. At this moment, Zhang Fuan hurried in from outside. He was about to find Lin Xiao to report the progress of the gun mount. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Zhang Wanqing leaning against the wall with a pale face, and Lin Xiao was standing in front of her. The atmosphere seemed a little strange. “Brother Xiao? Wanqing? What’s wrong? Wanqing, are you not feeling well?” Zhang Fuan hurried over and asked with concern. Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Wanqing, who was standing there in a daze, her face red as blood, and then looked at Zhang Fuan, who looked concerned. He smiled and patted his shoulder: “Fuan, what a great event.” “Happy event? What happy event?” Zhang Fuan was confused. Lin Xiao pointed at Zhang Wanqing and said with a smile: “You are going to be a father, Wanqing is pregnant.” “What?!” Zhang Fuan’s voice suddenly rose, and his eyes were as big as copper bells. “It’s true,” Lin Xiao nodded affirmatively, “I just took her pulse, it can’t be wrong.” After getting the confirmation, Zhang Fuan stood there in a daze, as if he had been struck by lightning. After a few breaths, huge ecstasy overwhelmed him like a tide! He rubbed his hands violently, his face flushed with excitement, his eyes instantly moist, his lips trembling, he wanted to say something but couldn’t, he just kept looking at Zhang Wanqing and grinning foolishly. He walked cautiously to Zhang Wanqing, wanting to touch her but not daring to. He just circled around her twice, the smile on his face growing wider and wider, until he finally grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, and laughed non stop. Chapter 273 Earth shaking After laughing for a while, Zhang Fuan suddenly remembered something. The smile on his face faded, and he looked at Lin Xiao cautiously, with a hint of pleading in his tone: “Xiao…Brother Xiao…then…then if…if it’s a boy…can he…take my surname Zhang?” When he asked this question, he was so nervous that his palms were sweating, fearing that Lin Xiao would disagree. In his heart, this child is Lin Xiao’s offspring, and giving him the surname Zhang is already a great blessing from heaven. Lin Xiao looked at him, who was both excited and nervous, and felt emotional. He nodded and said simply, “Of course, when the child is born, he will naturally have your surname Zhang.” “Hey! Hey! Thank you, Brother Xiao! Thank you, Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan was so excited when he heard this that he almost jumped up. He bowed to Lin Xiao repeatedly, and tears were almost coming out. He had waited so long, and finally he was going to have his own heir! And it was to be the offspring of a figure like Brother Xiao! The Zhang family had an heir! Lin Xiao waved his hand, indicating that he didn’t need to do so. After Zhang Fuan’s excitement had calmed down a bit, Lin Xiao asked, “By the way, you rushed in just now, what happened?” Zhang Fuan then remembered the important matter and quickly wiped his eyes, his face still showing uncontrollable excitement: “Oh! That’s right! Brother Xiao! That big guy… is done! The gun carriage, aiming equipment, and ignition mechanism are all completed according to your drawings! We are just waiting for your inspection, and then we can pull it out to test it!” “Oh? So fast?” Lin Xiao was also cheered up after hearing this, and a look of joy appeared on his face. “Good! Well done! Let’s go and take a look first!” Lin Xiao temporarily put aside the matter of the shells and followed Zhang Fuan to the place where the artillery was placed. I saw a brand new cannon standing quietly in the open space. The heavy, jet black barrel was securely fastened to a sturdy wood and iron carriage. Beneath the carriage sat two massive wooden wheels for easy movement. Mounted at the breech was a relatively simple yet functional aiming scale and a screw mechanism for adjusting the angle. Nearby were long cleaning rods and a torch for ignition. The entire artillery looks majestic and full of cold metallic power. “Not bad!” Lin Xiao walked around the cannon, carefully checking the connections and operation of each component, and nodded with satisfaction. “Fuan, you and the craftsmen have worked hard!” “It’s not hard! It’s not hard! It’s worth it no matter how tired I am to be able to create such a magical object!” Zhang Fuan said proudly. “Since it’s ready, why not do it now?” Lin Xiao made a quick decision. “Send the order down. Have Sun Mingde bring a team of guards and prepare draft horses. Take this cannon and the solid bullets we’ve prepared to the valley outside the city! Today, let’s test the power of this cannon!” “Okay!” Zhang Fuan responded excitedly and immediately ran to pass on the order. Outside the city, there is still the familiar valley. When the black, heavy thing was dragged to the designated location by several draft horses, everyone present couldn’t help but hold their breath. This cannon is so eye catching. The barrel alone, which is thicker than a human leg, is enough to make anyone who sees it feel scared. It squatted there quietly, with the muzzle pointing obliquely at a thick, makeshift earthen wall target a few hundred steps away. “Brother Xiao, this thing… can really blow down the earth wall that far away?” Sun Mingde came close to Lin Xiao and looked at the cannon, still a little bit unbelievable. He had seen the power of flintlock rifles, but this cannon… it felt like something on another level entirely. “You’ll know if it works if you try.” Lin Xiao smiled slightly, his eyes full of confidence. At this moment, Sun Mingde lowered his voice and whispered in Lin Xiao’s ear: “Brother Xiao, a secret sentry just reported that they spotted a few sneaky guys outside our area. They look like… spies from the imperial court.” “Oh?” Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows and looked in the direction Sun Mingde indicated. Sure enough, there were a few vague figures swaying at the edge of the distant forest. The corners of his mouth curled up in an imperceptible arc, and he said lightly: “It doesn’t matter, let them see.” He had already expected this movement. The atmosphere in the valley was solemn. “Get ready!” Lin Xiao ordered in a deep voice. Several burly soldiers immediately stepped forward and began to operate under the guidance of Zhang Fuan and the craftsmen. The first step is to clean the barrel of the gun by inserting a long cleaning rod and wiping it back and forth to ensure that there are no remaining sparks or debris inside. Then, a soldier brought over a powder bag wrapped in thick paper, which contained precisely measured granular black powder. He carefully inserted the powder bag into the muzzle of the cannon and gently tamped it with a cleaning rod. Then, the two soldiers worked together to lift a black, heavy solid iron ball, as big as a bowl, and carefully stuffed it into the barrel to hold the gunpowder bag. Finally, pour a small amount of fine powder as ignition powder into the vent at the breech of the gun. Although the entire loading process was much slower than a flintlock rifle, it was still incredibly fast compared to the preparation time of other weapons of the era, such as catapults and crossbows. Furthermore, this was a cannon! “Adjust the angle!” Lin Xiao stepped forward personally and turned the spiral device behind the gun mount. His eyes moved back and forth between the ruler and the earth wall target in the distance, carefully adjusting the elevation and direction of the muzzle. Sun Mingde, Zhang Fuan, and the others watched intently, not daring to breathe. Even the soldiers guarding the scene stared with wide eyes, curious and nervous, at this unprecedented war machine. “Ignite!” Lin Xiao took a few steps back and waved his hand to give the order. A soldier held a burning torch, took a deep breath, carefully approached the breech, and brought the torch close to the small vent. The primer ignited with a “hiss” and a small puff of white smoke came out. The next moment! “boom!!!!!!” An unprecedented loud noise suddenly exploded! The sound was like thunder in the sky, making the whole valley buzz. People who were close by had their eardrums buzzing and could not hear anything for a while. A strong and pungent smell of gunpowder instantly spread. The huge muzzle spewed out an enormous cloud of thick white smoke mixed with flames, almost engulfing the entire gun body. The heavy gun carriage suddenly stopped backwards under the huge recoil, and the two huge wooden wheels left deep marks on the ground! At the same time, a black shadow that was almost impossible to capture with the naked eye shot out from the muzzle with a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for the thick temporary earth wall hundreds of steps away! Everyone’s eyes subconsciously followed the dark shadow. “Bang!!!!” There was another dull but penetrating bang! The earthen wall, which was more than one person tall and several feet thick, exploded instantly in front of everyone’s horrified gaze! Soil, rocks, debris mixed with smoke and dust splashed and scattered in all directions like a volcanic eruption! When the smoke and dust cleared a little, the earth wall target that had originally stood there had… disappeared! Only a huge gap was left, and a messy ground that looked like it had been plowed! Chapter 274 Sisters’ Thoughts There was deathly silence in the valley. Only the echo of the deafening artillery fire continued to resonate among the mountains. Everyone was stunned by the horrifying scene before them. Their mouths opened wide, their eyes widened, and they stood frozen in place like wooden sculptures. Sun Mingde opened his mouth slightly and his Adam’s apple rolled, but no sound came out. Zhang Fuan also had a dazed look on his face, looking at the damage caused by the “big guy” he had built with his own hands, with a mixture of ecstasy and pride on his face. The craftsmen who participated in the manufacturing were as if they had seen a miracle. Some of them even felt their legs go weak and almost fell to the ground. At the edge of the distant forest, those furtive figures were completely frozen at this moment. They didn’t even notice the telescopes in their hands fell to the ground with a “click”. One of them had a pale face and trembling lips. He seemed to want to say something, but he couldn’t utter a word. What kind of weapon was that? With a loud bang, the earthen wall hundreds of steps away was gone?! Is this… is this the kind of power that humans should possess? After a long while, Sun Mingde suddenly took a breath of cold air. He was the first to react and shouted hoarsely: “Oh my God…” He rushed out in a flash, and the others woke up as if from a dream, followed him and ran towards the target. When they ran closer and looked at the scene in front of them, everyone’s mouths opened again. The originally thick earth wall has turned into a huge, irregular deep pit. The bottom and surrounding areas of the pit were filled with crushed soil and stones, and not even a slightly larger piece of soil could be found. The air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and the fishy smell of exploded soil. Sun Mingde squatted down, grabbed a handful of powdered soil, felt the touch of the completely lost structure, looked at the scope of the deep pit, and felt a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. How could this be called a breakthrough? This was clearly a complete and devastating destruction! If this iron ball hits a person… No, let alone a person, even if it hits the strongest heavy armored infantry phalanx, it will probably hit a large area, and the people around will be shocked to death or crushed to death! If it was against the city gate, it would probably collapse after a few hits like this! “This…this power…” Zhang Fuan muttered to himself, his eyes wildly, “It’s even more powerful than…than the last time we blew up the mountain!” “That’s different,” Lin Xiao walked forward and looked at the masterpiece in front of him with a satisfied smile on his face. “Last time, they just piled it up and exploded it, but this time they concentrate the force and fire it in a targeted direction. This is just a solid bullet, if it were a shrapnel bullet…” When they heard the word “flowering bomb”, Sun Mingde and Zhang Fuan shuddered. Lin Xiao looked at everyone’s expressions and smiled slightly. His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone: “This is just a cannon.” He pointed at the cannon that had just roared, looked around, and said slowly, “Imagine this: if in the future, we had hundreds, or even thousands, of these cannons, lined up in a row, pointing them at the enemy’s city, at the enemy’s army…” Hundreds of doors? Thousands of doors? When Sun Mingde, Zhang Fuan, and all the surrounding soldiers and craftsmen heard this, a picture involuntarily emerged in their minds: On the vast battlefield, a sea of black gun muzzles lined up in a row. Following the commander’s order, hundreds of artillery pieces roared one after another, and the thunderous sound of artillery merged into one, shaking the earth! Countless iron balls and shrapnel hit the enemy’s positions and city walls like hail. The sturdy city walls were reduced to dust in the explosion, the thick city walls collapsed like tofu, and the strict military formations collapsed in an instant under the continuous bombardment, with blood and flesh flying everywhere… What a devastating scene that would be! That wasn’t a war at all, it was a crushing defeat! It was a doomsday disaster! Thinking of this, everyone’s breathing became heavy, their hearts pounded, and their eyes were filled with fanaticism! Following Brother Xiao, they will create an unprecedented era with their own hands! The deafening roar in the valley gradually subsided, but the shocking power still lingered in everyone’s heart. Lin Xiao patted the shoulders of Sun Mingde and Zhang Fuan, who were still excited, and drew their attention back. “The power of cannons is indeed astonishing, but they are difficult to manufacture and cost a lot of money, making it difficult to deploy them in large quantities in a short period of time.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable power. “Right now, the flintlock rifle is the weapon that can most quickly generate combat effectiveness and change the battlefield situation.” He turned to Zhang Fuan and said, “Fuan, how’s the progress on the flintlock rifle?” Zhang Fuan quickly bowed, a hint of pride on his face: “Brother Xiao, we’ve already produced a thousand qualified ones despite our efforts! The craftsmen are much more skilled now, and the materials are also sufficient. We will only produce faster and faster in the future!” “One thousand…” Lin Xiao nodded. This number was not small, but it was still far from his expectations. “It’s not enough.” He pondered for a moment and looked at Sun Mingde: “Well, when we have 5,000, we will concentrate on training and conduct a large scale exercise to see the results. Mingde, you can take these 1,000 ready made weapons to the barracks first.” Sun Mingde’s eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this, and he clasped his fists excitedly: “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! I’ll pick out a group of the smartest soldiers and let them get to know this treasure first!” “Yes,” Lin Xiao responded, “First, get familiar with the firearms and master the basics. As for how to coordinate and how to form a formation to shoot, that’s the next step, so don’t rush it.” Sun Mingde nodded vigorously: “I understand!” evening. Lin Xiao returned to the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion. As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I felt that the atmosphere was a little different from usual. There were several women sitting around the stone table in the yard, including Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Sister Lin, Zhang Wanqing, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, and Aunt Wang. Zhang Wanqing was sitting in the middle, her cheeks flushed with shyness, and Yan Ruoxi was holding her hand and talking to her. Yan Ruotong smiled gently, and Mrs. Lin also looked relieved. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi also looked on with a smile, but behind that smile, there seemed to be some other emotions hidden. Seeing Lin Xiao coming back, the women all stood up. “Husband!” Yan Ruoxi came forward happily. “Brother Xiao is back.” Mrs. Lin also greeted him with a smile. Zhang Wanqing’s face turned even redder when she saw Lin Xiao. She lowered her head slightly and whispered, “Brother Xiao…” Lin Xiao nodded, understanding that the news had spread. “Wanqing is also pregnant, what a great joy!” Yan Ruoxi pulled Lin Xiao’s arm, her tone joyful. Yan Ruotong also walked to Lin Xiao, leaned against him gently, and said softly: “Yes, it’s even more lively now.” Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Wanqing and smiled gently: “Take good care of her and don’t tire herself out.” “Hmm…” Zhang Wanqing’s voice was as soft as a mosquito, and her head drooped even lower. Lin Xiao looked at Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi again. They also congratulated him. Their expressions were normal, but there seemed to be a slight ripple in the depths of their eyes. However, Aunt Wang next to her is also here today. She looked at Zhang Wanqing, her eyes full of sincere blessings, but soon, her gaze vaguely glanced at Lin Xiao, with a hint of imperceptible desire. Chapter 275 Harvest Scene As soon as Lin Xiao sat down at dinner, he felt something was wrong. The dishes on the table were a bit too rich, and… several of the dishes had a strong “nutritious” flavor. A plate of glistening fried kidney slices, a steaming bowl of thick soup with a few unknown herbs and what looked like deer antler slices, and a large carp that was supposedly steamed with special medicinal herbs… “Husband, try this. Aunt Wang specially asked the kitchen to stew it for you. It is the best way to nourish your body!” Yan Ruoxi picked up a large piece of kidney and put it in Lin Xiao’s bowl, saying with a smile. “Brother Xiao, drink more of this soup.” Mrs. Lin scooped a spoonful of soup with a gentle look in her eyes. Aunt Wang was even more attentive. She had dressed up specially for the day, wearing a dress that made her figure appear more voluptuous. She was sitting next to Lin Xiao, constantly serving him food. She leaned in vaguely, her breath sweet as orchid. “Brother Xiao, you’ve been smelting steel and working with guns and cannons lately. You must be exhausted. You need to eat more.” Even Liu Ruyan, who was usually dignified and elegant, seemed a little different today. Although she was not as direct as Aunt Wang, she frequently served food to Lin Xiao, and her eyes were filled with a rare tenderness. Pei Xueyi was still gentle, but her cheeks were slightly red. She occasionally looked up at Lin Xiao, then quickly lowered her head. Lin Xiao was a little amused and helpless by this scene. He felt like a piece of Tang Monk’s flesh, surrounded by a group of female demons with fiery eyes. He coughed dryly twice and tried to change the subject: “Today’s dishes… are too rich, everyone should eat too.” But the women were not willing to let him go and were still as passionate as ever. Aunt Wang was even bolder. She took the opportunity to pour wine and her full breasts almost rubbed Lin Xiao’s arm. Lin Xiao just felt his scalp tingling, and he couldn’t eat the meal properly. He put down his chopsticks abruptly and stood up. “In that case, I won’t be polite!” After saying that, without waiting for everyone’s reaction, he picked up one and walked towards the room. With a “bang”, the door was closed. Then the girl burst into uncontrollable laughter and screams. In the following days, Qinglin County entered a period of stable development. Lin Xiao was also happy to have some free time, and temporarily stopped paying close attention to weapons research and development. The development of flintlock rifles and artillery has been put on the right track. Zhang Fuan and his group of craftsmen, whose enthusiasm has been completely ignited, are full of energy and do not need his constant supervision. During this period, he spent more time in the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong’s bellies became more and more obvious day by day, and Zhang Wanqing also took good care of the fetus. The three expectant mothers became the focus of protection in the courtyard. Whenever Lin Xiao had time, he would talk to them, take walks with them, and feel the joy and warmth brought by the new life. Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Wang took on the responsibility of taking care of them, asking about their health, stewing soup and boiling medicine, and were very busy. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi also came here often, and the backyard was filled with the chirping of birds and the joyful atmosphere. Lin Xiao enjoyed this rare tranquility. He handled daily affairs during the day and enjoyed the happiness of having many children and worked hard at night. That afternoon, Lin Xiao was lying on a rocking chair in the yard, dozing with his eyes closed, enjoying the warm autumn sunshine. Li Dequan walked in hurriedly from outside with an uncontrollable joy on his face. “Brother Lin Xiao!” Li Dequan approached, bowed respectfully, and then spoke excitedly, “Great joy! Great joy!” Lin Xiao sat up and motioned him to sit down and talk: “Uncle Dequan, what are you so happy about?” Li Dequan rubbed his hands together, his wrinkles radiating a smile. “Brother Lin Xiao, the harvest reports for each village and town have arrived! This year’s harvest is likely to set a record for Qinglin County, no, for the entire Great Zhou Dynasty!” His voice trembled with excitement. “Thanks to you, all that new rice seeds, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and farm tools, plus the irrigation works that have been repaired everywhere… Wow, the yields are simply astonishing! I couldn’t believe the figures reported by many villages at first, and had to check them over and over again!” When Lin Xiao heard this, a smile flashed in his eyes. This was within his expectations. High yield crops combined with initially improved farming techniques would naturally yield significant results. “Have you released the specific numbers?” “It’s almost there!” Li Dequan nodded repeatedly. “Everywhere is still doing the final compilation and verification. I got the general information first, so I hurried over to tell you the good news! Once the accurate list is compiled, I’ll send it to you immediately!” “Okay.” Lin Xiao nodded. “Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Dequan. Tell the people below to be more careful and make sure the numbers are accurate. This is related to the subsequent food reserves and allocation.” “Hey! Don’t worry!” Li Dequan nodded vigorously, his face still full of joy. “That’s good. With so much food, we are more confident! Let’s see who dares to look down on our Qinglin County!” After seeing Li Dequan off, Lin Xiao lay back in the rocking chair, feeling relieved. Food is the foundation of everything. For the next half month, the entire Qinglin County was completely immersed in the joy and busyness of the harvest. In the endless fields, the heavy rice ears bent the branches, and the plump bean pods sparkled in the sun. Beneath the ridges, there are astonishing yields of sweet potatoes and potatoes, waiting to be dug out. In Jiaoshi County, on the river beach outside Wangjia Village. Wang Tiezhu was bare chested, with sweat dripping down his dark back. He was holding a brand new sickle in his hand and was cutting rice with great effort. This sickle was made from government farm tools, using high quality steel shipped from Qinglin County. It was sharp and durable, and was many times better than the broken sickle he had used for half his life. He cut down a handful of rice. The rice ears were heavy and the grains were so full that they almost burst. He weighed it, calculated it in his mind, and felt a warm current flowing through his body. “Dad! Take a break and drink some water!” Wang Gousheng came over carrying a bundle of freshly threshed rice, with a bright smile on his face. Wang Tiezhu straightened up, took the water bag handed to him by his son, and gulped down a few big gulps. “Gousheng, look at this rice. It’s not worse than what we saw when we visited the county town, right?” Wang Tiezhu wiped his mouth and looked at the endless rice fields in front of him, his tone full of emotion. “Dad, it’s more than good! I think it’s even better than what I saw back then!” Wang Gousheng said excitedly. “Look at this ear of corn, how long and plump! And those sweet potatoes in the field over there, I dug one up yesterday, and wow, it’s bigger than my head!” As the father and son were talking, their neighbor Zhang Daniu came over carrying a bundle of rice. “Brother Wang, what a waste,” Zhang Daniu put down the rice bundle and pounded his waist. “This… this is really grown by us? Why do I still feel like I’m dreaming?” He squatted down, picked up a handful of freshly cut rice ears, turned them over and over, and then brought them close to his nose to smell them. “How fragrant! After paying the government 30% of the rent on this rice, the rest should be enough for us to eat for a year with some left over, right?” “Humph, more than a year!” Wang Tiezhu rarely smiled. “If you save some food, it will be enough until the new grain comes in next year!” The days of heavy taxes, rampant bandits, and lack of food seem like a thing of the past. He had lived for most of his life and never thought that he, an old man, could live such a life. “Hurry up and get to work!” Wang Tiezhu took a breath and picked up the sickle again. “Finish the harvest quickly, dry it out in the sun, and store every grain in the warehouse! This is our lifeblood!” “Hey!” Wang Gousheng and Zhang Daniu responded in unison, also full of energy. The entire territory, from south to north, from east to west, was immersed in the joy of harvest. Chapter 276 A World of Difference evening. Wang Tiezhu was carrying a new sickle, while Wang Gousheng was carrying two full bundles of rice. Although the father and son were exhausted and sweating profusely, their faces were filled with satisfaction. “Dad, do you think these days feel like a dream?” Wang Gousheng walked with a silly grin on his face, revealing his white teeth. Wang Tiezhu didn’t say anything, just nodded silently. All his life he believed in relying on God for his livelihood and working hard for his livelihood, and he never believed in the government. But now, things have indeed gotten better since Lord Lin came, you have to believe it whether you like or not. When the father and son returned home, Wang Tiezhu was about to put down the sickle, but suddenly stopped. A thin figure was huddled next to a pile of firewood in the corner of the yard. It was a girl, who looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old. She was wearing a ragged coarse cloth dress whose original color was almost unrecognizable. Her hair was dry and messy, and her little face was covered with dust and dirt, making it difficult to see her features. She looked at them timidly. “You… who are you?” Wang Gousheng put down his burden and asked vigilantly. These days are not peaceful. Although the security in Qinglin County has improved a lot, the sudden appearance of a stranger still makes people feel uneasy. Wang Tiezhu also frowned and tightened his grip on the sickle. The girl was frightened by their voices and shuddered. She shrank her body even tighter, her voice as thin as a mosquito: “I… I’m not a bad person… I escaped from… from that side…” She raised her dirty little hand and pointed to the east. “East?” Wang Tiezhu’s heart moved. The girl nodded, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, mixing with the dirt on her face, leaving two clear tear marks: “The soldiers… the soldiers are here to arrest people again, and they also want to steal food… My parents told me to run away quickly… They…” She choked and couldn’t continue. Wang Tiezhu sighed inwardly, put down his sickle, and said in a softer tone, “Don’t be afraid. Come inside and rest for a while.” Wang Gousheng felt pity for the girl and stepped forward. “Are you starving? We have food at home.” Walking into the low but fairly tidy adobe house, the girl’s eyes widened instantly. In the corner of the room, there was a pile of sweet potatoes and potatoes, and against the wall were several sacks filled with rice. There was a ceramic bowl on the table with half a bowl of white rice in it. Hanging on the wall were brand new sickles, hoes, and even a shiny kitchen knife! In her hometown, these things were either owned by landlords or seen only by government officials. But in this ordinary farmyard, it can be seen everywhere! Wang Gousheng picked up the white rice and grabbed a handful of pickles from the clay pot next to him and placed them in front of the girl: “Eat some first to fill your stomach. I’ll make you something hot tonight.” The girl looked at the food in front of her and rubbed her eyes in disbelief. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she had seen so much food. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t resist the hunger in her stomach, so she grabbed the rice and stuffed it into her mouth, crying as she did so. She ate quickly and anxiously, as if she was afraid that everything in front of her would suddenly disappear. Wang Tiezhu watched silently, feeling unhappy. “Eat slowly, don’t choke.” Wang Gousheng poured her a bowl of water. Seeing the girl wolfing down her food, Wang Gousheng felt a surge of pride. He cleared his throat and began to introduce the girls. “Hey, sister, don’t be afraid. Once you arrive in Qinglin County, everything will be fine! See? All this food is grown by us! Thanks to Lord Tolin, we used new seeds, new farm tools, and built canals. This year, we have a bumper harvest! Every household has enough to eat!” He pointed at the farm tools on the wall. “These sickles and kitchen knives were issued by the government. They’re made of high quality steel and are very useful! The government said that as long as we farm well and pay 30% rent according to the rules, the rest will be ours! No one dares to take a single extra grain!” “Besides, we have such peace here now! There are no rogue soldiers or bandits! We don’t even have to lock the door at night! Lord Lin has even opened a school. Children your age can go to school for free, and they even provide meals!” The girl stopped chewing and raised her head. Her big eyes on her dirt covered little face were filled with shock and confusion. Free school? Free meals? Is it okay to just pay 30% rent? No one steals food? No need to close the door when sleeping at night? This… is this true? All she heard in her hometown were heavy taxes, forced labor, looting by soldiers and bandits, and having no food to eat… This place was like… like the legendary paradise! “Really… is there really such a good place?” The girl’s voice trembled. “Of course!” Wang Gousheng patted his chest. “How could I lie to you? If you don’t believe me, go out and take a look tomorrow. Ask around! This is the situation in Qinglin County right now!” At night, the Wang family cleaned up a small side room, laid out clean straw, and let the little girl live there temporarily. Lying on the soft straw, covered with an old but clean quilt, the girl smelled the faint fragrance of straw in the air and listened to the steady snoring coming from the next room, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Everything that happened today seemed like an unreal dream. Mountains of grain, brand new ironware, the satisfied smiles on the villagers’ faces, and the peaceful days described by the brother named Wang Gousheng… Is this really the human world? Compared to her hometown where she escaped and saw starving people and widespread misery, this place is simply paradise! Dad… Mom… Brother… Thinking of her relatives who were still suffering in her hometown, the girl’s heart felt like it was being stabbed by a needle. No! She couldn’t enjoy peace and quiet here alone! She wanted to go back! She wanted to bring her parents and brother to this paradise! Once this idea arose, it grew wildly like weeds. It’s late at night and everyone is asleep. The girl quietly got up, pushed open the door, and looked in the direction of the main house in the faint moonlight. Then, without hesitation, she climbed over the low earthen wall and disappeared into the night. She wants to bring this good news back, and she wants to bring her family to live here together! Chapter 277 Thriving In the meeting hall of the Qinglin County Magistrate’s Mansion. Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Sun Mingde and others gathered together, all of them with rosy faces and excitement in their eyes. Li Dequan was holding a thick stack of account books in his hands, his hands were shaking slightly with excitement. He cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, “Brother Lin Xiao! Everyone! This year’s autumn harvest is a great harvest!” He opened the account book and began to report: “After verification by all the counties, the total harvest of rice in the county this year is 11.2 million dan!” “Hiss ” Even though they were mentally prepared, Song Qinghe and Sun Mingde couldn’t help but gasp when they heard this number. Eleven million two hundred thousand koku! What does this mean? Li Dequan’s face turned purple with excitement as he continued, “The yield of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other grains is truly astonishing. Villages are still digging and counting them. Preliminary estimates suggest the total output is probably no less than 30 million dan! Enough to feed the entire county for two years and more!” “In addition to grain, the chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep raised in each village have increased by at least 50% compared to previous years! Preserved meat and salted fish are filling up warehouses everywhere!” “And more! The results of ‘work for relief’ are remarkable. In the past six months, the county has repaired and newly built over 1,200 miles of roads, and dredged and excavated nearly 800 miles of irrigation canals! Adding to the newly reclaimed and recultivated farmland, the total area of fertile farmland in Qinglin County now exceeds 7 million mu!” Song Qinghe also stood up and added, “Sir, according to your instructions, after deducting the food grains left for the people, the grain for seed, and the needs of government and the army at all levels, the estimated grain available for storage will exceed three million dan! This does not include the sweet potatoes and potatoes! Our granaries have never been so full!” Sun Mingde also chuckled and interjected, “Brother Xiao, with more food, the soldiers are training with more energy! With food in their bellies, there’s no need to panic! Now the army is stable and morale is high!” Listening to the encouraging data and seeing the heartfelt smiles on everyone’s faces, Lin Xiao felt quite satisfied. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a faint smile: “Not bad, everyone has worked hard.” He glanced at the crowd, “Food is the foundation. Only when the foundation is stable can we do more. The subsequent warehousing, storage, and allocation of food must be done well without any mistakes. In addition, although sweet potatoes and potatoes are high yielding, they are difficult to store. We need to quickly promote proper storage methods to the public. We can also consider processing them into dried sweet potatoes or potato flour to extend their shelf life and enrich people’s food variety.” Song Qinghe quickly agreed: “Yes, sir, I understand and will arrange it immediately.” Lin Xiao looked at Li Dequan again and said, “Uncle Dequan, we can’t let the people idle during the slack season. We need to continue to improve water conservancy facilities and build roads, especially the official roads leading to counties and important towns. They need to be widened and reinforced. In addition, the workshops must also keep up and speed up the production of new agricultural tools to prepare for next year’s spring plowing.” “Hey! Don’t worry, Brother Lin Xiao!” Li Dequan patted his chest and assured, “Now the people have hope in their hearts, and they are very motivated! No need to urge them, they are all rushing to work!” Almost everything that needed to be explained had been explained, and Lin Xiao was about to end the meeting, but Li Dequan suddenly showed a hint of hesitation, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself. “Uncle Dequan, is there anything else?” Lin Xiao asked. Li Dequan hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, “Brother Lin Xiao… this is what’s going on. Recently, a lot of refugees have fled from the east and south. At first, there were only a few scattered families, but now there are more and more, running towards us in groups.” He frowned. “These people, with their families and ragged clothes, look quite pitiful. They’ve been stopped at checkpoints in various counties, and I don’t know what to do with them. I’ve come to ask for your advice…” Song Qinghe also added: “Sir, it has been reported that many of the refugees who fled here have heard about the stability and prosperity of Qinglin County and have come here specifically to seek refuge. But… the number is indeed quite large. A rough estimate is that there are probably tens of thousands of them, and there may be even more in the future. The sudden influx of so many people will probably put considerable pressure on public security and management in the counties.” Managing a large number of refugees is never an easy task. If you are not careful, it may cause riots. Lin Xiao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondered for a moment, and asked, “With our current food reserves and management capabilities, can we accommodate these people?” Song Qinghe and Li Dequan exchanged glances and did some quick mental calculations. Song Qinghe spoke first, “Sir, regarding food, with our current reserves, we can easily feed hundreds of thousands more people. Just the housing, clothing, and subsequent management and resettlement require a lot of manpower and material resources.” Li Dequan also nodded and said: “There are indeed some management problems, but they are not insurmountable. “We’ve already set up the village level framework. As long as we have enough manpower, we can disperse them to various villages and towns and bring them under management, and we should be able to stabilize the situation. Moreover… among these people, there are quite a few young and strong laborers.” After listening to this, Lin Xiao had already made up his mind. What is he lacking most now? Not food, not weapons, but people! Whether it is to cultivate more land, develop handicrafts, or expand the army, a large population is needed to support it. Although these refugees are a temporary burden, as long as they are properly resettled, they will become the most valuable resources for future development. “Pass on my order,” Lin Xiao stood up, his tone unquestionable, “All the people who have fled to Qinglin County will be accepted!” “Ah?” Li Dequan and Song Qinghe were both stunned. Lin Xiao continued, “Temporary resettlement sites will be set up in all border counties. All incoming refugees will be registered, given medical examinations, and issued temporary identification cards, a small amount of food rations, and warm clothing.” “Then, they will be resettled in batches to various villages and towns based on their place of origin, specialties, and the acceptance capacity of each county. Priority will be given to resettling people in areas with vast land, sparse population and a need for labor.” “Tell them that as long as they abide by the rules of Qinglin County, obey management, and work hard, they can obtain land here, have enough food to eat, and live a peaceful life! Those who are willing to participate in the ‘work for relief’ program will be paid according to their work, and those who perform well will have priority in obtaining land and farm tools.” “As for the management pressure…” Lin Xiao smiled, “It just so happens that this is also a test and exercise of our grassroots governance capabilities. If there are not enough people, we can recruit from the existing militia, village cadres, or select refugees with good performance. Rules must be established, and rewards and punishments must be clear. Anyone who takes advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos or disobey the management will be severely punished! Listening to Lin Xiao’s clear and methodical arrangements, Li Dequan and Song Qinghe felt relieved and their eyes were filled with admiration again. “Yes! Your Excellency is wise!” the two answered in unison. Lin Xiao nodded. “Work out the specific rules as soon as possible and report them to me. Remember, it must be fast but steady. Go ahead.” “yes!” Everyone took the order and left the meeting room with their hearts full of excitement and new tasks. Lin Xiao stood alone at the window, looking at the sky outside. Accepting tens of thousands, or possibly even more, refugees was indeed a significant challenge, but it was also a huge opportunity. As long as he can digest and absorb these people, his strength will take another leap forward. In troubled times, people are the most precious wealth. Chapter 278 Glass Technology After coming out of the conference room, Lin Xiao returned to the backyard. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were sitting side by side on the cushions in the corridor. Their bellies were noticeably bulging. Being almost six months pregnant , their already plump figures had added a touch of mature charm. Zhang Wanqing was sitting aside. She was still in the early stages of pregnancy and her belly was only slightly curved. She seemed to notice Lin Xiao’s gaze, raised her head, her cheeks slightly red, and smiled gently at Lin Xiao, with a bit of shyness and joy of being a new mother. Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Wang are not here. They must be busy in the kitchen. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were nowhere to be seen either, perhaps resting in their own yard. Lin Xiao walked over lightly and sat down next to the Yan sisters. “My husband is back.” Yan Ruotong put down the book in her hand and a gentle smile appeared on her face. “Have you finished dealing with the matter?” Yan Ruoxi seemed more lively, looking at Lin Xiao with bright eyes. Zhang Wanqing also stopped what she was doing, blushing slightly, and said softly, “Brother Xiao.” Lin Xiao walked over with a smile, sat down next to the Yan sisters, stretched out his hand, and carefully stroked their round bellies. “How are you feeling today? Are the little ones making any noise?” he asked softly, putting his ear close to the bed as if he could really hear what was going on inside. “Well, you’re pretty well behaved today.” Yan Ruotong leaned on Lin Xiao’s shoulder and said softly, “You just kick me sometimes, and you’re pretty strong.” “This is mine too!” Yan Ruoxi also came over and took Lin Xiao’s hand and placed it on her belly, “Husband, feel it, it moved just now!” Lin Xiao felt the occasional slight fetal movement under his palm, and his heart softened. He looked at Zhang Wanqing again, his eyes gentle: “Wanqing, you should also pay attention to rest. You don’t need to do these needlework. There are plenty of people in the mansion.” Zhang Wanqing lowered her head and whispered, “I’m free anyway, so I’ll make something for the child to make me feel at ease.” She raised her eyes to glance at Lin Xiao, then quickly lowered them, her cheeks redder. “Thank you for your concern, sir.” Lin Xiao looked at her shy yet happy face and felt happy for Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan had been looking forward to having this child for a long time and now his wish finally came true. After chatting with the three pregnant women for a while and feeling this rare warmth and tranquility, Lin Xiao felt that this was the meaning of his efforts. At this moment, a long lost reminder sound suddenly rang in his mind. [Ding! Yan Ruoxi’s favorability detected +8, current favorability 72.] [Ding! Yan Ruotong’s favorability detected +9, current favorability: 72.] [Current number of draws available: 2.] Lin Xiao’s heart moved. Here we come! He remained expressionless, but in his heart he was already beginning to look forward to it. He wondered what good things he would get this time. Suppressing the urge to draw the lottery immediately, Lin Xiao chatted with the women for a while. After watching them go back to their rooms for lunch, he returned to his study, closed the door, and immersed his consciousness in the system. “System, start the lottery!” [Ding! Lottery drawing…] The familiar roulette wheel spun rapidly in my mind, and finally slowly stopped. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining the “Complete Set of Glassmaking Crafts (Handmade + Industrial, from the Beginning to the Modern Era)” and related memories!] Glass! Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up and a surge of ecstasy surged in his heart! This thing is really a timely relief! He instantly thought of the countless uses of glass. First of all, windows! With transparent glass, we can completely replace the commonly used window paper or tiles. Imagine a house with bright and clean windows, where sunlight can shine in unhindered, dispelling darkness and dampness. It can not only greatly improve the living environment and enhance the quality of life, but also play an immeasurable role in health and epidemic prevention! The lighting alone can greatly improve the production efficiency of countless workshops! Next is the mirror! Nowadays, we use bronze mirrors, which are blurry and need to be polished frequently. If a clear glass mirror could be made, it would definitely be a luxury item that princes, nobles, and wealthy businessmen would flock to! A good glass mirror can be sold at a sky high price without any problem, which is another huge source of income! And there are all kinds of utensils! Glass cups, glass bowls, glass bottles… These things are not only beautiful, but also easy to clean and not prone to stains. Compared with pottery, porcelain, or even gold and silver utensils, they have advantages in terms of hygiene and practicality. Glass bottles, in particular, can be used to store medicines, alcohol, and even for chemical experiments! Going a step further, glass is the basis for making lenses! With high quality lenses, telescopes and microscopes become possible! The telescope can give him a huge information advantage in the military, allowing him to see farther and gain insight into opportunities. The microscope can open the door to the microscopic world and has revolutionary significance for the development of medicine and materials science! Glass can even be used to build greenhouses to grow off season vegetables in cold seasons or cultivate high quality crop varieties… The value of this technology is no less than that of steel and gunpowder before it! In fact, it even surpasses them in improving people’s livelihoods and promoting the progress of civilization! Lin Xiao carefully felt the huge amount of memories that appeared in his mind, from the most basic quartz sand screening and ingredient smelting, to various manual crafts such as blowing, pressing, and polishing, and then to the later industrialized flat drawn and float glass production lines… All kinds of knowledge were extremely clear, as if he had been immersed in this for decades. “Good! That’s great!” Lin Xiao clenched his fists excitedly. After calming down his excitement, Lin Xiao immediately conducted the second lottery. “System, continue!” [Ding! Lottery drawing…] The wheel spins again. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining three “Small Huandan” pills! ] [Item Description: Small Huandan, refined from a variety of rare medicinal herbs. Taking one pill can cleanse the meridians and marrow, significantly improving physical fitness, roughly doubling the average person’s physique. No side effects, mild efficacy.] Xiao Huandan? Lin Xiao was slightly stunned, then overjoyed. Double your physical fitness! This is truly a good thing! Although the effect might not be that significant for a body like his, which has undergone systemic transformation and is far superior to that of an ordinary person, for an ordinary person, it is absolutely a complete transformation! He himself might not be able to use them much, but who should he give these three pills to? The answer came to his mind almost instantly. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Zhang Wanqing! They are all pregnant now, which is the time when they need good health. Pregnancy and childbirth are inherently dangerous hurdles for women in this era. If we can use this small elixir to improve their physical fitness, it will not only make them healthier, but it may also make the delivery process smoother, and the baby in the belly will also benefit! Moreover, with improved physical fitness, you will be able to take better care of your children in the future, and even have more ability to protect yourself when encountering danger . Thinking of this, Lin Xiao’s heart was burning. These three small pills came at the perfect time! Compared to those technologies, this gift that can directly benefit his family makes him feel more at ease and happy. After withdrawing his consciousness from the system, Lin Xiao had three exquisite small jade bottles in his hands. In each bottle lay a pill the size of a longan, emitting a faint fragrance. He carefully put away the jade bottle, and the smile on his lips could no longer be suppressed. Glass craft, Xiao Huan Dan… This lucky draw was huge! With these, his future plans will be more confident and have more possibilities. Chapter 279 Glass Making In the evening, Lin Xiao rolled up his sleeves and asked all the cooks to leave. He is going to make some “special” dishes today. We selected the freshest chicken mushrooms, paired them with tender chicken breast, and simmered them over low heat with broth. The aroma gradually spread. I took a piece of top quality pork belly, cut it into fine dices, and stir fried it with mushrooms and bamboo shoots to make a fragrant sauce to go with the noodles. I also steamed a plump sea bass, using only shredded ginger, green onion and a little cooking wine to remove the fishy smell and enhance the flavor. The most important thing is the soup. He used old hens, combined with wolfberries, red dates, yam and other warming ingredients, and stewed it for a full two hours, until the soup was golden and rich. While no one was paying attention, Lin Xiao took out the three jade bottles containing Xiao Huan Dan and poured the three pills into his palm. He pondered for a moment, wrapped the pill with a clean piece of fine cloth, found a small stone mortar, and carefully ground the pill into extremely fine powder. He added these precious powders into the large pot of chicken soup and stirred it carefully with a spoon to ensure that the medicinal properties were evenly distributed. After doing all this, Lin Xiao said loudly: “Dinner is ready!” The dishes were served on the table in a continuous stream, and the aroma was everywhere. “Wow! Husband, it smells so good!” Yan Ruoxi was the first to come over. Her eyes lit up when she saw the delicious dishes on the table. Aunt Wang even picked up a piece of Alpinia hortensis with chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and savored it carefully: “Hmm! Delicious!” Lin Xiao smiled and served soup to everyone: “Everyone try this chicken soup, I stewed it for a long time.” The women picked up their spoons and tasted the food. “Hmm… this soup… is so delicious!” Yan Ruotong took a sip and felt a warm current sliding down her throat and instantly spreading to every part of her body. She felt indescribably comfortable and soothing. “Yes, after drinking it, my whole body feels warm, and it seems… it seems like I have a lot more strength.” Yan Ruoxi also widened her eyes in surprise. She felt that the fatigue brought by the recent pregnancy had dissipated a lot. Zhang Wanqing drank it in small sips, a healthy blush appeared on her fair cheeks, and she felt her body was filled with energy she had never felt before. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi looked at each other and saw surprise in each other’s eyes. They also felt changes in their bodies, as if all the fatigue of the past few days had been swept away, their spirits were particularly refreshed, and they even felt that their skin had become more delicate and smooth. “Husband, what treasure did you put in this soup? Why is it so magical?” Yan Ruoxi asked curiously. Lin Xiao smiled mysteriously: “This is a good thing from the mountains. It is good for your health, especially for those of you who are pregnant. Drink more.” Seeing that he didn’t say anything, everyone stopped asking and just thought that Lin Xiao had obtained some rare medicinal herbs again. For a moment, the atmosphere at the table was lively, and everyone praised Lin Xiao’s cooking skills, especially the pot of chicken soup, which was drunk up. After the meal, the women felt refreshed and energetic. Yan Ruoxi even took Yan Ruotong for several laps in the yard and didn’t feel tired at all. Zhang Wanqing also felt a lot lighter. Liu Ruyan looked at Lin Xiao, her beautiful eyes flickering with a hint of inquiry and a hint of imperceptible tenderness. She could feel that what Lin Xiao gave them to drink was definitely not ordinary. Lin Xiao felt relieved as he watched their complexions improve. The Xiao Huan Dan’s effects were immediate and mild, exactly what he had hoped for. As the night deepened, everyone dispersed. Liu Ruyan was the last to walk. As she passed Lin Xiao, she paused slightly. Her face softened in the moonlight. Lin Xiao’s heart moved, he took a step forward and picked her up by the waist. “Ah…” Liu Ruyan cried softly and subconsciously hugged his neck. Her cheeks instantly turned red. She looked at him angrily but did not struggle. Lin Xiao held her in his arms and strode towards her courtyard, whispering, “Tonight, feel the changes in your body.” The next morning, Lin Xiao came to the study in the front yard feeling refreshed. Not long after, Zhang Fuan came hurriedly. “Sir, are you looking for me?” Zhang Fuan saluted respectfully. “Fuan, you’re here.” Lin Xiao motioned him to sit down. “I called you here because I have a new job for you.” “Just give your orders, sir!” Zhang Fuan immediately straightened his back. Lin Xiao smiled and said, “It’s not that serious. This time, I want you to pick a group of the best and most reliable craftsmen to work with me to make something new.” “New thing? More powerful than that cannon?” Zhang Fuan’s eyes lit up and his curiosity was immediately aroused. “Whether it’s powerful or not depends on where it’s used.” Lin Xiao didn’t answer directly. Instead, he picked up the brush on the table and started drawing on a piece of white paper. “Look at this.” Zhang Fuan leaned over and saw that Lin Xiao had drawn a strange diagram of the furnace structure, and next to it were some tools such as crucibles, tongs, and blowpipes, all of which had somewhat strange shapes. “What is this… furnace used for?” Zhang Fuan asked in confusion. This furnace was completely different from the iron making blast furnace he was familiar with. “Refine ‘Liuli’.” Lin Xiao uttered two words. “Glass?” Zhang Fuan was stunned. He knew that glass was an extremely precious treasure, only the royal family or the most affluent could afford it. It was usually made into beads, small ornaments, or inlaid on objects. It was brightly colored and priceless. It was said that the production process was extremely complex and kept secret. My Lord, you’re actually going to refine colored glass? And judging by the situation, it seems… it’s quite large scale. “Yes, it’s colored glass.” Lin Xiao put down his pen. “However, the colored glass I want to make is different from those on the market. I want to make transparent, like crystal, but stronger than crystal and has a wider range of uses.” Transparent colored glass? Zhang Fuan was even more confused. Aren’t all colored glass colorful? What’s the point of transparent glass? Lin Xiao didn’t explain much. Some things cannot be explained simply by words. “Don’t worry about it for now. Follow the blueprint I drew, organize the people, and make this furnace and these tools for me first. As for the materials, they’re mainly quartz sand, soda ash, and limestone. These shouldn’t be hard to find in the mountains near us. Send people to explore and mine them, and make sure the raw materials are pure.” He pointed to the details on the drawings and carefully explained the requirements for the masonry of the furnace body, the selection of refractory materials, and the uses and production points of various tools. Although Zhang Fuan only understood half of what he had heard, seeing Lin Xiao’s confident look, he nodded without hesitation: “Yes! Don’t worry, sir! I promise to prepare everything!” “Well, the staff must be reliable and their mouths must be tight lipped.” Lin Xiao warned, “I don’t want the news to leak out before this thing is made.” “I understand!” Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously. In the next few days, Zhang Fuan personally led a team of the most elite craftsmen and began secret preparations in a secluded open space next to the steel plant. According to the drawings provided by Lin Xiao, they first built a simple furnace made of special refractory bricks. It had an exquisite structure and was very different from traditional kilns. Then, all kinds of strange tools were made: long iron blowpipes, iron molds of various sizes, large iron tongs for clamping high temperature crucibles, stone wheels for grinding, etc. At the same time, another group of people were sent to the surrounding mountainous areas to look for the quartz sand, soda ash and limestone mentioned by Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao also often came to check the progress, personally guided the production of some key links, and answered the craftsmen’s questions. Chapter 280 The Advent of Glass A few days later, the newly built furnace in the fenced off area next to the steel plant ignited a raging fire for the first time. The newly built furnace is completely different from the blast furnace. It is short, fat and solid. The flames in the furnace are burning fiercely, burning the special crucible to a bright red. Zhang Fuan brought a dozen of the most reliable and skilled craftsmen he had selected and gathered around the furnace. Quartz sand, soda ash, limestone… These “ordinary” raw materials dug from the mountains, carefully selected and preliminarily processed, are carefully mixed together according to the mysterious formula given by Lin Xiao and placed in a special refractory crucible. “Let’s start.” Lin Xiao stood aside and gave the order calmly. The crucible was picked up by long iron tongs and steadily placed into the hot furnace. The fire burned even brighter, making a whistling sound and making everyone’s face red. As time passed, the temperature inside the furnace continued to rise. Everyone held their breath and stared at the small observation port. “Sir, can this… can this really produce glass?” Zhang Fuan couldn’t help but move closer to Lin Xiao and asked in a low voice. He still found it hard to believe that such precious and colorful colored glass could be made from sand and stones that were everywhere. Furthermore, the adults had said that they wanted to make transparent colored glass. Lin Xiao smiled and said nothing, only motioning him to continue watching. He then whispered a few words to a guard nearby, who immediately took his orders and left. Not long after, Song Qinghe hurried over, with obvious confusion on his face: “Sir, you are so anxious to see me here, but what is the important matter?” As he walked over, he saw that the security here was tight and the atmosphere was somewhat unusual. “It’s just right that Master Song is here,” Lin Xiao pointed at the stove that was burning brightly, “Let’s take a look at something new together.” Song Qinghe looked in the direction he pointed and was also confused. This furnace doesn’t look like one for smelting iron, nor for firing porcelain. It looks more like… a new type of kiln that I’ve never seen before? “Sir, this furnace… is it used for refining elixirs?” Song Qinghe couldn’t help but speculate. In his opinion, only the legendary elixir was worthy of such serious attention. “That’s about right. What we are refining is the ‘elixir’ that can make our lives in Qinglin County better.” Lin Xiao kept it a secret. At this moment, Lin Xiao saw the perfect opportunity and said in a deep voice, “The fire is ready! Open the furnace!” The craftsmen immediately took action. Several people worked together and used special tools to carefully take the red hot crucible out of the furnace. Inside the crucible, the original powdered raw material had disappeared, replaced by a mass of sticky, boiling hot liquid substance that emitted dazzling light! The liquid was clear and translucent, like a pool of melted crystal, sparkling with a strange luster under the firelight! “blow!” A craftsman who had been prepared came forward immediately, dipped a long iron blowpipe in a ball of boiling liquid, then puffed up his cheeks and began to blow slowly. The originally inconspicuous molten material rapidly expanded and thinned under the action of the airflow, forming a hollow bubble. The bubble cooled rapidly in the air, its color gradually changing from fiery orange to transparent. When the craftsman gently shook the blowpipe, a fist sized, crystal clear glass ball fell out, rolled a few times on the ground covered with fine sand, and then stopped. The sunlight shines through the workshop window, falls on the glass ball, and reflects a brilliant light. “This… this is…” Zhang Fuan widened his eyes and opened his mouth slightly, almost unable to believe his eyes. Song Qinghe was also shocked. He walked forward quickly, waited for the glass ball to cool down slightly, and then picked it up carefully. It was smooth to the touch, hard in texture, and most importantly… it was completely transparent! Like the purest crystal, yet purer than crystal, without any impurities. “Glass! It’s glass!” an old craftsman exclaimed, his voice trembling. “Oh my God! In this life… I can actually make glass with my own hands!” Other craftsmen also gathered around, their faces filled with excitement and disbelief. They looked at the transparent glass ball and then at the molten liquid remaining in the crucible, as if they were looking at an inexhaustible mountain of gold. “This… is this really made from those sand and stones?” Song Qinghe held the glass ball, looking at it over and over again, his hands shaking a little. He had been in the officialdom for many years and had seen many treasures, but this was the first time he had seen such pure and transparent “glass”. What shocked him even more was that the raw materials for making this thing were just sand and stones that could be found everywhere! This is like turning stone into gold! No, it’s even more magical than turning stone into gold! “Not bad.” Lin Xiao showed a satisfied smile on his face. “This is what I said, transparent glass. I call it glass.” “Glass…” Song Qinghe muttered this new word, his eyes flashing, “Sir! This… this is truly a priceless treasure!” In his opinion, this transparency alone is enough to make it a luxury product more popular than colored glass! If it can be mass produced, its value is simply immeasurable! “Financial resources are only one of the reasons.” Lin Xiao picked up a flat piece of glass and smiled at Song Qinghe. “Master Song, what do you think is the greatest use of this thing?” Song Qinghe was stunned for a moment, then pondered, “If we make it into cups and utensils, it will surely become popular all over the world, attracting wealthy nobles to scramble to buy it…” “More than that.” Lin Xiao shook his head and pointed outside the shed. “Think about it, what would happen if we used this to replace the window paper and tiles on the windows?” Song Qinghe was shocked! Using clear glass for the windows? Wouldn’t the room then be filled with… abundant light, as bright as day?! “If we use it to make cups and dishes, wouldn’t it be smoother, easier to clean, and cleaner than pottery?” “If we grind it flat and coat one side with a special material, we can make a mirror. It would be a hundred times clearer than today’s bronze mirrors. Wouldn’t it be convenient for women to use for dressing and men to adjust their hats?” Every time Lin Xiao mentioned a use, Song Qinghe and Zhang Fuan’s eyes lit up a little. Windows, utensils, mirrors… these seemingly ordinary things, once replaced with this transparent “glass”, will bring about earth shaking changes! Especially the mirror! Song Qinghe can almost imagine how crazy the pursuit of an extremely clear glass mirror will be! The profit… is simply immeasurable! Song Qinghe nodded repeatedly, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid. “I understand! I understand perfectly! This glass mirror alone is enough to make us a fortune! Those high ranking officials, wealthy businessmen, and beautiful women, who can resist its temptation?” “So, mirrors are the first thing we can put into production and see the benefits quickly,” Lin Xiao said. “Of course, window glass, glassware, and even more sophisticated uses in the future will need to be developed step by step.” Zhang Fuan’s blood boiled as he listened. He looked at Lin Xiao as if he were a god! He nodded vigorously, “Your Excellency is right! Make the mirror first! It will definitely sell well!” “Okay.” Lin Xiao made the decision, “Fuan, I’ll leave this matter to you. Select reliable personnel, expand production, and build a dedicated glass factory first. In addition, the technology here needs to be kept secret. I will send a team of personal guards to guard it, and no one is allowed to approach at will.” “Yes! Don’t worry, sir! I guarantee that everything will be done perfectly!” Zhang Fuan responded excitedly, as if he had already seen countless wealth rolling in. Song Qinghe also calmed down and said with a bow, “Your Excellency is very far sighted. Once this glass is produced, it will not only enrich our Qinglin County, but also greatly improve people’s livelihood. It will benefit future generations!” Lin Xiao smiled and said nothing more. He selected a few of the most exquisitely crafted, lightly emerald green glass cups and small glass bottles from the cooled glassware, preparing to take them back as small gifts for the women. He turned and left the workshop, leaving behind a group of people still immersed in great shock and excitement. Chapter 281 Spinning Jenny Lin Xiao returned to the mansion in a good mood. As soon as you step into the backyard, you will see a leisurely and comfortable scene. The warm afternoon sun shone into the courtyard, and several newly planted crabapple trees were in full bloom. Sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, with bellies that were more than six months old, were leaning side by side on cushioned recliners, whispering to each other, with maternal glow on their faces. Zhang Wanqing was also there, needle and thread in her hands, sewing small clothes for her unborn child, her eyes full of tenderness. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were sitting at a stone table with a chessboard in front of them. They were concentrating on playing chess, occasionally making moves quietly. Sister Lin and Aunt Wang were sitting on the porch not far away, helping to sort some dried herbs, chatting in low voices about family matters, and occasionally glancing at little Qiong Qiong playing in the yard. The whole yard is filled with a peaceful and warm atmosphere. “Look what good stuff I brought back.” Lin Xiao walked over with a smile and placed the items in his hands on the stone table. He brought back two small, light emerald green glass cups and a crystal clear glass bottle with a small mouth, which even contained a small wild flower that he had just picked from the roadside. “My husband is back.” Yan Ruotong was the first to see him and smiled gently. “What good stuff is that?” Yan Ruoxi stretched her neck curiously, feeling restless even with her bulging belly. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi stopped playing chess, while Sister Lin and Aunt Wang gathered around curiously. Zhang Wanqing put down her needlework and took a few steps closer. When they saw clearly what was on the stone table, the yard suddenly became quiet. In the sunlight, the glasses and small bottles reflected a charming luster, incredibly transparent. The walls of the glasses were smooth, the lines flowing, and the light emerald green was like spring lake water, pleasing to the eye. “Ah! What is this?” Yan Ruoxi couldn’t help but reach out and pick up a small cup. It felt slightly cool to the touch, and the touch was delicate and smooth, making her love it. “Is it glass? But I’ve never seen such… such clean glass!” “So beautiful…” Liu Ruyan also picked up another cup and looked at it carefully in the sunlight. “There’s not a single impurity in it. It’s like ice.” “This vase is also beautiful,” Pei Xueyi picked up the small vase with wild flowers in it, “The flower arrangement is definitely much more beautiful than the ceramic vase.” Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Wang were also amazed. “This is called glass,” Lin Xiao said, looking at their surprised expressions, feeling happy in his heart, “It’s made by burning sand and stone.” “Sand and stone?!” Zhang Wanqing covered her mouth in surprise. “Brother Xiao, are you kidding us? How could something so beautiful be made of sand and stone?” “Absolutely true.” Lin Xiao smiled. “This glass is very useful. Besides making cups and bottles, it can also be used to make windows. It’s much brighter than paper on windows.” “To make windows?” Yan Ruotong imagined it for a moment, her eyes lighting up. “Then wouldn’t it mean we don’t need to turn on the lights in the house during the day?” “That’s not all,” Lin Xiao deliberately kept the conversation a secret. He picked up a cup and pretended to look in the mirror. “I’m telling you, with this glass, you can make a mirror that’s a hundred times clearer than the bronze mirror you’re using now!” “A hundred times clearer?!” As soon as these words were spoken, the yard suddenly exploded. “Is this true?” Yan Ruoxi excitedly grabbed Lin Xiao’s arm. “Husband, the bronze mirror looks blurry and yellow. Can you really see your face clearly in this glass mirror?” “Of course,” Lin Xiao nodded affirmatively. “Not to mention the face, you can even count the eyebrows clearly. It’s not distorted at all.” “Oh my God!” Pei Xueyi exclaimed, her face flushed. “Then… then I can see clearly what I look like?” Liu Ruyan was also a little excited, and her voice trembled a little. For women of this era, a mirror that could clearly reflect their faces was extremely tempting. Bronze mirrors were blurry , and at most they could only see the rough outline. No one had ever truly seen their own appearance clearly. “Husband! Do it quickly! Do it for us!” Yan Ruoxi couldn’t wait any longer and pulled Lin Xiao’s hand and shook it. “Yes, husband, we all want it!” Yan Ruotong also showed an eager look, which was rare. Even the introverted Aunt Wang’s eyes were filled with desire. Looking at their excited and expectant expressions, Lin Xiao laughed heartily: “Don’t worry, we’ve already arranged for someone to make it. Once the first batch is finished, I’ll make sure you each have one side, no, two sides!” “Husband, you are so nice!” Yan Ruoxi was the first to stand on tiptoe and gave Lin Xiao a kiss on the face. Immediately afterwards, Yan Ruotong also blushed and gently kissed his other cheek. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi smiled at each other, and followed their example, shyly and quickly kissing Lin Xiao. Zhang Wanqing smiled and came over for a kiss. Even Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang, with blushing cheeks, left sweet kisses on Lin Xiao’s face amid everyone’s laughter. Surrounded by beauties and with the fragrance blowing in his face, Lin Xiao felt as if his bones were about to become soft. At this moment, a long lost reminder sound rang in my mind. [Ding! Sister Lin’s favorability increased by +3, current favorability: 75] [Ding! Aunt Wang’s favorability +8, current favorability: 35] [Auntie Wang’s favorability has exceeded 30, and you’ll get a chance to win a prize!] Lin Xiao’s heart moved. Sister Lin’s favorability had been steadily increasing and was already quite high. And Aunt Wang’s had unexpectedly increased by 8 points this time, directly breaking through the 30 mark and even triggering a lucky draw! He silently said in his heart: “System, draw a prize!” The familiar lottery interface appeared in my mind, the turntable spun, and finally froze. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Spinning Jenny complete set of technology and manufacturing memories!] A huge stream of information instantly flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind. This time it was about the detailed drawings, manufacturing process, usage methods and related historical background of a machine called “Spinning Jenny”. Lin Xiao was overjoyed! Whatever you think comes true! Textile industry! This is a basic industry related to people’s livelihood! Spinning in this era was still at the most primitive stage of hand cranked spinning wheels. A skilled spinner could not spin much yarn after a day of hard work. Low efficiency led to a serious shortage of cloth and high prices. Ordinary people would often wear a piece of clothing until it was tattered and had to mend it for another three years. And this spinning Jenny was simply a revolution in the textile industry! According to my memory, a simple spinning jenny can drive eight spindles to spin at the same time, which directly increases efficiency by eight times! And it can be improved in the future, adding more spindles, and the efficiency can be further improved! what does that mean? This meant that as long as the Spinning Jenny was widely used, yarn production would explode! As yarn production increased, the speed of weaving would naturally keep up, and the price of cloth would drop significantly! By then, the people in the territory will be able to wear more, better and cheaper clothes, and their quality of life will be significantly improved. Moreover, cheap and high quality cloth can also be sold as an important commodity to other places and earn a lot of wealth! But… Lin Xiao quickly calmed down. The textile industry is important, but there is no rush. The most important thing at the moment is to stabilize the glass factory first, especially the mirrors, which is a powerful tool for quickly recovering funds and building a reputation. Chapter 282: Money Rolling In The back hall of the county government office. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan sat around a square table with steaming tea on it. “Fuan, you just said… using sand and stone, you can really burn out that kind of… transparent glass?” Li Dequan put down the teacup, his face full of disbelief. He had just heard about the glass from Zhang Fuan, and he was so shocked that he couldn’t close his mouth for a long time. Zhang Fuan grinned, his dark face glowing red. “Uncle Dequan, it’s absolutely true! I saw with my own eyes what the adults did with us! That thing is called glass! It’s more transparent than the finest crystal! It’s smooth and has no impurities at all!” Song Qinghe twirled his beard, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. “It’s more than just translucent. Brother Dequan, you haven’t seen the real thing. Once this is made into a vessel, its value far exceeds that of ordinary glass. More importantly, the cost is extremely low, and the raw materials can be found almost everywhere!” “Low cost?!” Li Dequan’s eyes widened. “Then… then doesn’t that mean…” “Isn’t this an inexhaustible gold mine?” Song Qinghe continued, his tone somewhat excited. “If we use this to make mirrors, they will be incredibly clear, enough to drive women all over the world crazy! We can also use it to make windows, cups… The benefits are immeasurable! We can even organize a caravan to sell this stuff to the countries in the Western Regions and exchange it for the war horses and minerals we desperately need!” “Sell it to the Western Regions…” Li Dequan muttered to himself, as if he had already seen countless gold, silver, treasures and supplies pouring into Qinglin County like a tide. Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously: “My Lord said, let’s make mirrors first! They will definitely sell well!” “Your Excellency is truly… a god!” Li Dequan sighed heartily, recalling the changes that had taken place since Lin Xiao arrived in Qinglin County: blast furnace ironmaking, new weaponry, earth shattering artillery, and now, this miraculous glass. “Following Your Excellency, our lives are truly becoming more and more hopeful!” Song Qinghe also deeply agreed: “Your Excellency’s talent is beyond our comprehension. We just need to assist you wholeheartedly, and the future of Qinglin County is limitless.” At this point, Li Dequan suddenly remembered something and looked at Zhang Fuan mischievously: “Fuan, come to think of it, you’re so lucky! Not only did you follow the adults to do great things, but you also made your daughter Wanqing pregnant with your child! This is a great blessing! Congratulations!” Song Qinghe also smiled and nodded: “Yes, Fuan, this is a double blessing for you.” Zhang Fuan’s face turned even redder after what they said, but his eyes were filled with uncontrollable joy and pride. He laughed so hard that his mouth couldn’t close: “Hehe… It’s all thanks to you, sir… It’s all thanks to you, sir…” The next day, Lin Xiao brought Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Zhang Wanqing, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, Sister Lin and Aunt Wang and a group of other beautiful girls to the glass factory not far from the steel plant. This place has begun to take shape, with several newly built kilns emitting steam, and a number of cooled and formed glass products displayed in the shed next to them. “Sir! Ladies!” The head craftsman in charge of the glass factory, an old craftsman named Liu, hurriedly came forward with several apprentices, his face full of respect and pride. “Take out the finished products you have made in the past few days and show them to the ladies.” Lin Xiao ordered. “Yes, yes, yes!” Old Man Liu quickly asked his apprentices to carefully move the finished product to a long table. For a moment, the table was filled with a dazzling array of items, sparkling with a crystal luster under the sunlight. “Wow! So beautiful!” Yan Ruoxi was the first to exclaim. There were glassware of various shapes on the table. There are cute little rabbits, kittens, puppies and other animal shapes, which are crystal clear and lifelike; There are also ornaments made in the shape of lotus, peony and other flowers, with smooth lines and dazzling brilliance; There are also some small vases and cups with unique shapes, which are either pure and transparent, or have light green and light blue colors. “This little rabbit is so cute!” Yan Ruoxi picked up a palm sized glass rabbit and couldn’t let it go. “My dear husband, look, this lotus is so beautiful, like an ice sculpture.” Yan Ruotong picked up a transparent glass lotus and looked at it carefully. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were attracted by several small and exquisite vases and imagined what they would look like with fresh flowers in them. Zhang Wanqing looked at a small emerald green cup, her eyes full of love. “Take whatever you like, and I’ll ask Lao Liu to make it for you later.” Lin Xiao said with a smile as he looked at their excited expressions. “Thank you, husband!” The girls cheered immediately and chattered as they picked out their favorite items. “Sirs, ladies, there is a newly made mirror over here, please come and have a look.” Old man Liu bowed and led everyone to the other side. There were several mirrors inlaid with simple wooden frames hanging on the wall. The mirror surface was flat and smooth, shining with silvery light. “Is this the mirror my husband mentioned, the one that can see a hundred times clearer?” Yan Ruoxi walked forward curiously and looked into the mirror. The next moment, she suddenly covered her mouth with her eyes wide open! In the mirror, a pretty woman with fair skin and lively eyes was looking at her with the same surprise. The woman’s face was so clear that even the fine hairs on her face and the slightest smile lines at the corners of her eyes were clearly visible, as if another person was standing in front of her! “Oh…Oh my God! This…is this me?” Yan Ruoxi touched her face in disbelief, then looked at the mirror. The person in the mirror made the same gesture. “Sister! Come and see!” Yan Ruoxi excitedly pulled Yan Rutong over. Yan Ruotong walked to the mirror and was also shocked. The calm and gentle temperament of the woman in the mirror, as well as the look deep in her eyes, were so clear that she felt both strange and familiar. She subconsciously raised her hand to tidy up her hair, and the person in the mirror also moved synchronously. The sense of reality made her heart beat. “Really… so clear…” Yan Ruotong murmured, her voice trembling slightly. Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, and Zhang Wanqing also gathered around and took turns looking at themselves in the mirror. “My eyebrows look like this…” Pei Xueyi faced the mirror and gently traced the shape of her eyebrows. “This mirror can even see the mole at the corner of my mouth so clearly.” Liu Ruyan looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks slightly red. Zhang Wanqing looked at her gentle eyebrows and eyes in the mirror, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up. Even Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang came over to take pictures out of curiosity and shyness. When they saw their clear reflection in the mirror, although not as pretty as those young girls, they also had their own charm, and a smile of surprise appeared on their faces. For a moment, there were exclamations of admiration and surprise. For them, the shock and joy brought by this clear glass mirror were no less than any gold, silver or jewelry. Looking at them looking at themselves in the mirror, each of them looking so happy and graceful, Lin Xiao also laughed. At this time, Li Dequan hurried over. Seeing the lively scene here, his face was also full of smiles: “Brother Xiao, all the ladies are here.” He walked to Lin Xiao and reported in a low voice: “Brother Xiao, I have discussed the sale of these glass products with Lord Song. In the early stages, we can focus on mirrors and a small number of exquisite utensils, mainly targeting wealthy merchants and nobles in and outside the county.” Lin Xiao nodded: “That’s a good idea. Let’s do it according to your agreement. You and Song Qinghe will take care of the specific matters.” “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao!” Li Dequan bowed in response. Lin Xiao smiled slightly and continued, “After a while, I will come up with a new gadget that will also be epoch making. By then, our territory will have another big and profitable industry, and the people will also benefit even more.” “Oh? There’s something new?” Li Dequan’s eyes lit up. “What’s that? Is it as magical as this glass?” Lin Xiao smiled but kept it a secret: “You’ll know when the time comes. Once that thing comes out, every household will need it, especially women, they will definitely like it.” Chapter 283 Knowledge is Power After visiting the glass factory, Lin Xiao returned to his mansion with a group of satisfied women. The magic of the glass mirror was so great that Yan Ruoxi and the others were chattering about it along the way, their excitement still lingering. One said it should be placed in front of the dressing table, and the other said it should be hung on the head of the bed. Even Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang couldn’t help but join in the discussion, their faces glowing with anticipation. When I returned to the backyard, I saw the two sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu doing needlework in the corridor. Hearing the footsteps, the two little girls quickly stood up, “Master, young ladies.” “Yeah,” Lin Xiao nodded with a smile, and took out two small glass objects from his arms, one was a transparent bird, and the other was a light blue fish, and handed them to them, “Have fun with them.” The two little girls’ eyes lit up instantly. They took it carefully with surprised expressions on their faces. “Thank you, young master!” Their voices were soft, with happiness that was hard to conceal. Looking at the two little girls holding the glass bird and fish, showing them to each other and whispering in amazement, Yan Ruoxi and the others smiled knowingly. Lin Xiao then instructed someone to hang the largest glass mirror he had brought back on the wall of his room. The mirror was half a person’s height and was framed in a smooth wooden frame. It stood there, clearly reflecting everything in the room and making the entire room appear much brighter. It’s late at night. Lin Xiao finished his business and returned to his room. Liu Ruyan was wearing a thin white dance dress and dancing in front of the newly hung large mirror. Under the candlelight, the mirror clearly reflected her graceful figure and beautiful face. There was no music, only the silent night and the flickering candlelight. Her dance was soft and graceful, like a willow swaying in the wind, or like flowing clouds. The long sleeves flutter and the skirt spins, every movement is full of classical charm. Lin Xiao did not make any noise to disturb them, but just leaned against the door frame and admired them quietly. After a long time, Liu Ruyan stopped spinning and breathed slightly. At this moment, she felt someone approaching from behind. Turning back, she saw Lin Xiao approaching. “Ah!” Liu Ruyan cried out softly, and two blushes instantly appeared on her face. “You dance beautifully.” Lin Xiao walked up to her, his eyes full of aggression, “Next time, dance more for me.” The next moment, there was a slight “hiss” sound, and the white dance dress on Liu Ruyan’s body was roughly torn open by Lin Xiao, revealing the mauve undergarment and snow white skin underneath. “Ah!” Liu Ruyan was caught off guard and let out a short scream. She was embarrassed and anxious. She quickly covered her shoulders with her hands and glared at Lin Xiao with embarrassment and annoyance. In the mirror, the fire in the man’s eyes grew even brighter, and he leaned forward… After a long time, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped. Lin Xiao lay on his side on the bed, looking at the beautiful woman sleeping beside him. The shame and panic on Liu Ruyan’s beautiful face had faded away, replaced by a lazy and moving blush of satisfaction. In her sleep, she no longer had the coolness and dignity that she had during the day, but instead had a touch of endearing fragility and charm. Lin Xiao stretched out his hand and gently brushed away a strand of hair that was stuck to her cheek, feeling a delicate and smooth touch on his fingertips. He couldn’t help but sigh, how could an ordinary person like him dare to dream of such a day and such a beauty on earth? After traveling through time and space, although I was living in a chaotic world with dangers everywhere, I did receive many unexpected “benefits”. At this moment, the system prompt sounded in my mind. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by +7, current favorability: 41] Liu Ruyan’s favorability finally broke through 40! It’s time to draw again! Lin Xiao was in high spirits, wondering what good stuff he could get this time. He immediately said in his mind: “System, draw a prize!” The familiar lucky draw wheel appeared in his mind again, and the pointer began to spin rapidly. Lin Xiao’s heart also began to rise. Finally, the pointer slowly stopped and froze in an area emitting intellectual light. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining: a complete set of knowledge in junior high school mathematics, chemistry, and physics, as well as a comprehensive memory!] boom! A huge and clear stream of information instantly flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind. This time it was not specific drawings or technologies, but systematic basic scientific knowledge! Geometry, functions, mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism (basic part), periodic table, chemical equations, acids, bases, and salts, introduction to organic matter… These knowledge, which seems to be extremely basic in modern society, have huge value at this moment! Lin Xiao was ecstatic! Previous steel technology, flintlock rifles, cannons, glass, and the spinning jenny were all like finished products or near finished drawings that the system directly “fed” him. He knows how to do it and knows that the result will be impressive, but he often only has a vague understanding of the underlying principles, relying more on the “manufacturing memory” instilled by the system. But now it’s different! The knowledge of the three fundamental disciplines of mathematics, physics, and chemistry can connect all these drawings together! In fact, they can even weave the warp and weft of the future technological network! Mathematics is the foundation of all engineering. With systematic mathematical knowledge, calculating the trajectory of artillery, designing more sophisticated mechanical structures, and conducting large scale engineering surveying and resource statistics will become more accurate and efficient. Many things that were previously estimated based on experience can now be calculated using formulas! Physics holds the key to understanding the laws of the world. The analysis of forces allowed him to improve machinery and increase efficiency; knowledge of thermodynamics helped improve furnaces and even laid the theoretical foundation for future steam engines; The principles of optics can be used to manufacture telescopes and microscopes, greatly expanding the scope of human observation; Chemistry can enable him to truly understand the nature of material changes. It is no longer an alchemical gamble, but material analysis, purification and synthesis can be carried out purposefully. This means better quality steel alloys, more stable and powerful gunpowder formulas, and even the possibility of creating fertilizers, dyes, medicines, and more! This is not just knowledge from a few books, it is a completely new way of thinking, a systematic, logical and quantifiable way to understand and transform the world! With these basic scientific knowledge, the craftsmen under his command will no longer be just craftsmen doing repetitive work, they have the opportunity to transform into real engineers and technicians! He can systematically cultivate talents and let this knowledge take root and sprout in this land! This is far more significant than simply acquiring a few advanced technologies! This is the power that can truly drive the entire progress of civilization! Lin Xiao was so excited that he almost sat up in bed. He suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, glanced at Liu Ruyan who was sleeping beside him, and a faint smile appeared on his face. Chapter 284 Making a Textile Machine The next morning, Lin Xiao got up early and went to the study. Lin Xiao spread out paper and pen and began to write quickly. Combining the existing cognitive level and language habits of the Zhou Dynasty, he recorded the most core and basic parts of junior high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry in an easy to understand way. He wrote slowly, striving to make every concept clear and accurate, and every principle intuitive and easy to understand. This is the cornerstone of future industrial systems and technological development, and we cannot afford to be careless. After being busy for half the morning, Lin Xiao put down his pen and breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the paper filled with symbols, pictures and words, my eyes are filled with confidence for the future. Knowledge is the real power. After putting away the written manuscript, Lin Xiao decided to make the Jenny spinning machine today. The textile industry is related to people’s livelihood. It can improve people’s lives in the fastest way and also bring huge economic benefits. He got up and walked out of the study and went straight to Zhang Fuan’s workshop. “Fuan!” As soon as Lin Xiao arrived at the door of the workshop, he saw Zhang Fuan directing the craftsmen with sweat on his forehead. “Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan paused his work upon hearing Lin Xiao’s voice and hurried over. A simple smile adorned his dark face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “You’re here! Are we going to make that new thing you mentioned today?” Lin Xiao nodded: “Yes, today. Gather some of the best carpenters and blacksmiths and come with me.” “Okay!” Zhang Fuan was immediately cheered up when he heard it and ran to make arrangements immediately. He was itching to try something new. The things Lin Xiao had brought out before, whether it was a blast furnace, guns, or glass, had all opened his eyes and made him very excited. This new thing would definitely be no different! “Sir, everyone is here! Tell me, what are we going to do this time?” Zhang Fuan came to Lin Xiao with a few carpenters who were also full of curiosity and expectation. “Follow me and you’ll find out.” Lin Xiao smiled mysteriously and took them to an empty warehouse. “This thing is called a spinning machine, and it’s used for spinning yarn.” Lin Xiao drew a blueprint and began to explain its structure and principles. “Nowadays, we all spin yarn with hand cranked spinning wheels, which can only spin one thread at a time. My spinning machine can spin several, even dozens of threads at a time!” Everyone was surprised when they heard this. Spinning dozens of yarns at a time? How is that possible? Lin Xiao ignored their doubts and started giving orders directly. “Fuan, take the carpenter to build this shelf. It needs to be sturdy. The dimensions are…” “Blacksmiths, you guys are here to make these metal parts, especially these slender rods and hooks. They must be smooth and flat, without any burrs…” While explaining, Lin Xiao drew pictures to demonstrate and even made prototypes of some key components himself. The craftsmen were all experienced hands. Although they did not understand many of the principles that Lin Xiao explained, they quickly understood them when they saw the specific sizes, shapes and assembly methods. Zhang Fuan followed Lin Xiao closely like a sponge absorbing water, not missing any details. He knew that this was another “magic skill” passed down by adults, and learning it would be a great benefit! Everyone was enthusiastic and energetic, sawdust flying, hammers clanging, and the open space soon became bustling with activity. Time passed little by little, and under Lin Xiao’s precise guidance, a machine with a somewhat strange shape, made of wood and a small amount of metal, gradually took shape. It looks like an enlarged spinning wheel, but with more spindles arranged together. “It’s done!” Lin Xiao looked at the machine in front of him and nodded with satisfaction. This was the simplest eight spindle spinning jenny. “Is this… a spinning machine?” The craftsmen gathered around curiously and looked at this new thing. “Yes, that’s it.” Lin Xiao smiled. “Fuan, go find some processed cotton or silk, and find a woman with the best spinning skills.” “Okay! Please wait, sir!” Zhang Fuan responded and ran out excitedly. Soon, Zhang Fuan came back with a woman in her forties whose hands were covered with calluses. It was obvious that she had been doing textile work for many years. “Auntie, don’t be nervous.” Lin Xiao smiled gently, “This machine is a new spinning wheel I made. I want you to try it out.” “New…new spinning wheel?” The woman looked at the spinning jenny curiously. Lin Xiao patiently demonstrated to her how to operate: how to fix the thick cotton strips on the spindle cart, how to shake the big wheel to make the spindle rotate, and how to control the forward and backward movement of the spindle cart to stretch and wind the yarn. The woman was an experienced hand. Although the machines were different, the principles of spinning were the same. She quickly understood the key points of the operation, carefully sat down in front of the machine, and began to try. She first slowly turned the big wheel, and immediately the eight spindles began to spin rapidly in synchronization, making a light “buzzing” sound. Then, she controlled the spindle cart to slowly move backward, stretching and twisting the cotton strips into thread. After she became proficient in the movements, she increased the speed of turning the wheel, and the spindle cart moved back and forth. Eight even cotton yarns were spun out at the same time and neatly wound on the spindle. The warehouse was completely silent. Everyone stared with wide eyes, holding their breath, staring at the scene in disbelief! “Oh…Oh my god!” “Eight…eight threads! I can spin eight threads at a time!” “It’s amazing! It’s really amazing!” The carpenters burst into uncontrollable exclamations, their faces flushed with excitement as they looked at the eight rapidly spinning spindles and the yarn rolls that were getting thicker and thicker. The woman was so shocked that she couldn’t close her mouth. She had been spinning yarn all her life, but she had never seen such a fast speed! She felt like she wasn’t spinning, but performing a magic trick! The more she spun, the more skilled she became, and the faster she spun, and the expression on her face changed from initial shock to confidence! “This efficiency…this efficiency!” Zhang Fuan rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes shining. “Brother Xiao! If this thing gets out, our Qinglin County’s yarn production will increase many times over!” Zhang Fuan’s mind raced with calculations. If one woman could spin ten kilograms of yarn a day using this machine, then one hundred women could spin a thousand kilograms, and a thousand women could spin ten thousand kilograms! This is more than ten times more efficient than before! With more yarn, there will naturally be more cloth, and with cheaper cloth, everyone can wear good clothes! “This is simply a magical object!” an old carpenter said in a trembling voice, looking at the machine he assembled with his own hands, his eyes full of disbelief and pride. Everyone was immersed in great shock and longing. Although this machine is not as shocking as guns or as dazzling as glass, it brings real changes to life and is tangible hope. Lin Xiao looked at the shocked, excited and anticipating expressions of the crowd, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. This is the power of science and technology, which can most directly improve productivity and improve people’s livelihood. Chapter 285 Technology Changes Life “Fuan, what do you think of this thing?” Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan suddenly came back to his senses and spoke incoherently with excitement: “How is it? Brother Xiao! This thing is amazing! It’s amazing! With it, our lives will be better! This is a magical tool that will benefit all people!” He was so excited that his face turned red and his neck became thick, and he was completely unable to express the excitement in his heart in words. Lin Xiao listened to his words and felt something in his heart. He knew that Zhang Fuan had always worked diligently with him, and that Zhang Fuan had also been a core participant in previous technologies such as glass and artillery. Now we have made a spinning machine, which is so closely related to people’s livelihood. “Since you think it’s a good idea,” Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan and said solemnly, “From now on, let’s call this spinning machine the Fuan Spinning Machine.” “What?!” When Zhang Fuan heard this, he was stunned as if struck by lightning. He suspected that he had misheard and his eyes widened. The craftsmen nearby were also stunned and looked at each other. “Brother Xiao…what…what did you say?” Zhang Fuan asked stutteringly, his hands trembling slightly. “I say, this spinning machine will be called the Fu’an Spinning Machine from now on.” Lin Xiao repeated, his tone unquestionable, “You put in the most effort to build this machine from scratch, and it deserves to be named after you.” “No, no, no!” Zhang Fuan came back to his senses and quickly waved his hands, his face full of excitement and fear. “Brother Xiao, this is not allowed! This thing is your idea, it’s your ability! I’m just helping you out, doing some hard labor, how can you use my name!” Although he longed for recognition, how could he dare to take credit for such a great achievement? This was a “divine artifact” that could benefit all people. Once word spread, wouldn’t his name be passed down through the ages? How could a mere carpenter like him afford this? “Fuan, my decision won’t change.” Lin Xiao’s tone became tougher. “You contributed the most to this thing, and you will be responsible for its promotion and improvement in the future. It’s settled, Fuan Spinning Machine!” Lin Xiao’s attitude made Zhang Fuan realize that he could no longer refuse. He stood there, his body trembling slightly, tears welling up in his eyes. A name that will live forever! A country carpenter who couldn’t even read a single word actually had the chance to be remembered forever! This feeling made him a hundred times more excited than having a son himself! He fell to his knees with a thud, his voice choked with sobs: “Brother Xiao… I have no way of repaying your kindness! From now on, this life, this life, is yours!” Zhang Fuan looked at Lin Xiao, his eyes filled with immense admiration and fanaticism. He knew that the best decision he had ever made in his life was to follow the person in front of him wholeheartedly! Lin Xiao helped Zhang Fuan up and patted him on the shoulder: “Work hard, there will be more things for you to do in the future.” He glanced around at the fiery eyed craftsmen again, a thought stirring within him. Just now, while directing them to build the spinning machine, he’d clearly sensed that despite their exceptional skill and extensive experience, they were often simply following the blueprints and his instructions, completely bewildered as to why they were doing what they were doing, or what the underlying principles were. If this continued, efficiency would remain limited, let alone innovation and improvement. “Fuan, come here.” Lin Xiao waved to Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan quickly wiped away his tears and followed respectfully. “Fuan, take these books.” Lin Xiao handed the manuscript to Zhang Fuan, “These are some basic knowledge I wrote about mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Take it back, read it yourself first, and copy a few copies to send to Song Qing and the others. Let all literate people learn it, especially those in charge and young craftsmen, they must learn it!” Zhang Fuan carefully took the stacks of papers, which felt heavy in his hands. He opened the first page and saw some strange figures drawn on it, as well as many symbols he had never seen before. There were notes written in words he could understand next to them, which seemed to be explaining things like “points, lines, and surfaces”. Although he didn’t quite understand it, he instinctively felt that this was definitely something extremely important! “Yes! Brother Xiao! I will definitely copy it as soon as possible so that everyone can learn it!” Zhang Fuan solemnly held the manuscript in his arms, as if holding an imperial edict. “Well, you arrange the production of the spinning machine first and make the first batch as soon as possible. I’ll go back first.” After Lin Xiao gave the instructions, he turned and left. Not long after Lin Xiao left, Song Qinghe and Li Dequan hurried to the warehouse. They heard that the adults had come up with some new gadgets, so they came to take a look. As soon as they entered the warehouse, they saw Zhang Fuan sitting on a wooden block, holding several stacks of paper. Sometimes his brows were furrowed, sometimes his eyes were wide open, and he was muttering to himself. His expression was extremely strange, and he didn’t notice them coming in at all. Several craftsmen nearby also surrounded him, craning their necks to look at him, with a look of confusion and curiosity on their faces. “Fu’an? Fu’an?” Li Dequan shouted twice. “Ah?!” Zhang Fuan suddenly woke up from his dream and raised his head. Seeing Song Qinghe and Li Dequan, he quickly stood up and said, “Master Song! Uncle Dequan! Why are you here?” “I heard that the adults have come up with something good again, so we came to take a look.” Song Qinghe said with a smile, but his eyes fell on the stacks of papers in Zhang Fuan’s arms. “Fuan, what are you looking at? Why are you so engrossed in it?” “Oh! This! My Lord just gave it to me!” Zhang Fuan held the manuscript in front of the two of them like he was presenting a treasure. “My Lord said this is… the foundation of mathematics, physics, and chemistry! We should all learn it!” “Mathematics? Investigation of physics? Chemistry?” Song Qinghe and Li De were both stunned. They understand mathematics and have heard of the concept of “investigating things to gain knowledge”, but what is this “chemistry”? Song Qinghe took one of the manuscripts on “Mathematics” and began to look through it. After reading just a few pages, his hands began to tremble slightly and his breathing became a little rapid. It started with the simplest “one plus one equals two” and used an extremely rigorous and systematic approach to deduce various calculation rules, as well as methods for calculating the area and volume of figures. There were even some symbols and formulas he had never encountered before, and the notes next to them clearly explained their meaning and use. “This… this is…” Song Qinghe’s voice trembled with disbelief, “Such a rigorous mathematical system! This… is simply a stroke of genius!” Li Dequan also leaned over to look at another “physics” manuscript, which contained drawings of levers and pulleys, with the force arm and fulcrum clearly marked, and simple formulas explaining how they save effort. There were also explanations about buoyancy and pressure. Although he didn’t understand many of the terms, he was able to roughly understand the principles by combining the graphics and annotations. “Oh my goodness!” Li Dequan smacked his lips in amazement. “It says here that with just a few poles and wheels, you can lift a thousand pound weight? And it even explains exactly why the boat floats in the water!” He then turned to a “Chemistry” manuscript, which had various bottles and jars drawn on it, as well as some strange symbols combined together, with explanations such as “Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen” and “Why does iron rust” written next to it. “Could this ‘chemistry’ be alchemy?” Li Dequan asked doubtfully. “No! This is definitely not ordinary alchemy!” Song Qinghe put down the mathematics manuscript and picked up the chemistry book. The more he read, the more shocked he became. “This explains the fundamental principles of material changes! Look here, it explains the principles of steel smelting and why adding coke can produce better steel! And there’s also the improved formula of gunpowder…” The more they read, the more shocked they became, and the more their hearts surged! This knowledge, though seemingly basic, contained infinite power! “A divine book! This truly is a divine book!” Song Qinghe’s old face flushed with excitement. He carefully stroked the paper, as if it wasn’t just paper, but a priceless treasure. “Sir… Sir is truly… unfathomable! Where did he get this profound knowledge?!” Li Dequan nodded repeatedly and looked at Zhang Fuan: “Fuan, the adults said that we should all learn it. This must be treated as a top priority! We must quickly find someone to copy it, open a school, and let the managers and craftsmen learn it!” “Yes, yes, yes!” Zhang Fuan nodded repeatedly, his heart burning with joy. Chapter 286: Going to the next level It took a while for Song Qinghe and Li Dequan to calm down from the shock of the knowledge. “By the way, Fuan,” Song Qinghe remembered the purpose of this trip, “I heard that the master got a new spinning wheel today? Where is it?” “Oh! Right, right! I almost forgot something!” Zhang Fuan slapped his head, his face immediately showing an expression of immense pride and excitement. He straightened his back and said, “Master Song, Uncle Dequan, please follow me! This new spinning wheel has been named…Fuan Spinning Machine!” “Fu’an Spinning Machine?” Song Qinghe and Li Dequan looked at each other and saw surprise in each other’s eyes. Named after Zhang Fuan? This spinning machine is truly remarkable. It seems the Lord truly values Fuan! Zhang Fuan brought the two of them to the center of the warehouse and pointed at the brand new eight spindle Jenny spinning machine. “Is this the Fuan spinning machine?” Song Qinghe looked at this ingeniously structured machine with curiosity in his eyes. “Hurry! Find someone to demonstrate it!” Li Dequan was already impatient. Zhang Fuan quickly called the woman over and demonstrated again. When they saw the woman skillfully turning the wheel, the spindle moving back and forth, and eight yarns being spun out at the same time, which was many times faster than the traditional spinning wheel, Song Qinghe and Li Dequan were deeply shocked again! “This…this efficiency!” Song Qinghe gasped. He instantly understood the immense value of this machine. “If this thing becomes popular, the cloth production of Qinglin County will increase more than tenfold! Clothing the whole world will be just around the corner! The benefits are no less than those of a glass mirror!” Li Dequan’s face lit up with excitement. “Wow! We can spin so much thread in a day! From now on, every household will be able to buy new cloth to make clothes! We won’t have to mend the same clothes for years! Your Excellency is truly… a living Bodhisattva!” Looking at the rapidly spinning spindle, listening to the woman’s excited explanation, and thinking about the “sacred books” they had just seen, Song Qinghe and Li Dequan’s awe and admiration for Lin Xiao had reached its peak. Knowledge is power, technology changes life. They knew that a brand new era was about to begin on the land beneath their feet! The capital city, the imperial palace, and the throne room. The atmosphere was somewhat dull. The young Emperor Li Yan sat on the Dragon Throne, somewhat bored, fiddling with a newly made Luban lock. Below, the ministers were lined up, with the old prime minister Zhou Mubai standing at the head with a slightly furrowed brow. At this time, a minister of the Ministry of Revenue wearing a crimson official robe walked forward cautiously, holding a brocade box in both hands. “Your Majesty, I have a rare treasure to present to you.” Li Yan then raised his eyelids, somewhat disinterested: “Oh? Show it to me.” The eunuch took the brocade box, opened it, and presented it to the emperor. Inside the box was a bright yellow silk satin, on which lay several pieces of unusually clear and transparent “glass” of varying sizes. The largest piece is the size of a palm, with smooth and rounded edges. Under the light from the hall, it reflects a strange glow. “This is…” Li Yan’s eyes lit up instantly. He put down the jade pendant and picked up the largest piece of “glass”, examining it carefully against the light. “This thing is so transparent! It’s a hundred times better than the glass tribute from the palace!” The Minister of Revenue bowed and said, “Your Majesty is wise. This is called glass, and it was made by Lin Xiao of Qinglin County.” “Glass?” Li Yan became interested, stroking the cool, smooth surface of the glass with his fingers. “Can it be used as a window? Great! Wonderful! This thing is exquisitely carved. If it were embedded in my rosewood carved screen, or made into a palace window, wouldn’t it be beautiful?” The more he thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed. A childlike excitement flashed across his face, and he immediately ordered, “Send a message to Lin Xiao! This item is exactly what I want. Tell him to quickly pay tribute of a thousand pieces. The bigger the better! I want to use this item to decorate my bedroom!” Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue broke out in a cold sweat. He gritted his teeth and said, “Your Majesty… I have already sent someone to inquire. The Qinglin County replied… This glass is a unique craft of Qinglin County. It is very expensive and cannot be given away. It can only be… can only be purchased. And the price is very high.” “What?!” The smile on Li Yan’s face disappeared instantly. He slammed the armrest of the dragon throne and shouted angrily, “How dare you! A mere warrior from the border, born in the mud, dare to bargain with me?! His land, his people, which one of them is not mine? I want his things because I think highly of him! And he dares to ask for money?” Under the dragon’s might, all the ministers were silent. The old Prime Minister Zhou Mubai stepped out tremblingly and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, calm down. Lin Xiao is no longer the man he once was. Qinglin County under his rule has become a powerful force, commanding an army of 100,000 and possessing advanced firearms… While glass is useful, it’s not an urgent need for the nation. Further exacerbating conflict over a mere toy would be detrimental to the well being of the nation.” Li Yan was furious and refused to listen. He waved his hand impatiently, “Prime Minister, you’re wrong! This isn’t a toy, it’s a work of nature! My palace needs something like this to adorn it! He wants to sell it, doesn’t he? Fine! I’ll buy it! Tell him I’ve bought it! Let him name a price! I want to see how much he dares to ask!” The emperor’s stubborn temper flared up, and no one could dissuade him. All he could think about was how he would decorate his precious wood carvings and palaces with this glittering glass. Zhou Mubai looked at the emperor, who had a determined look on his face and was completely immersed in his own world, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only sigh and retreat. His heart is made up, there is no point in saying more. “Hmph!” Seeing no one objected, Li Yan nodded with satisfaction and asked, “By the way, Prime Minister Zhou, how is the training of the new army I asked you to form going?” Zhou Mubai’s expression brightened slightly at this mention. “Your Majesty, thanks to your great blessing, the new troops of the Beijing Camp have begun to show results and are training diligently. However… their equipment is still insufficient.” “Well, that’s good! Let’s take our time with the equipment!” Li Yan responded casually, and his mind drifted back to the crystal clear glass. Chapter 287 Glass Frenzy At the same time, in every corner of the Zhou Dynasty, from the prosperous Jiangnan to the wealthy Central Plains, a “glass fever” was quietly rising. A small glass mirror could be sold for hundreds of taels of silver in the aristocratic circle, and was in short supply. Cups and ornaments made of glass were sold at sky high prices. Countless caravans flocked to Qinglin County with large sums of money, just to purchase this novel and precious “glass”. In the accounting office of the Qinglin County Magistrate’s Mansion. Song Qinghe held the abacus, his fingers flying and clacking rapidly. His face was filled with uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement. Next to them, Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan also leaned over and looked at the astonishing numbers in the account book with their eyes wide open . “How much? Sir Song, tell me quickly, how much have we earned from selling glass recently?” Li Dequan rubbed his hands and asked impatiently. Song Qinghe put down his abacus, took a deep breath, and his voice trembled: “Uncle Dequan, Brother Fuan! Guess what? In just these two months, the sales of glass products alone, after deducting all costs, the net profit… the net profit is over 1.8 million taels of silver!” “Hiss ” Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan took a deep breath at the same time, their eyes widening. One million eight hundred thousand taels! What kind of concept is that? The annual tax revenue of the Great Zhou Dynasty was only about ten million taels! In just two months, they made that much just from selling glass? “Oh my goodness!” Li Dequan smacked his lips in amazement. “This is faster than robbing money! Back in the day, in Qingshan Village, we were thankful if we could have a few hundred taels of surplus year round!” Zhang Fuan’s face flushed with excitement. “One million eight hundred thousand taels…how much food can we buy with this? How many weapons can we make? How many brothers can we pay with this?” Song Qinghe picked up the account book and said with emotion: “This is just the beginning! The demand for glass is huge, and our production is still increasing. Moreover, according to the instructions of the adults, we did not exhaust all the fish in the pond, but controlled the shipment volume and maintained high prices. This glass is like an inexhaustible gold mine! With this money, our county can afford to do whatever it wants! ” A few days later, in the meeting hall of the county governor’s office. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, and core members including Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, and Zhang Fuan gathered together. “Tell me, what’s the situation in various aspects recently?” Lin Xiao tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and swept his eyes over everyone calmly. Song Qinghe was the first to stand up, clearing his throat. A confident smile crossed his face. “Sir, regarding government affairs, since accepting refugees, the total number of registered households in the county has exceeded 250,000, with a population exceeding 1.1 million. The newly resettled refugees have settled down, with most participating in the ‘work for relief’ program. Public security is good in all areas.” “In terms of finance, the autumn grain storage has been successfully completed. The government warehouses have stored 3.5 million dan of grain, and there are countless sweet potatoes, potatoes and other grains. The glass industry was very profitable, with a net income of 1.8 million taels in two months, which greatly alleviated the financial pressure. Commerce in all counties continues to recover, and tax revenue is growing steadily. Schools at the county, township, and prefecture levels are operating normally, with nearly 40,000 children enrolled in elementary school. Next came Li Dequan, his face flushed and his voice booming: “Brother Lin Xiao! The scaffolding at the first level of our village is in great use! The newcomers feel at ease when they see how we are doing here, and they work very hard! Now, every village is busy building water conservancy projects, roads and bridges. The people’s lives are becoming more promising day by day!” Then came Sun Mingde. He stood up, his back straight. “Brother Xiao! On the military side, the Qinglin Army’s total strength remains at 100,000. The flintlock workshop has already produced nearly 3,000 qualified flintlock rifles. The first batch of 1,000 has been distributed to the veteran battalion for familiarization training, and the response has been excellent! Over at the artillery battalion, according to your drawings, we’ve successfully cast twelve bronze cannons, and are currently undergoing test firing and adjustments! The soldiers are in high spirits and ready to go into battle at any time!” Finally, it was Zhang Fuan’s turn. He is now responsible for technology research and development and production, and his position is becoming increasingly important. He stood up, his eyes bright, “Brother Xiao! The steel plant is running stably, the blast furnace is running well, and the output and quality of steel are steadily improving, fully meeting the needs of weapons and farm implement production. The glass factory was already on track, and in addition to mirrors and utensils, the technology for firing flat glass had also matured. Production of the Fuan spinning machine is also accelerating. The first batch has already been delivered to the newly established textile workshops for trial use, and their efficiency is astonishing! In addition, I have organized people to copy the several books you gave me, and have had the managers and young craftsmen in each workshop start learning them! After listening to everyone’s reports, Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. Population growth, food abundance, financial comfort, military upgrades, technological advancements… Everything was proceeding smoothly and methodically according to his plan. The power he had built was becoming increasingly solid and powerful. “Very good.” Lin Xiao spoke, his voice soft but full of unquestionable strength, “Everyone has worked hard during this period, and the results are remarkable.” He changed the subject, his eyes becoming penetrating. “We have food, money, and new weapons are starting to be deployed. Next, there are a few things we need to do urgently.” Everyone cheered up and looked at Lin Xiao. “First, Song Qinghe, we will continue to operate the glass business, but we must start to sell selectively, especially large pieces of flat glass, to give priority to meeting our own needs. At the same time, the textile industry must be developed as quickly as possible, and large scale textile workshops must be established to absorb more people into employment, especially women. The cloth should not only be used for our own needs, but also serve as a new export commodity for us.” “Secondly, Zhang Fuan, steel production must continue to expand to lay a solid foundation for subsequent, larger scale weapons replacement and industrial development. The production of flintlock rifles and cannons cannot be stopped, and quality must be strictly controlled. At the same time, the promotion of those basic knowledge books should be accelerated. We can open special night schools or technical training courses to quickly cultivate a group of skilled and innovative craftsmen.” “Third, Sun Mingde, we must speed up the training of new weapons and develop combat effectiveness as soon as possible. Several live fire exercises should be organized to familiarize the soldiers with the power and tactics of the new weapons. At the same time, intelligence work must not be relaxed, and we must closely monitor the movements of surrounding forces.” “Fourth, Uncle Li Dequan, people’s livelihood is fundamental. We must continue to improve infrastructure, promote high quality agricultural tools, and encourage people to develop animal husbandry and sideline businesses. We must do a good job of ideological work for the newly arrived refugees, so that they can quickly integrate into Qinglin County and become part of us.” Lin Xiao glanced at the crowd and spoke in a steady tone, “What we need to do is not just to live in peace in a corner. Qinglin County is just our starting point. In the future, we want to ensure that everyone on this land has enough food and clothing, and can live and work in peace and contentment. We will build a new order and a more prosperous world!” Listening to the blueprint described by Lin Xiao and feeling the majestic momentum contained in his words, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Zhang Fuan and others all felt their hearts surge and their blood boil. “Yes! We will follow your orders, sir!” Everyone responded in unison, their voices filled with longing for the future. Chapter 287 Cloud Scenery The meeting was over, and everyone took their orders and left, going about their own business. Lin Xiao returned to the backyard, and the huge courtyard seemed a little deserted. The chattering sisters Yan Ruoxi and the passionate Aunt Wang are no longer here. Only Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were sitting opposite each other, with a small table in front of them, on which was placed tea and a few plates of exquisite pastries. The two were whispering something, and the breeze blew by, ruffling their hair and skirts. The scene was quiet and beautiful. Liu Ruyan wore a lavender dress, her temperament becoming even more calm and gentle, with a hint of grace between her brows. Pei Xueyi wore a light blue skirt, simple and elegant, like a secluded orchid in a valley. “Huh? Why are there only two of you? Where are Ruoxi and the others?” Lin Xiao walked over and asked casually. Pei Xueyi raised her head and smiled gently: “They can’t sit still. They said they opened a few new shops, so they went shopping together.” Liu Ruyan also put down the teacup in her hand and glanced at Lin Xiao. “It’s just perfect for some quiet time.” Lin Xiao smiled and sat down on the stone bench next to them. He glanced at the two of them and said, “Since they’re not here, do you want to go up to heaven with me? Let’s see what our Qinglin County looks like now?” Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi looked at each other and recalled their previous wonderful experience of flying in the sky on a fur ball. “God?” A hint of anticipation flashed in Pei Xueyi’s eyes, and then she remembered something and her cheeks turned a little red. Liu Ruyan also nodded slightly. She was indeed curious about how this land had changed after all this time. Lin Xiao immediately called Maoqiu. Not long after, accompanied by a clear eagle’s cry, a huge figure covered half of the yard, and the ball of fur landed steadily, folded its wings, and lowered its proud head. The three of them sat on it, and the ball of fur flapped its wings. A huge airflow swept up the fallen leaves on the ground, and it flew higher and higher. The courtyard, mansion, and city were all shrinking rapidly. Soon, the entire Qinglin County City and its surrounding scenery slowly unfolded under his feet like a scroll. Looking down from a high altitude, the feeling is particularly real. There were only roads crisscrossing each other, and wide, smooth roads connected villages, towns, and forts. There are endless cars, horses and pedestrians on the road. Although they look like ants from a high altitude, the busyness and vitality are overwhelming. In the vast and neatly planned fields, the rice stubble that had just been harvested was still golden, and some fields had been planted with winter crops, making them lush green. The newly built canals meander like silver ribbons, bringing water to the fields. Many water wheels can be seen turning slowly. The village is obviously denser and more orderly than before. Many new houses have sprung up, with smoke rising from cooking fires, full of the breath of life. Occasionally, you can see some large scale workshop areas, with blue smoke coming out of the chimneys of the blast furnaces, which means that steel and glass are being produced continuously. Further away, one could even vaguely see some open fields where soldiers in uniform were training in neat formations, with a faint aura of murderous intent emanating from them. Busy figures can be seen everywhere in the fields and road construction sites. This vibrant and prosperous scene formed a stark contrast to the desolate and dilapidated other places in Liu Ruyan’s memory. “When I was in the capital, I mostly heard about exorbitant taxes and the people’s miserable lives.” Liu Ruyan looked at the vibrant land beneath her feet and sighed softly, with a hint of complex emotions in her voice. “Who would have thought that in this chaotic world, there would be such a peaceful place. For the people here, being able to live under your rule is perhaps… the greatest blessing in their lives.” Pei Xueyi didn’t say anything, she just watched quietly, her gaze slowly moving from the vast land to the profile of the man beside her. That face that always showed a calm and confident look now looked particularly gentle in the sunlight. Ripples appeared in her heart, and a sweet feeling quietly grew. Her eyes fell on Lin Xiao, and her admiration was mixed with a bit of indescribable tender love. At this moment, the system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Ding! Pei Xueyi’s Favorability: 10+12] Huh? Lin Xiao was slightly stunned. Pei Xueyi’s favorability had always been low, but this time it suddenly increased by 12 points? He turned his head and met Pei Xueyi’s affectionate gaze. When their eyes met, Pei Xueyi lowered her head quickly like a frightened deer, and her fair cheeks were flushed with a touching blush. Looking at her shy appearance, Lin Xiao’s heart moved. He moved over and pecked her soft cheek gently. “You…” Pei Xueyi exclaimed, raised her head, looked at him shyly and angrily, her face turning even redder. Lin Xiao chuckled, looking at the two stunning beauties, feeling the breeze from the sky, and feeling very happy. A hint of mischief flashed in his eyes: “Since we’re already up here, we’re free anyway, why don’t we… stick to the old rules?” “Old rules?” Liu Ruyan was still a little confused and looked at Lin Xiao curiously. Pei Xueyi instantly understood what he meant. Recalling the last shameful yet exciting experience on Maoqiu’s back, her cheeks instantly turned red as if bleeding, and even her ears were dyed pink. She lowered her head and whispered softly, “Hmm…” Liu Ruyan saw Pei Xueyi’s reaction, then saw Lin Xiao’s malicious smile, and immediately understood what was going on. Her pretty face flushed red, and she glared at Lin Xiao, feeling embarrassed and angry. “You… in broad daylight, in heaven!” Having said that, her eyes were a little evasive, and deep in her heart she felt a strange sense of anticipation and nervousness. “It’s better in heaven, no one will disturb us.” Lin Xiao laughed, stretched out his long arms, and took Liu Ruyan, who was screaming in surprise, into his arms. Liu Ruyan struggled symbolically twice, then fell limply into his arms. Feeling his strong arms and warm breath, her heartbeat accelerated involuntarily, and her face flushed. Pei Xueyi was so embarrassed that she didn’t dare to look up. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly and she leaned on his other side. The wind whistled in my ears, accompanied by two suppressed screams and whimpers… Chapter 289 Dyeing Above the clouds, the sound of the wind gradually died down. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi both had flushed cheeks and were breathing rapidly. They were each frantically tidying up their clothes and hair that had been messed up by the wind and by someone else. The two avoided each other’s gazes, not daring to meet each other’s eyes, but a faint pink remained at the base of their ears. The bold intimacy on Maoqiu’s back before made their hearts beat like drums even though there was no one around. Thinking about it now, their cheeks still feel hot. Lin Xiao looked at the two beauties’ charming appearance, chuckled, and reached out to tidy up Liu Ruyan’s scattered black hair. “Okay, let’s go look somewhere else.” Maoqiu understood, adjusted the direction, and flew the three of them toward the border of Qinglin County. Soon, the scene below began to change. Instead of neatly laid out ridges and broad, smooth roads, there were bumpy, muddy paths that meandered like ugly scars on the earth. The crops in the fields were sparse, short, withered, and dry, a stark contrast to the lack of care and water. The village became dilapidated, the adobe houses were crumbling, and the thatched roofs were leaking everywhere, forming a stark contrast with the new houses that were rising from the ground in Qinglin County. Occasionally, you can see people moving on the ridges of fields or at the entrance of the village. Most of them are pale and thin, dressed in tattered clothes, with numbness and confusion in their eyes. The children were barefoot, chasing the skinny local dogs, but their stomachs were slightly bloated, a sign of long term malnutrition. The air seemed to be filled with a sense of poverty and despair. Liu Ruyan watched all this, the blush on her face gradually faded, replaced by a complex and indescribable sadness. She was born into a noble family and although she knew the suffering of the people, seeing such a scene so directly was still a huge shock. She subconsciously grabbed Lin Xiao’s arm, as if to draw a bit of strength and security from him. Pei Xueyi also fell silent. She sighed softly, withdrew her gaze from below, and looked at Lin Xiao’s profile. In addition to the previous admiration in her eyes, there was a bit more gratitude and dependence. She knew that if she had not met this man, perhaps she and Song Qinghe would have been among the countless suffering people. This land is completely different from the Qinglin County they just flew over. One is full of vitality, hope and energy; the other is lifeless, struggling on the line of subsistence. “Go back.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, but there was an imperceptible sharpness in the depths of his eyes. This contrast further strengthened his determination to change the world, even if initially he just wanted to live his own life. Maoqiu let out another eagle cry, turned around and flew back towards Qinglin County City. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi both moved closer to Lin Xiao, as if only his broad chest could isolate them from the heart wrenching suffering in the outside world. When I returned to the county magistrate’s mansion and just got off Maoqiu’s back, I heard a burst of lively laughter in the yard. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Mrs. Lin, and Aunt Wang came back from outside with big and small bags, their faces filled with excitement and satisfaction. “Husband! Look what we bought!” Yan Ruoxi was sharp eyed and was the first to see Lin Xiao. She immediately flew over like a happy little bird, holding up a piece of plain silk in her hand as if offering a treasure. “The material of this newly opened silk shop is really good, but it lacks a few colors.” “Yes, husband, we also bought some snacks for you, please try them.” Yan Rutong also walked over with a smile and handed a food box to Lin Xiao. Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang were also chattering and showing off their “trophies”, which included cloth, rouge and powder, and some novel gadgets. The whole yard was suddenly filled with a happy atmosphere, dispelling the dullness brought by witnessing the barren scene from high above. Lin Xiao took the snacks with a smile, and his mood improved when he saw their excited expressions. He responded casually, listening to them talk about their shopping experiences, while silently communicating with the system in his mind. Pei Xueyi’s favorability exceeded 20 points, and she got another chance to draw a lottery. “System, draw a lottery.” [Ding! Lottery in progress… Congratulations to the host for winning: Complete Dyeing Technology Memory Set (covering all manual and industrial dyeing processes, formulas, and related equipment manufacturing knowledge from ancient times to the present, from natural dyes to chemically synthesized dyes).] A huge and detailed stream of information instantly flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind: the extraction methods of various mineral and plant dyes, the techniques for using different mordants, the details of traditional crafts such as skein, batik, and tie dyeing, and even the synthesis principles and industrial production processes of modern chemical dyes… Countless mysteries about colors unfolded clearly in his mind. Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a smile. This dyeing technology came at the perfect time. His eyes fell on the plain silk in Yan Ruoxi’s hand, and then he looked at the various fabrics bought by other girls . Most of them were common colors such as green, blue, gray, and brown. There were very few bright and colorful ones, and they were very expensive. “Ruoxi, what are you buying these plain cloths for?” Lin Xiao picked up the piece of silk. It was smooth to the touch and was indeed a good material. “It looks good! Although it’s a bit plain, it can be used as an inner garment or embroidered with flowers.” Yan Ruoxi said as a matter of course, “It would be better if it had better colors. It’s a pity that those bright dyes are too expensive, and there are only a few kinds.” “Who said there isn’t?” Lin Xiao smiled mysteriously and weighed the silk in his hand. “Tomorrow, I’ll take you guys on an interesting adventure. I’ll dye whatever color fabric you want.” “Ah?” Yan Ruoxi was stunned for a moment, then blinked her beautiful eyes, “Husband, you can also dye cloth?” “Is this true?” Aunt Wang interrupted. “The old masters in the dyeing workshop all said that such good colors are hard to come by, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. It’s the best you can do to dye a proper red or purple, and you need precious medicinal herbs! Brother Xiao, can you really do it?” The other girls also looked at Lin Xiao with surprise and suspicion. In their understanding, dyeing is a complicated and expensive craft, and the types of colors are limited. It is not as easy and casual as Lin Xiao said. “You will know tomorrow.” Lin Xiao did not explain much, but just kept it a secret. Looking at the girls’ skeptical yet curious expressions, his mood became more and more cheerful. He couldn’t wait to see their surprised expressions when they saw the colorful fabrics tomorrow. Chapter 290 New Way to Make Money Early the next morning, after Lin Xiao had breakfast, he went directly to the workshop area. Zhang Fuan had already received instructions and was waiting with a dozen skilled craftsmen. Among these craftsmen, some are good at carpentry, some are proficient in masonry, and they are all experienced veterans. “Sir, what do you want us to do?” Zhang Fuan stepped forward with his usual honest smile on his face and anticipation in his eyes. “Build a dyeing factory.” Lin Xiao didn’t waste any words and directly took out a few sketches. “I have already chosen the place. It’s over there, close to the water source and convenient for sewage disposal. According to the requirements on the drawings, build me several large dye vats, some made of pottery and some made of wood, with the dimensions and specifications clearly marked. Build a few more stoves next to it, the kind that can steadily hold large pots to boil water. In addition, a spacious shed should be built to dry cloth and provide good ventilation.” Zhang Fuan took the drawing and just glanced at it, and he roughly understood it. The drawings were clear and concise, with all the dimensions clearly marked, and were more detailed than any drawings he had ever seen. He secretly admired the adult’s brain. I don’t know what it was like. He knew everything! “I understand, sir! I promise to make it perfect for you!” Zhang Fuan patted his chest and promised, and immediately called on the craftsmen to start working. Hammering, moving stones and transporting soil, the construction site was bustling with activity. Lin Xiao personally took charge and pointed out the construction details of key parts, especially the material and sealing of the dye vat, which had extremely high requirements. After working hard for most of the morning, the prototype of a simple but fully functional dyeing workshop emerged. Several brand new large stone pools are neatly arranged, with scaffolding and stoves built next to them, and tools such as wooden barrels are also ready. Just then, a silver bell like laughter came from afar. “Husband! We are here!” Yan Ruoxi’s voice came from afar. Lin Xiao looked up and saw sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, as well as Sister Lin, Aunt Wang, Pei Xueyi, Liu Ruyan and others, all walking towards him curiously. When they heard Lin Xiao say he wanted to dye cloth yesterday, they had been thinking about it all night and came over today to see what was going on. “You’ve come just in time.” Lin Xiao wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked over to them with a smile, “Look at the surprise I prepared for you.” “Husband, you really know how to dye cloth?” Yan Ruoxi was still a little unconvinced. She looked around at the newly built site, “Just using these stone pools and wooden barrels?” “You’ll know when you see.” Lin Xiao smiled mysteriously and walked to a stove. He asked the craftsmen to light the stove, put a large iron pot on it, and pour in clean water. Then, he took out some blue mineral powder and several kinds of seemingly inconspicuous plant ashes from a package he brought with him, put them into the pot in a specific proportion, and stirred them constantly with a wooden stick. Soon, the water in the pot began to boil, and its color gradually turned into a deep blue, emitting a peculiar smell. “Is this… dye?” Liu Ruyan was a little surprised as she looked at the blue liquid bubbling in the pot. The dyeing process in the dyeing workshops she had seen was much more complicated than this, and the colors were not so pure. Lin Xiao nodded, and when the dye was almost boiled, he had someone carefully pour it into a stone pool. “Bring a piece of cloth.” Lin Xiao ordered. A woman quickly handed over a piece of plain silk that Yan Ruoxi had bought yesterday. Lin Xiao took the silk and immersed it completely in the blue dye pool, stirring it gently with a wooden stick to ensure that the silk absorbed the dye evenly. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the dye pool. After a moment, Lin Xiao picked up a corner of the silk with a wooden stick. “Crash—” The wet silk was lifted up, dripping with water droplets. When the silk was fully revealed in front of everyone, all the girls couldn’t help but exclaim! I saw that the originally white silk had now turned into an extremely pure and bright blue! The blue is like the sky after the rain, or like the deep and clear sea. It is evenly transparent without any impurities, and it has a soft luster in the sunlight. “Wow! What a beautiful blue!” Yan Ruoxi was the first to exclaim, her eyes widening. “It’s even better than the ‘sky blue’ sold in the silk shop!” “Yes! This color is so bright!” Aunt Wang was also amazed. “The blue dyed in the dyeing workshop before was either gray or black, not this pure!” Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan also looked at the brand new silk with amazement written all over their faces. This was the first time they had seen such pure and bright colors. Lin Xiao smiled. This was just the most basic indigo dyeing. By using the knowledge in his mind and controlling the temperature, concentration and mordant, the effect would naturally far exceed the traditional dyeing methods of this era. “Don’t worry, there’s more.” Lin Xiao signaled the craftsmen to take out the dyed blue silk, rinse it in a pool of clean water, and then hang it on the shed to dry. Then he instructed the craftsmen to change to new dyeing pots and start preparing other colors. This time, he used a red mineral powder and mixed it with several different plant juices. Soon, a pot of bright red dye was ready. Lin Xiao took another piece of plain cloth and dipped it in it. A moment later, when the bright red satin was scooped up, the girls cried out in surprise again. The red color is so bright and eye catching, like a burning flame or a beautiful rose. “Oh my god! This red! It looks so beautiful!” Yan Ruotong couldn’t help but get excited. Which woman doesn’t like bright colors? Then, like a magic trick, Lin Xiao used various minerals, plants, and even some seemingly ordinary soil, along with different mordants and boiling methods, to successively dye bright goose yellow, refreshing emerald green, noble purple, and warm orange… Rolls of colorful silk were dyed, rinsed, and hung on the racks to dry. The colors were so dazzling that it looked like a gorgeous rainbow had fallen into the field. The girls were completely stunned, chattering as they gathered around the cloths hanging out to dry, touching this one and looking at that, their faces flushed with excitement. They had never imagined that fabrics could come in such rich and vibrant colors! “Husband! You are so awesome! These colors are all so beautiful! I want the purple one!” Yan Ruoxi hugged Lin Xiao’s arm and acted coquettishly. “Brother Xiao, this green one looks good too. It will definitely be a handsome spring shirt!” Mrs. Lin was also jealous. Zhang Fuan stood aside, looking at the colorful scene in front of him, then looking at the excited women and his brother Xiao’s calm appearance. His heart was already in turmoil. Another new technology! And such a practical one! He could already imagine what kind of sensation these beautiful fabrics would cause once they were released! This not only makes everyone look better, but it is also a way to make money! “Fuan.” Lin Xiao’s voice interrupted Zhang Fuan’s thoughts. “Hey! Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan responded quickly. Lin Xiao pointed at the colorful cloths and said, “Master the dyeing technique. Next, we will also build a large dyeing factory to cooperate with the textile factory. We must dye our own cloth into the most beautiful colors so that the people in our territory can wear brightly colored clothes.” He paused, then added, “At the same time, these brightly colored cloths are also excellent commodities. Selling them outside will definitely bring in a large amount of silver and supplies. This is another considerable income.” “Yes! Brother Xiao! I understand!” Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with fanatical admiration for Lin Xiao. “Don’t worry! I will definitely build this dyeing factory! Let our Qinglin County cloth be sold all over the Great Zhou!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. Looking at the wet cloth on the shed, Lin Xiao thought for a moment and asked someone to bring out a few freshly dyed samples with particularly bright colors, such as the sky blue, bright red, and purple ones. He asked the craftsmen to roast it from a distance using a charcoal brazier to speed up the evaporation of moisture. “Let’s go and take a few pieces back so you can have a sneak peek.” Lin Xiao picked up a few pieces of dried, most colorful cloth and said to the girls with a smile. “Great!” The girls cheered and surrounded Lin Xiao, walking contentedly towards the county magistrate’s mansion. Along the way, they were excitedly discussing what color cloth they wanted to use to make what kind of clothes. Chapter 291 New Clothes When we returned to the county magistrate’s mansion, the backyard was immediately filled with excited chatter. “Husband, look at this sky blue silk. It will look great as a skirt!” Yan Ruoxi took the dried blue silk and tried it on herself, her eyes sparkling. “This purple color is also nice, it makes your skin look whiter.” Yan Ruotong picked up the noble purple material with a smile on her lips. Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Wang also gathered around the pieces of cloth, discussing whether to make a waistcoat or a jacket. Even the usually aloof Liu Ruyan and the gentle Pei Xueyi couldn’t help but reach out and gently touch the bright and smooth fabric, with fondness in their eyes. Seeing them so happy just around a few pieces of cloth, Lin Xiao felt very happy too. However, he did not intend to use these fine materials to make just ordinary clothes. “You like it, don’t you?” Lin Xiao smiled as he picked up the most eye catching piece of bright red silk. He also selected a piece of thin black gauze, as well as a few scraps of colorful cloth. “What’s the point of just looking at it? I’ll make you some better looking ‘new clothes’.” He found a needle, thread and scissors and started working on the stone table in the yard. He didn’t use a ruler, but just picked up the cloth and measured it on several girls. Then he picked up the scissors and with a few “clicks”, the cloth was cut into all kinds of strange shapes. Some are palm sized triangles, some are long and thin strips, and some shapes are even harder to describe. The girls all gathered around curiously, and at first they were very excited, wanting to see what tricks their husbands could perform. But as they watched, the expressions on their faces gradually changed. “Husband, what are you cutting? It’s so small, what kind of clothes can you make with it?” Yan Ruoxi couldn’t help but ask, picking up a piece of cut red silk and wondering, “This… can’t even be made into a bellyband, right?” Lin Xiao chuckled, picked up the needle and thread, and began to sew quickly. He had nimble fingers and could thread the needle. Although he didn’t have a sewing machine, simple stitching was not difficult for him. Soon, the prototype of the first “new clothes” came out. It was made of bright red satin, with only two palm sized pieces of cloth connected by several thin straps, and there was a hollow design in the middle. The yard suddenly became quiet. The girls widened their eyes and looked at the… thing in Lin Xiao’s hand, and their cheeks turned red. “Husband…what…what are you doing?” Yan Ruotong’s voice was a little stammering, and her ears were suspiciously flushed. This dress is too… too shameless! “New clothes.” Lin Xiao looked innocent, picked up the piece of black gauze again, and continued cutting and sewing. This time, what was made was an almost transparent black short coat, the edges of which were trimmed with small strips of colorful cloth. It was so light that it seemed as if it could float away with a breeze. Then came the purple one, which was made into several crisscrossing straps and a small piece of fabric; the sky blue one was made into a very short skirt… One piece of “new clothes” after another was made and placed on the stone table. Each piece uses minimal materials and has a bold design, which creates a strong impact on the dignified and conservative clothing style of this era. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi had already lowered their heads in shame, not daring to look again. Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Wang also blushed and their eyes flickered, but their hearts were beating like rabbits in their chests. “Okay, it’s all done.” Lin Xiao clapped his hands and looked at his “masterpiece” with satisfaction. “Go, put it on and show it to me.” “Ah?!” The girls exclaimed in unison. “Husband! This…how can I wear this outside?” Yan Ruoxi protested with a red face, but she did not move. “It’s right in the yard, what are you afraid of?” Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Go quickly. Whoever changes first, I… ahem, will get a reward.” When they heard the word “reward”, the girls’ expressions changed. They looked at each other, and finally, with blushing faces, they each picked up one and went back to their respective rooms shyly. A moment later, the door opened. The first one to come out was Yan Ruoxi, who chose the boldest new red satin dress. The bright red color makes her skin look whiter than snow, and the bold design perfectly outlines her figure that has become more charming after pregnancy. Although her face was red, there was a hint of provocation in her eyes. She walked in front of Lin Xiao and turned around. Lin Xiao whistled and gave a thumbs up. Next was Yan Ruotong, she chose the purple one. A few simple straps were wrapped around her body, her hands were holding her belly, and she exuded a divinity and a unique charm. Pei Xueyi walked out wearing that sky blue short skirt, so shy that she almost buried her head in her chest. Her fair neck was dyed pink, pure and adorable. Liu Ruyan put on the black gauze short jacket. Beneath the veil, her graceful figure was faintly visible, coupled with her cool temperament, she had an ultimate beauty that was a mixture of abstinence and charm, which made Lin Xiao’s eyes go straight. Finally, there are Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang. The styles they chose are relatively conservative, but they are enough to show their mature and plump charm, which is unique. Looking at the beautiful scenery before him, the plump and thin women, the spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with its own unique beauty, Lin Xiao felt his mouth dry and nodded with satisfaction: “Not bad, not bad! They are all beautiful!” He stepped forward and waved his hand: “Okay, it’s getting late, it’s time to get down to business!” As he said this, he slammed the gate shut. “ah!” “Husband!” There were screams and laughter of girls in the yard. Outside the door, the sisters Yan Jing and Yan Xiu, who happened to be passing by with snacks, heard the noise inside, looked at each other, their pretty faces turned red instantly, and they quickly lowered their heads and left. The next day, the sun was shining brightly. After a night of “fighting”, Lin Xiao felt refreshed. Most of the girls got up late and were lazily basking in the sun in the yard, enjoying their rare leisure time. The bellies of sisters Yan Ruoxi and Zhang Wanqing were already very obvious. They carefully stroked their abdomens, their faces filled with maternal glow. Everyone was chatting when Mrs. Lin suddenly turned pale, covered her mouth and retched a few times. “Sister in law, what’s wrong with you?” Yan Ruoxi, who was closest to her, asked with concern. Everyone looked over. Mrs. Lin waved her hands, her face pale: “It’s okay, I just feel a little nauseous…” Before he could finish his words, he started retching again. Lin Xiao’s heart moved, he walked over, took Mrs. Lin’s wrist and took her pulse. After a moment, a look of joy appeared on his face: “Sister in law, you are pregnant too!” “Ah?” Mrs. Lin was stunned, and then her face showed great surprise and disbelief. “Really…really?” “How could I lie to you?” Lin Xiao said with a smile. “Great! Sister in law!” “Congratulations, sister in law!” Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong and others immediately gathered around and congratulated them. Mrs. Lin was so excited that her eyes turned red. She nodded repeatedly, touching her belly, with an unconcealable happy smile on her face. Seeing another pregnant woman, Lin Xiao was also happy. Looking at the girls chattering in the yard, including a few who were already pregnant, Lin Xiao touched his chin. The children will be born soon, and when they grow up a little, this yard may not be big enough for them to make noise. You have to prepare a place for the children to play in advance. Well, let’s build a children’s playground first, with slides, swings, see saws and all that stuff! Chapter 292: Relatives Visit Lin Xiao got to work right away. In the afternoon, he called over a few skilled carpenters and stonemasons, and they started working in an open space near the garden in the backyard of the mansion. “Sir, what are you going to do?” An old carpenter looked at the sketch Lin Xiao drew on the mud ground, somewhat confused. The picture showed a tilted shelf, two pillars with crossbeams, and two long wooden boards, one high and one low, next to them. “Let’s make something for the children to play with.” Lin Xiao smiled, picked up the tools, and demonstrated personally, “This slope is made of smooth, polished wooden boards, with thick hay or sand underneath. The children can slide down from it.” He pointed to the two wooden frames and said, “Hang some strong hemp rope here, and tie some wooden boards to it to make a swing. You can swing back and forth.” As for the long wooden board, Lin Xiao explained, “It’s supported by a sturdy wooden stake or stone in the middle. People sit on either side and can play up and down. It’s called a seesaw.” The craftsmen were stunned when they heard this. They had never heard of these things before, but seeing that the adult explained it clearly and it sounded very interesting, they stopped asking questions and started working according to Lin Xiao’s instructions. For a while, the sounds of hammering and sawing were endless. Lin Xiao didn’t just talk, he personally took care of many key connecting parts to ensure that they were strong and safe enough. As the prototype of a simple children’s playground gradually emerged, Lin Xiao had a satisfied smile on his face. While they were busy, there was a commotion outside the mansion, and then the housekeeper came in to report that Mrs. Lin’s eldest brother and his family had arrived. Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed again. He put down his work and brushed off the sawdust on his hands. Soon, the chubby figure of Lin Dashan squeezed in first, followed by his wife Li Cuilian and Lin Saozi’s mother Wang Hongmei. The three of them had almost flattering smiles on their faces. As soon as they saw Lin Xiao, they immediately bent their waists, rubbed their hands, and walked quickly towards him. “Brother in law! You are busy!” Lin Dashan’s voice was full of enthusiasm, but his eyes were glancing around, looking at this spacious and magnificent mansion, especially the strange things being built in the backyard, he was even more curious. “Yeah.” Lin Xiao responded lightly, his eyes sweeping over the three of them. Compared to the last time we met, these three people seemed to have gained some weight and looked much better. It seemed that their lives had indeed improved. “Brother in law, we…we’re here to see my sister,” Li Cuilian said quickly, forcing a flattering smile. “I heard she…she’s pregnant, so we, as her family, came to see her.” Wang Hongmei nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes, come and see, I brought her some homemade eggs.” As he spoke, he raised a small basket in his hand, which indeed contained more than a dozen eggs. Lin Xiao looked at the sky and saw that it was almost time for dinner. “I know. You guys go in first. She’s resting in the house.” He didn’t say much, turned around and continued to check whether the newly made slide handrail was firm. Lin Dashan and the other two responded hurriedly as if they had been pardoned, carefully bypassing the construction area and heading towards the inner courtyard. After entering the inner courtyard and seeing Mrs. Lin, the three of them started to ask about her well being. Li Cuilian and Wang Hongmei surrounded Mrs. Lin, saying caring words, but their eyes kept looking at the furnishings in the house. When they saw the exquisite furniture and decorations, especially a small and exquisite glass vase placed by the window, their eyes lit up. Lin Dashan was saying some polite words on the side, such as “Sister, you are so lucky” and “Following the adults is the blessing I earned in my previous life”. When it was time for dinner, Lin Xiao finished his work and returned to the dining room. Lin Dashan and the other two were also invited to stay for dinner. There was a rich variety of dishes on the table, with chicken, duck, fish and meat filling the table. Lin Dashan and the other two had never seen such a scene before. They were so overwhelmed that they couldn’t even take in the sight and couldn’t move their chopsticks. Lin Xiao picked up some of Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong’s favorite dishes, and poured a bowl of soup for Zhang Wanqing and Sister Lin. Then he looked at Lin Dashan and asked casually, “Brother, sister in law, aunt, how have you been recently?” This question seemed to open Lin Dashan’s mouth. He immediately put down his chopsticks, straightened his back, and his face lit up: “Thanks to your great blessing, brother in law! Great! It’s great! This is a life I never dared to dream of before!” He took a sip of the rice wine on the table and continued, “You don’t know, but since your last order, Lord Song has assigned me a job at the refugee resettlement area outside the city. I’m responsible for registering and assigning miscellaneous tasks. I can eat my fill every day and receive money and food every month!” Li Cuilian also quickly joined in, with a look of boasting on her face: “That’s right! Now that our family is in the village, who wouldn’t look up to us? They all say that our family has a noble person, and it’s all thanks to you, my brother in law!” Wang Hongmei nodded her head like a chick pecking at rice. “Yes, yes! It’s a great blessing for our daughter to be able to follow you, Master! Now that you’re pregnant, this is a great joy for the Lin family! Our ancestors are so happy!” She remembered that she had originally wanted to marry her daughter to Wang Baoshan, the stupid son of the landlord Wang from the next village. She felt so embarrassed that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She could only flatter him even louder to cover up her embarrassment. Seeing this, Lin Dashan quickly changed the subject and expressed his loyalty to Lin Xiao: “Brother in law, don’t worry! I’m working very hard now! When those new refugees heard that they were coming to your territory, their eyes lit up! They all say that Qinglin County is now a paradise on earth, the land of living Bodhisattvas! Who wouldn’t remember your kindness? I told them that our Lord has the world in his heart, and everyone’s life will only get better and better in the future! After hearing this, they all worked even harder! He spitted and flattered Lin Xiao to the utmost, praising him as if he were a god. Li Cuilian and Wang Hongmei also kept echoing him and nodding in agreement. Lin Xiao just listened quietly, nodded occasionally, with no special expression on his face. As long as they behave themselves and don’t take advantage of his connections to cause trouble, there’s nothing wrong with giving them some benefits. During the meal, it was mostly just Lin Dashan and the other two talking, with Lin Xiao occasionally adding a few remarks. Yan Ruoxi and the others were not surprised and chatted quietly among themselves. After finishing their meal, the Lin Dashan family was content to leave. As they reached the door, Lin Xiao thought for a moment and told the servants, “Go to the storeroom and get some glassware for my brother and the others.” When Lin Dashan and the other two heard that it was made of glass, their eyes widened instantly and their breathing quickened! This is a treasure that is hard to come by in the market these days! And my brother in law just gave it to them! “Thank you…thank you brother in law for the reward! Thank you for your grace!” Lin Dashan’s voice was trembling with excitement. He took the glass cups with both hands, as if he was holding some priceless treasure, and carefully protected them in his arms. Li Cuilian and Wang Hongmei also bowed and thanked repeatedly, with unconcealable ecstasy on their faces. The three of them expressed their gratitude to Lin Xiao again. After thanking him profusely, they left the County Magistrate’s Mansion, looking back every few steps. Even far out of the gate, you can still hear Lin Dashan’s suppressed excited laughter. Chapter 293 Prelude to the Steam Age After seeing off Lin Dashan and his family, Lin Xiao returned to his room. After washing up, he was about to rest when there was a gentle knock on the door. “Who?” Lin Xiao was a little surprised. At this hour, several pregnant women had gone to bed early, and Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi should have returned to their rooms as well. A slightly hesitant and shy voice came from outside the door: “Brother Lin Xiao…it’s me.” It’s Aunt Wang. Lin Xiao stood up and opened the door, and was slightly stunned. Moonlight streamed in through the porch, illuminating the figure standing outside. Aunt Wang had obviously dressed up carefully. She usually wore simple cotton clothes, but now she had changed into a bold piece of clothing. Her upper body was a translucent black gauze blouse, through which the skin and the outline of the lining could be vaguely seen. Her lower body was a pair of black trousers that fit closely to the curve of her legs. The material seemed to be some kind of smooth silk, tightly wrapping her plump and round hips and legs, extending all the way to her ankles. The charm of a mature woman is displayed to the fullest, revealing a sexiness and temptation that is rarely seen in daily life. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were a little evasive, and her hands were nervously twisting the corners of her clothes. It was obvious that she had mustered up a lot of courage to come here dressed like this. “Brother Lin Xiao…” Aunt Wang lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s. “Can I…can I…talk to you?” Lin Xiao stepped aside to let her in, closed the door, and looked her over with a playful look: “Auntie is… very different today.” Aunt Wang felt even more embarrassed when he looked at her. Her face turned red and almost bled. Her body trembled slightly. “Brother Lin Xiao…don’t laugh at me…” She walked to the table, poured herself a glass of water, took a sip, and seemed to calm down a little. She turned around and looked at Lin Xiao, her eyes filled with a hint of resentment and expectation. She sighed softly, “Looking at Ruoxi and the others, and Sister Lin, they are all pregnant… I’m so happy for them.” After a pause, her tone softened, “It’s just…it’s just that my stomach hasn’t moved at all. I know I’m older than them, maybe…maybe I can’t have children anymore…” At the end of her speech, her eyes were slightly red, and she looked like she had accepted her fate and lost. Lin Xiao looked at her, about to cry, and walked forward. He gently lifted her chin and looked into her moist eyes: “Who said you can’t give birth? Auntie, you are in good health, you will definitely be able to do it.” Aunt Wang stared at him blankly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes: “Really…really?” “Of course it’s true.” Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a smile, his eyes becoming scorching, “I think we need to work harder!” Before he finished speaking, he exerted force with his arms and lifted Aunt Wang up horizontally. “Ah!” Aunt Wang let out a short cry and subconsciously hugged Lin Xiao’s neck. Lin Xiao held her in his arms and strode towards the bed, while his other hand unceremoniously reached for the seductive black gauze on her body. “Sizzle—” The sound of cloth tearing rang out in the quiet room, accompanied by Aunt Wang’s suppressed screams and rapid breathing. “Brother Lin Xiao! You…you slow down…” It was late at night and Aunt Wang was snuggled up to Lin Xiao, already fast asleep. There was a blush of satisfaction on her face, and the corners of her mouth were slightly raised, as if she had had a good dream. Lin Xiao lay on his side, looking at her peaceful sleeping face, feeling quite satisfied. At this moment, a familiar system prompt sounded in my mind. [Ding! Aunt Wang’s Favorability: 35+6!] Not bad, another 6 points up, bringing the total favorability to 41. It seems that tonight’s “hard work” and consolation have been effective. More importantly, we can have another lucky draw! Lin Xiao muttered to himself: “System, draw the lottery!” The familiar virtual roulette wheel appeared in my mind and began to spin rapidly, with various colors of light flashing. “stop!” The roulette wheel slowly stopped, and the pointer finally pointed to an area shining with metallic luster and steam patterns. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: A complete set of steam engine technology (from the early Newcomen steam engine to the mature Watt steam engine and subsequent improved models, complete set of design drawings, manufacturing processes, material requirements and application theory)!] In an instant, an unimaginable torrent of information flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind! Countless complex mechanical drawings, precise component structures, rigorous physical laws, thermodynamic principles, material smelting data, processing technology processes… From the most primitive and inefficient mine water pumps, to the improved Watt steam engine that can provide stable rotational power, to the mature steam power systems with higher pressure and more complex structures used in ships, trains, and factories… Everything was clearly imprinted in the depths of his memory, as if he had experienced it himself! Lin Xiao was completely stunned! Steam engine! This is actually a steam engine! It is the engine of the industrial revolution! It is a subversive force that can truly shake up the entire world! Countless images flashed through Lin Xiao’s mind: Black coal is fed into the boiler, where it burns fiercely, turning water into high pressure steam; The huge piston, driven by steam, drives the heavy flywheel to rotate tirelessly; In the textile mills, hundreds of machines roared under the power of steam, and cloth was produced like flowing water; Deep in the mine, steam pumps drain the accumulated water, greatly increasing mining depth and efficiency; On the river, steamships equipped with steam engines sailed upstream instead of relying on sails and manpower; On earth, wherever railroad tracks are laid, trains spewing white smoke shorten distances that once took months to just a few days… This is not just a technology, it is the clarion call of a new era! It means explosive growth in productivity and a complete change in transportation and warfare modes! In the feudal Zhou Dynasty, which still generally relied on human, animal and water power, once the steam engine was successfully manufactured and applied, what kind of earth shaking impact and changes would it bring? It took a long while for Lin Xiao to calm down from the huge shock and ecstasy. He carefully sorted out the detailed information about steam engines in his mind. After the excitement, he quickly calmed down. Although the steam engine is good, it is not easy to turn it from a drawing into reality. This thing has extremely high requirements for materials! Especially the boiler and cylinder, which need metals that can withstand high temperature and pressure. Although the steel currently smelted by the Qinglin County Steel Plant has far exceeded the average level of this era and is suitable for making cannons and flintlock rifles, it is probably far from enough to make key components for steam engines. Strength, toughness, heat resistance, airtightness… these are all huge challenges. Moreover, the manufacture of steam engines requires higher precision processing technology, more knowledgeable craftsmen, and a series of supporting parts and equipment. With the current technical level of the Qinglin County Steel Plant, although it can produce qualified gun barrel steel, there is probably still a big gap between it and the high standard steel required to manufacture steam engines. In particular, seals, bearings and other seemingly insignificant but crucial parts have even more stringent requirements on materials and processing accuracy. If we want to truly usher in the steam age, further breakthroughs in steel technology are an unavoidable hurdle. Tomorrow, I must go to the steel plant again to understand the current level of steel smelting and processing. Chapter 294 Changing the World early morning. Aunt Wang’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes, only to see Lin Xiao’s peaceful sleeping face. Her face flushed involuntarily. The madness and tenderness of last night, and Lin Xiao’s comforting words “I’m sure it will work”, made her originally quiet heart ripple again. She lay on her side, looking at Lin Xiao quietly, feeling that she could never look enough. This man gave her the stability and hope she had never had before. Unlike the initial gratitude and awe, more complex and passionate emotions surged in her heart at this moment. Feeling the movement of the people around him, Lin Xiao also opened his eyes. Meeting Aunt Wang’s loving gaze, he smiled and said, “Awake?” Aunt Wang hummed softly, her cheeks turning even redder. She suddenly turned over and gently sat astride Lin Xiao, supporting her body with her hands on his chest. “Brother Lin Xiao…” Her voice was a little hoarse from just waking up, and there was a bit of charm that she herself didn’t even realize, “I… I still want…” Lin Xiao was slightly stunned, then burst into laughter. He stretched out his hands to hold her plump waist, feeling the amazing elasticity, his eyes became hot: “Okay, auntie wants it, then work harder!” At noon, Lin Xiao, feeling refreshed, finally emerged from his comfortable home. After a quick breakfast, he headed straight to the steel mill. The blueprint of the steam engine has already taken shape in my mind, but a tall building starts from the ground, and basic materials are the key. He had to personally confirm whether the current level of steel was sufficient to support this epoch making creation. Zhang Fuan had already received the news and was waiting at the gate of the steel plant. Seeing Lin Xiao coming over, his honest face immediately filled with smiles, and he quickly walked up to him: “Brother Xiao, you’re here!” Today’s steel plant has expanded several times in size compared to when it was first built. There are tall chimneys standing in rows, spewing out black or white smoke, huge factory buildings stretching out in a row, the air is filled with the unique smell of burning coal and hot metal, the rumbling sounds of machines and the clanging sounds of hammering are intertwined, full of a feeling of power and vitality. “Come on, take me around.” Lin Xiao said. “Yeah! Great!” Zhang Fuan responded excitedly, walking ahead to lead the way, introducing as he walked: “Brother Xiao, look over here,” Zhang Fuan pointed to a mountain of piled up coal on his left. “This is the ore yard and the coal yard. As you said, the different ores are piled separately and labeled. The coal is also classified. Coking coal and washed coal are separated for easy access and mixing.” “That’s the coking area. We’ve improved our traditional coking methods by trial and error. The quality of the coke we produce has improved significantly, with higher calorific value and fewer impurities.” “The area ahead is our core, the blast furnace ironmaking area! We have six large blast furnaces producing molten iron day and night.” After passing the blast furnace area, there is a wider area with large and small forging tables and casting molds. The huge hydraulic forging hammer hit the red hot iron block again and again, making a deafening roar and sending sparks flying. The workers cooperated well, turning the iron blocks to ensure that the force was evenly distributed. “This is the forge and foundry. Now we can not only forge various farm tools and weapons, but also produce high precision items like artillery barrels and flintlock barrels stably. As for the small parts you mentioned earlier, such as bearings and gears, we have also tried to make quite a few. Although the scrap rate is still quite high, it is much better than at the beginning! ” Zhang Fuan spoke with pride, recounting the details like the back of his hand. This steel mill, the product of his countless efforts, was now the cornerstone of Qinglin County’s industry and the greatest source of his personal accomplishment. Lin Xiao walked and looked along the way, nodding constantly. The planning of the factory is indeed reasonable, and the various processes are smoothly connected. It can be seen that Zhang Fuan has put a lot of effort into management. Although the workers were busy, they were in good spirits and their operations were very skilled. “Well done.” Lin Xiao praised. Zhang Fuan was even more excited after receiving Lin Xiao’s affirmation. His smile stretched almost to his ears. “It’s all thanks to your guidance, sir! And the booklets compiled by sir Song and his team have taught the craftsmen a lot. Now when they encounter problems, they can figure it out and solve them on their own.” The two came to an area specially used for testing and demonstration. Here are some newly refined steel samples, some of which are polished to a shine, while others retain the original forging marks. “Sir, look at this!” Zhang Fuan picked up a thick steel plate and handed it to Lin Xiao, “This is the new steel we recently refined using the crucible method. We added some manganese and other materials and tested it many times. It has excellent toughness and is not easily broken even by a sledgehammer. It is also hard enough to be used as a gun barrel lining and key load bearing parts, and the effect is much better than before! ” He pointed to another, slightly darker ingot. “This one’s specifically designed for heat resistance. We’ve discovered that adding black gold and chromium ore to the molten steel makes the resulting steel much less susceptible to deformation and softening at high temperatures. While we can’t quite get the right ratio right now, we’re heading in the right direction.” Lin Xiao took the samples, looked at them carefully, and tapped them with his fingers to listen to the sound and feel the texture. The material requirements of a steam engine emerged one by one in my mind: the boiler needs to withstand high temperature and pressure, the cylinder needs to maintain its shape and airtightness at high temperatures, and the piston and connecting rod need to have sufficient strength and toughness… He compared Zhang Fuan’s introduction with the samples in his hand, and gradually had an idea in his mind. The current strength and toughness of crucible steel should be barely sufficient for manufacturing cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and other components. Although the heat resistant steel that was initially explored was not perfect, it was not completely unfeasible as a material for early steam engine boilers. The worst that could be done was to strengthen the structure and maintain it frequently. The efficiency of the first generation of steam engines was not high, and the material requirements were lower than those of later generations. With Qinglin County’s current level of steel production, coupled with subsequent targeted research and development and improvements, it is entirely possible to manufacture the Newcomen steam engine, or even Watt’s early improved steam engine! Thinking of this, a glimmer of excitement flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes. He put down the steel sample, looked at Zhang Fuan, and smiled: “Fuan, these steels are very good! Very good!” Zhang Fuan was stunned by Lin Xiao’s sudden praise, then smiled innocently: “Hehe, it’s mainly because your method is good.” “No, you did a really good job.” Lin Xiao patted his shoulder. “The quality of this steel is enough for us to make something… enough to change the world!” “Change the world?” Zhang Fuan’s eyes widened instantly and his breathing became faster. He thought of cannons and spinning machines. Every time adults talked about inventing something new, they ended up with earth shaking results. This time, they even used the words “change the world”! “Yes, it will change the world.” Lin Xiao nodded affirmatively. “This thing I’m going to make, once successful, will be far more powerful than artillery and spinning machines. It can make machines move on their own and replace the labor of thousands of people and animals! It will usher in a whole new era!” Zhang Fuan’s heart was filled with emotion and his face turned red with excitement. He had no idea what the scene would be like. “However, this thing is very complicated and requires extremely high technical skills.” Lin Xiao smiled, “You should immediately arrange it and call over the smartest and most skilled craftsmen under your command, as well as those students who have learned well! Let them put down what they are doing, follow me, learn from scratch, and build this groundbreaking machine together !” “Yes, sir!” Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously, his voice trembling with excitement. “I’ll arrange it right away! Get everyone here!” For Zhang Fuan, being able to participate in this “world changing” project that Lin Xiao mentioned is the greatest honor of his life! Chapter 295: The Beginning of a New Era In the afternoon, a lot of people had gathered in a spacious open space that had been specially cleared inside the steel plant. On one side were a dozen experienced old craftsmen with calm eyes, and on the other side were twenty or thirty young apprentices full of vitality and curious eyes. They were all top talents carefully selected by Zhang Fuan according to Lin Xiao’s requirements. Not long after, Song Qinghe also rushed over after hearing the news. His recent work has come to a temporary end. He heard that Lin Xiao was going to develop “something new”, and it was even bigger than the previous spinning machine. He even mobilized the most core group of people in the steel plant. Driven by curiosity, he came to take a look. “Sir.” Song Qinghe bowed. “Lord Song is here too, that’s great.” Lin Xiao smiled and gestured for him to feel free. Lin Xiao walked to the center of the open space, where a large wooden board painted black with charcoal had been erected, with several white lime strips placed next to it. “I called everyone here today to make something completely new.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly, instantly attracting everyone’s attention. “This thing is called a ‘steam engine’.” Steam engine? The craftsmen and apprentices looked at each other in bewilderment. This was a completely unfamiliar word. Song Qinghe also frowned, searching his mind for relevant records, but found nothing. Another new term made up by the adults. Lin Xiao picked up the lime stick and began to sketch on the black wooden board. He did not draw a complex structure at the beginning, but first drew a simple schematic diagram. “When you boil water, you’ve all seen the steam hitting the lid and making popping sounds, right?” Lin Xiao asked. Everyone nodded, this was common sense. “The force that lifts the lid is generated when water turns into steam. What we need to do is collect and utilize this force.” As Lin Xiao spoke, he drew a cylinder on the wooden board with a piston inside that could move up and down. “Imagine we direct steam into this ‘cylinder,'” Lin Xiao pointed at the cylinder. “The steam will push the ‘piston’ like a pot lid .” He continued drawing, showing the rods connected to the pistons, which in turn connected to a large wheel the flywheel. “Through these ‘connecting rods’, the up and down movement of the piston can be converted into the rotation of the wheel.” Lin Xiao drew arrows to illustrate the transfer and conversion of power. “As long as we keep boiling water and generating steam, this wheel will keep turning, providing a constant source of power!” The principle sounds easy to understand. It is to boil water and then use the water vapor to push things to rotate. However, looking at the increasingly complex structural drawings drawn by Lin Xiao boiler, valve, condensing device… the craftsmen began to feel dizzy. Looking at each component individually, they seem to understand what it does, but when they are combined together, how can a big lump of iron be made to move on its own and be so powerful? This is beyond their experience. The young apprentices’ eyes sparkled with curiosity and efforts to understand, but it was clear that they only had a limited understanding. Song Qinghe stood aside, frowning. He understood Lin Xiao’s metaphor of “steam pushing up the lid of a pot,” and roughly grasped the meaning of “cylinder” and “piston.” It seemed to be an ingenious machine that utilized the power of water and fire. But he couldn’t imagine how much power this thing could really generate, or where it could be used. He felt that his knowledge was becoming less and less sufficient in the face of Lin Xiao’s endless new things, and his mind was a little confused. “Okay, that’s the general principle.” Lin Xiao put down the lime bar and clapped his hands. “We’ll learn the specific details by doing.” He looked at everyone and began assigning tasks: “Old Wang, take a few experienced technicians with you to take charge of the boiler. Remember, this thing has to withstand high temperatures and high pressures, so material selection and sealing of the joints are key. Use our best crucible steel, and make sure the rivets are tight!” “Yes, sir!” An old craftsman with wrinkles on his face immediately responded. “Master Li, you’ll lead the team in charge of the cylinder and piston. This part requires the highest precision. The inner wall of the cylinder must be smooth, and the gap between the piston and the cylinder wall must be as small as possible to ensure no air leaks. Think about how we bore gun barrels and use the best craftsmanship!” “I understand, sir!” Another thin craftsman nodded. “Carpenter Zhang, take a few young people with you and take care of the transmission components like the connecting rods and flywheels. Pay attention to their strength and balance.” “Okay, sir!” A craftsman who was good at combining carpentry and metalwork accepted the order. Lin Xiao methodically disassembled the various components of the steam engine, assigned them to different groups, and designated responsible persons. Each team is not only led by experienced masters, but also has several smart and studious young apprentices to facilitate the inheritance and learning of skills. For a moment, the open space became lively. The groups gathered together, discussing, gesturing, and arguing in low voices about the drawings left by Lin Xiao. Zhang Fuan was like a general manager, running around, coordinating materials, and delivering Lin Xiao’s supplementary explanations. He was very busy and the excitement on his face did not diminish at all. He is full of energy to be able to participate in creating something that adults say “changes the world”! Lin Xiao watched as everyone started to get busy and nodded with satisfaction. He turned around and saw Song Qinghe still standing there, looking thoughtful and a little confused. “Sir Song, do you understand?” Lin Xiao walked over with a smile. Song Qinghe smiled bitterly and shook his head: “My Lord, please forgive my stupidity. This… steam engine sounds very clever, using the power of water and fire to drive the machine. But…what is its significance that warrants such attention from adults, even to the point of saying it can ‘change the world’?” He really couldn’t connect the clanking iron lumps in front of him with such a grand phrase as “changing the world”. He understood that spinning machines could improve weaving efficiency and cannons could enhance military strength, but what earth shattering things could this water powered machine do? Lin Xiao looked at Song Qinghe’s confused expression and was not surprised. For people of this era, the concept of a steam engine was indeed too advanced. He did not answer directly, but asked: “Sir Song, what are we most afraid of when we dig coal mines now?” Song Qinghe was stunned for a moment, then replied, “Of course it’s water seepage from the mine. Once too much water accumulates, human and animal power won’t be able to pump it out, and the mine will likely be flooded and abandoned. Countless miners have lost their lives as a result.” “That’s right.” Lin Xiao nodded. “What if we had a machine that worked tirelessly, day and night, pumping water out from deep within the mine, and its efficiency was hundreds or thousands of times greater than the current human powered waterwheel? What would that mean?” Song Qinghe’s eyes widened slightly: “It means… we can mine deeper veins, and coal production will increase greatly! And… it can save the lives of many miners!” “What about our textile factory?” Lin Xiao continued to guide, “Now the efficiency of a Fuan spinning machine is already very high. But what if there was a steam engine that could drive hundreds or even thousands of spinning machines and looms at the same time? Song Qinghe took a deep breath. He imagined the scene: in the huge factory, machines were roaring, countless spindles were spinning, and cloth was flowing off the production line like water… How terrifying would the output be! “Then… the daily output of cloth will be a hundred, a thousand times more than it is now! The speed at which we can clothe the world will be greatly accelerated!” Lin Xiao smiled, his gaze cast into the distance, his tone filled with longing: “There’s more to it than that. Lord Song, have you ever thought about this? If ships didn’t need sails or human paddling, but could rely on steam engines to sail upstream, traveling hundreds of miles a day, what would our water transportation become?” Song Qinghe’s heart began to pound. The Great Zhou had a well developed water system, but sailing upstream was extremely difficult and slow, greatly restricting the flow of goods. If this could really be achieved… “Think a little further,” Lin Xiao’s voice was filled with magic, “if we install a steam engine on a carriage and let it run on paved rails, we can cover the distance in one day that used to take a horse carriage ten days or half a month. Then, what level of advancement will our territory’s material allocation, information transmission, and military maneuvering reach?” Lin Xiao patiently persuaded him. Chapter 296 The Steam Engine is Introduced boom! Song Qinghe felt as if a thunder exploded in his head! The images Lin Xiao described unfolded in his mind like a scroll. Each scene represented a huge leap in productivity and a complete subversion of the existing order! He finally understood! This is more than just a machine! This is a new, endless power that can be controlled by humans! It will liberate people from heavy physical labor, it will shorten the distance of space, and it will create wealth at an unprecedented speed! This is not just some clever machine, it is clearly a lever that can move the entire era! “This…this…” Song Qinghe’s lips trembled with excitement, his face flushed red with blood. He looked at Lin Xiao, his eyes filled with incredible shock and fanatical anticipation, “Sir…if this thing is successful…it will truly be…it will truly be a great power that will create the world!” He finally understood what Lin Xiao meant by “changing the world.” These four words, applied to this thing called a “steam engine,” were no exaggeration! “Yes, the creation of the world.” Lin Xiao looked at the bustling scene in front of him, and his eyes flashed. It took a long time for Song Qinghe to calm down from his excitement. He remembered his other purpose for coming here, quickly gathered his thoughts, and began to report on recent government affairs: “Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to report to you on the progress of various affairs in the county.” He pulled out a booklet from his bosom and opened it, saying, “First, let’s look at our major industries. The glass factory is still making a fortune. Although we’ve controlled shipments and maintained high prices as per your instructions, merchants from all over are flocking to it. In the past two months, after deducting costs, the net profit has brought in nearly two million taels of silver.” This money has greatly enriched the county treasury, ensuring the expenditures for various construction and military equipment.” “As for the textile mill, the first batch of 500 ‘Fuan Spinning Machines’ have all been put into use, and the newly recruited women have been trained and are now proficient in their jobs. Today, the textile workshops operate day and night, producing an astonishing amount of cotton yarn and cloth, which has initially met the needs of the people in the county. A small amount has also begun to be exported, with an extremely good response. It is expected that with the subsequent increase in spinning machines and dyeing houses, the textile industry will become another major source of income for us after glass.” “As for the steel mill, as Brother Fuan just mentioned, both production and quality have been steadily improving. They not only meet the needs of weapons and farm implement production, but have even begun experimenting with smelting the various special steels you mentioned earlier, laying a solid foundation for future development.” Song Qinghe paused and added, “And cement. We have already used cement to build several main roads. They are smooth and solid, greatly improving transportation. Villages and towns are also using cement to reinforce dams, build canals and house foundations. People say this is divine soil with endless benefits. Cement factories are also currently expanding to meet the growing demand.” He closed the booklet, his face filled with genuine joy and admiration. “In short, my lord. Today, Qinglin County is thriving in all walks of life. The granaries are full, the treasury is overflowing, the people live in peace, and the army is strong and powerful. All of this is brought about by you, my lord! If it weren’t for your endless supply of miraculous methods, Qinglin County would never have achieved its current splendor!” Listening to Song Qinghe’s report, Lin Xiao nodded calmly. At present, the development momentum seems to be good and everything is on the right track. “Okay, I understand.” Lin Xiao said, “You and Uncle Dequan will take care of the government affairs. I will focus my main energy on this steam engine for the time being.” Song Qinghe bowed and said, “Don’t worry, my lord. We will do our best to help you with the affairs of the county. I will not bother you any more.” After saying this, he glanced again at the group of craftsmen who were discussing the drawings intensely, and turned and left with a heart full of shock and expectation. He had to go back quickly to pass on the good news, and also start thinking about what earth shaking impact the steam engine would have on the planning of the entire Qinglin County when it really came out in the future. In the following days, Lin Xiao almost lived and ate at the steel plant. He took off his usual comfortable brocade robe and put on a set of dirt resistant coarse cloth work clothes, spending the whole day with Zhang Fuan and a group of top craftsmen and apprentices. From the riveting of the boiler to the boring of the cylinder, from the polishing of the piston to the casting of the connecting rod, he personally supervised every link, patiently explained the principles and corrected mistakes. The knowledge in his mind was too advanced for that era. Many concepts and techniques needed to be broken down and explained using the simplest metaphors and the most direct demonstrations in order for the craftsmen to understand. Even so, failure is commonplace. During the boiler pressure test, there was air leakage at the riveted joints; the cylinder was not precise enough, causing the piston to get stuck; the condensing device was not working properly, resulting in severe steam loss… Every failure means loss of materials and waste of time. But Lin Xiao was not discouraged. Instead, he analyzed the reasons more patiently, adjusted the design, and improved the process. Zhang Fuan and his craftsmen were also working hard. Lin Xiao’s vision of “changing the world” burned like a fire in their hearts. Being able to personally participate in creating such a miracle makes all the hard work and sweat worth it. They worked day and night, experimented repeatedly, and their skills improved rapidly in the process. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others occasionally came to visit, and all they saw was Lin Xiao, covered in oil, concentrating on discussing the blueprints with the craftsmen. Sometimes, when the food was delivered, he would just eat a few mouthfuls in a hurry and then dive back into the clanging factory. At the mansion, the girls also knew that Lin Xiao was busy with a very important matter. Although they missed him, they were sensible enough not to disturb him too much. They just asked the kitchen to prepare meals carefully every day and asked Zhang Fuan to bring them over. Time passes quietly in this tense and fulfilling busyness. In the blink of an eye, more than a month has passed. On this day, the atmosphere in the open space specially opened up at the steel plant was particularly solemn. All the craftsmen and apprentices involved in steam engine manufacturing gathered here, with excitement and nervousness that were difficult to conceal on their faces. Zhang Fuan stood at the front, rubbing his hands with bright eyes. In the center of the clearing stood a gigantic creature. It is made entirely of steel, shining with the unique cold luster of metal. A huge cylindrical boiler made of riveted thick steel plates occupies the main body. Below the boiler is the combustion chamber, and a mountain of coal is piled next to it . Above the boiler, there is a thick pipe connected to a huge upright cylinder that is polished to an extremely smooth surface. Inside the cylinder, a thick piston is faintly visible. Through a complex connecting rod mechanism, the piston is connected to a heavy flywheel with a diameter of nearly two meters. Various valves and pipes crisscross each other, and the structure is complex and precise, full of the unique sense of power and rugged beauty of the industrial age. This is the result of more than a month of hard work, countless sweat and wisdom the first steam engine in Qinglin County! Lin Xiao stood beside the steam engine, carefully doing his final inspection. His face was a little tired, but his eyes were unusually bright. After checking the last valve, he stood up, glanced at everyone’s nervous and expectant faces, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice, “Prepare the fire and add water!” Finally, it’s time to test! Chapter 297 Success Following Lin Xiao’s order, several workers who had been prepared immediately stepped forward, stuffed dry firewood and fire starters into the combustion chamber under the boiler, and ignited the flame. Soon, blazing flames were licking the bottom of the boiler, and then large pieces of coal were continuously thrown in, and the fire became more and more intense. The water in the boiler began to heat up, making a gurgling sound. The craftsmen stared nervously at a simple pressure gauge connected to the boiler it was made by Lin Xiao using copper tubes and mercury. Although it was rough, it could roughly reflect the internal pressure. Time passed by little by little, and the air seemed to freeze. At this moment, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Zhang Wanqing and other girls also arrived. When they learned that something Lin Xiao had been busy with was finished, driven by curiosity, they came together to see what Lin Xiao was busy with. Also coming along were core management personnel such as Li Dequan who had received the news. Suddenly, a slight “hiss” sound came from a valve above the boiler, and a wisp of white steam came out. “It’s angry! It’s angry!” A young apprentice couldn’t help but cry out, but was then glared at by the old master next to him, and quickly covered his mouth. Lin Xiao signaled the coal adding workers to slow down, and at the same time he walked to the steam engine himself and began to carefully operate several control valves. “Shh—shh—” More steam escaped from the pipe joints, carrying with it a scorching breath. The mercury column on the pressure gauge slowly rose. When the pressure reached the preset value, Lin Xiao took a deep breath and suddenly turned a key valve! “Bang!” A dull metallic collision sound was heard. I saw the thick piston in the huge cylinder suddenly rushing upwards! Then, the huge connecting rod connected to the piston was driven, pushing the heavy flywheel with a diameter of nearly two meters, and it turned a tiny grid with difficulty! Everyone’s heart was in their throat! Lin Xiao quickly adjusted the valve. “Bang!” The piston moves downward. “Bang!” The Pistons are on the rise again! The connecting rod drives the flywheel, little by little, overcoming the huge inertia and friction, and begins to rotate! “It’s moving! It’s moving!” I don’t know who shouted first. “Clang… huff… clang… huff…” The steam engine made a rhythmic, heavy and rough sound, and the piston moved up and down steadily, driving the flywheel to rotate faster and faster. Although the speed was not too high, it was already rotating steadily and continuously! Success! “oh !” After a brief silence, thunderous cheers broke out from the crowd! The young apprentices were so excited that they jumped up and down, watching the huge thing that they had personally helped to build actually “come alive”. The sense of accomplishment was unparalleled! Zhang Fuan’s face flushed with excitement, and he kept muttering, “It worked! Brother Xiao! It really worked!” “What…what a great strength!” Liu Ruyan murmured as she watched the heavy flywheel being driven to rotate and felt the slight vibration coming from the ground. Pei Xueyi didn’t say anything, but just looked quietly at Lin Xiao, who was standing next to the machine with a relieved smile on his face and oil stains on his body. There was a strange light in the depths of his eyes. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the steel behemoth, and even their breathing became lighter. In order to demonstrate the power of the steam engine more intuitively, Lin Xiao asked someone to put a strong belt that had been prepared long ago onto the flywheel, and the other end of the belt was connected to a simple turntable not far away. As the flywheel rotated, the belt was driven, and the large wooden turntable with a diameter of more than ten feet also began to rotate slowly! “It’s spinning! It really can make things spin!” “If this were used to drive a waterwheel to pump water, how much manpower would be saved!” “If the mill uses this, how much flour can it grind in a day?” When the students saw that the steam engine could actually output power and drive the turntable, they were so excited that they danced with joy and looked at Lin Xiao with admiration. The principles of “investigating things and seeking knowledge” that the teacher taught were vividly demonstrated before my eyes today! However, amidst the excitement and exclamations, Li Dequan frowned, walked over to Lin Xiao, and whispered, “Brother Lin Xiao, this… steam engine is indeed magical and powerful. But… it doesn’t seem to be as… powerful as you said before, right? It can only turn a turntable like this?” He didn’t doubt Lin Xiao, but he felt that although the machine in front of him was novel, it didn’t seem to be able to “change the world” enough. It was noisy, smoked constantly, and looked very bulky. Lin Xiao smiled upon hearing this, unsurprised. He patted Li Dequan on the shoulder and said, “Uncle Dequan, this is just the first step. Just like when we first made our first cannon, its power was limited. But this steam engine proves the principle is feasible, and we’ve mastered the core technology.” He pointed at the machine, which was still running steadily. “This is just the most primitive model. It’s inefficient and has many problems. But I already have plans for subsequent improvements in mind. A more powerful boiler, a more sophisticated cylinder, a more efficient transmission… Step by step, its power will grow, and its uses will become more and more extensive.” Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan: “Fuan, the next task is to lead everyone to continuously improve it according to the new drawings I gave you! Improve efficiency, reduce size, and make it more reliable and more powerful!” Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously, his eyes firm: “Yes! Sir! I promise to complete the task!” Looking at the renewed expectations and fighting spirit in everyone’s eyes, Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. He had personally opened the door to the steam age a crack. After being busy for more than a month, Lin Xiao finally achieved some results and was ready to go home and have a good rest. After explaining some key points of subsequent improvements to Zhang Fuan, he left the steel plant amid the admiring and grateful gazes of the crowd. Return to the mansion. The hot water was already ready. Lin Xiao took off his clothes, lay comfortably in the hot water, and breathed a long sigh of relief. The high intensity mental and physical labor these days was indeed a bit tiring. Just as Lin Xiao closed his eyes to rest, the bathroom door was gently pushed open. Lin Xiao opened his eyes and saw Aunt Wang walk in with a wooden basin containing a clean towel and soap. She had a gentle smile on her face, and she exuded the charm of a mature woman. “Brother Lin Xiao, you’re back. Are you tired? Let me rub your back.” Aunt Wang said as she walked naturally to the wooden barrel, put down the basin, and picked up a soft towel. Lin Xiao smiled and didn’t refuse. He turned around, revealing his broad back. A warm towel was placed on the back, and Aunt Wang’s hands began to rub gently. “Brother Lin Xiao, you haven’t come back these days, I… I miss you.” Aunt Wang rubbed her hair and whispered in a tone with a hint of resentment and coquettishness. “Oh? What do you think?” Lin Xiao asked casually with his eyes closed, enjoying the service. “I just want to…” Aunt Wang’s voice lowered, a bit shy, “You said last time…you said you would try harder…but you weren’t here…” Lin Xiao’s heart moved, and feeling the soft touch and warm breath on his back, his body couldn’t help but react. Aunt Wang seemed to have noticed it as well. She paused her hand movements and her cheeks turned even redder. She leaned over, leaned close to Lin Xiao’s ear, and exhaled sweetly: “Brother Lin Xiao…you have been busy for so long, you have to compensate me well…” As she spoke, the towel in her hand slipped into the water, and she slowly squatted down along the edge of the barrel. The water was rippling, and Lin Xiao felt a warm current rising from his lower abdomen, and he couldn’t help but gasp. As the night deepened, the only sound in the room was the sound of even breathing. Lin Xiao was lying on the bed, but he was extremely clear headed. At this moment, a familiar prompt sounded in my mind. [Ding! Aunt Wang’s Favorability: 41+4!] Chapter 298: Court Turbulence The capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the imperial palace, and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The court meeting in the early morning was solemn and dignified, with civil and military officials standing on both sides. Emperor Li Yan sat on the dragon throne, absentmindedly playing with a glass paperweight he had just received. The sunlight filtered through the paperweight, reflecting a strange glow. The more he looked at this thing, the more he liked it. However, Lin Xiao was too abominable. He refused to give it to him for free and had to pay a huge price for it. At this time, an official responsible for collecting intelligence on Qinglin County stepped out tremblingly, holding a secret report in his hand. “Your Majesty, I have the latest intelligence from Qinglin County to report.” Li Yan raised his eyelids lazily: “Speak.” The official swallowed and said loudly, “According to spies, the traitor Lin Xiao spent a lot of manpower and resources to build a device called a ‘steam engine’ in the steel mill in his territory a month ago.” “Steam engine?” Li Yan frowned. The name sounded strange. Many ministers in the hall also looked puzzled. The official continued, “It is reported that this thing is made of steel and has a complex structure. It needs to be fired with coal to boil the water in the boiler to generate…steam to drive the mechanism. On the day of the test, there was a loud noise and billowing black smoke, but the force was so great that it could drive a wooden wheel over ten feet in diameter to rotate rapidly without the need for human or animal power. Hearing this, a low murmur of discussion was heard in the hall. “Boiling water can drive a wheel that big? I’ve never heard of that!” “Isn’t this another trick?” “Lin Xiao is full of tricks and should not be trusted.” The official added, “More importantly, it’s rumored that Lin Xiao values this item very much, claiming that its power is enough to ‘create the world’ and ‘change the world’…” “Puff!” A general couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Creating the world? Changing the world? Relying on a lump of iron used to boil water? This is absolutely ridiculous!” “Hahahaha…” A burst of laughter suddenly rang out in the hall. Many civil officials also shook their heads and laughed. “Lin Xiao, this guy, is probably just making some newfangled gadgets and has lost his mind.” “It’s just a trick to attract attention!” “Yes, it must be a smokescreen to boost their reputation and attract refugees!” Li Yan curled his lips, his face filled with disdain. “Lin Xiao is getting better and better at boasting. He can just make a water boiling gadget, and yet he dares to claim he can change the world? He’s such a clueless peasant!” He recalled how Lin Xiao had refused to give him the glass and even offered it at a high price, which made him even more unhappy. “In my opinion, this steam engine is definitely a piece of junk that’s noisy and useless! It might fall apart in a few days!” The ministers echoed: “Your Majesty is wise!” “This thing must be just a facade!” However, amidst the doubts and ridicule, Prime Minister Zhou Mubai, who had remained silent until then, slowly stepped out. “Your Majesty, colleagues, please be patient.” Everyone’s eyes were focused on this old minister. Zhou Mubai bowed and said, “Your Majesty, although Lin Xiao came from a humble background and behaved eccentrically, his actions were often shocking. From the first cannons to the later glass, each was a novelty and proved to be incredibly useful.” He paused, his tone becoming more serious. “This ‘steam engine’ may sound incredible, but I, an old minister, believe it shouldn’t be underestimated. Lin Xiao is no fool. He values this thing so highly, and his words about ‘changing the world’ are probably not entirely groundless.” One minister retorted, “Prime Minister Zhou, Lin Xiao is just a young boy who has acquired some rare skills. How can he change the world? You think too highly of him!” Zhou Mubai shook his head. “It’s not that I’m overestimating you, but I’m being cautious. Even a lion will use all its might to fight a rabbit. Our Great Zhou may seem stable now, but in reality, there are undercurrents.” “The barbarians in the north are eyeing us covetously, and refugees are everywhere. Qinglin County has been able to develop to this point in such a short period of time, and its methods must be carefully considered.” He turned to Li Yan and said earnestly, “Your Majesty, I believe that no matter whether this ‘steam engine’ is real or fake, strong or weak, we must find out the truth. If it’s just bluffing, then we don’t need to pay attention to it. But if it really has the power it claims, even if it’s only one tenth or one twelfth of what it claims, and if it gets hold of it, and our court is completely unaware of it, the consequences will be disastrous!” “I implore Your Majesty to send a capable spy, or perhaps under the guise of a merchant, deep into Qinglin County to investigate the true nature of this ‘steam engine’. If possible, obtain its blueprints and learn its craftsmanship. Only by knowing both ourselves and the enemy can we win every battle!” “The Prime Minister is overly worried,” a military official retorted. “Even if that thing does have some power, so what? It’s just some heavy, bulky iron lumps. Can it really be used in battle to kill the enemy?” Zhou Mubai shook his head. “Not really. If this thing can really replace human labor and be used for production and transportation, the changes it brings will be subversive. Imagine if the workshop’s production efficiency increased tenfold or a hundredfold, if ships could travel a thousand miles a day without sails… Over time, how powerful would Qinglin County be? He looked at Li Yan sitting on the dragon throne and said earnestly, “Your Majesty, we must be on guard against this beast Lin Xiao! This old minister implores Your Majesty to immediately dispatch a capable spy to thoroughly investigate the details of that ‘steam engine’ and, if possible, to obtain its blueprints and technology. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you fight a hundred battles without danger. Even if you can’t use them to your advantage, you must know their strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to respond!” Zhou Mubai’s words caused the hall to fall silent again. Some officials who had originally disapproved of the situation began to ponder. Lin Xiao’s previous “miracles” did force them to re examine this opponent. Li Yan was a little annoyed by what Zhou Mubai said, but he knew that Zhou Mubai was truly thinking about the Great Zhou. Moreover, the technology for obtaining blueprints mentioned by Zhou Mubai actually piqued his interest a little, just like his interest in novel woodworking tools. He pondered for a moment, glanced at Zhou Mubai, and finally waved his hand reluctantly: “Forget it, let’s do as Prime Minister Zhou said. “I’ll leave this matter to you. Be very careful and don’t alert the enemy. I want to see what tricks he can come up with with that iron lump he uses to boil water!” “Your Majesty, I obey your command!” Zhou Mubai bowed and accepted the order. Qinglin County, Lin Xiao’s residence. Lin Xiao had a rare moment of free time and was sitting on a stone bench in the yard. Yan Ruoxi was holding his arm and pouting slightly. “Husband~” She drew out her tone, with a hint of coquettishness. Lin Xiao looked at her cute appearance and smiled: “What’s wrong?” “Hmph!” Yan Ruoxi snorted, “It’s been a long time since you’ve accompanied us to go out and play!” Lin Xiao laughed and reached out to pinch her smooth face. “Okay, okay, it’s my fault. I’ve been really busy these days and neglected you guys. Tell me, where do you want to go?” Yan Ruoxi’s eyes lit up, and she immediately became excited: “Really? Then let’s go shopping in the county town! I heard that a new pastry shop has recently opened in the city, and there are merchants from the Western Regions displaying a lot of novelties! We haven’t been there together for a long time!” “Okay, let’s go shopping.” Lin Xiao agreed readily. “Great!” Yan Ruoxi cheered, “I’ll go call my sisters! Sister Xueyi and Sister Ruyan will definitely want to go too!” Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan, having received the news, soon came over, their faces filled with joy. Yan Ruotong, Zhang Wanqing, and Sister Lin, hearing about the outing, also became interested and expressed a desire to join them for some fresh air. Lin Xiao naturally would not refuse, and asked them to take care of themselves and walk slowly. So, after a little preparation, the group marched out of the mansion in a mighty procession. Around them, dozens of capable guards dressed in ordinary people’s clothes were spread out quietly, watching the surroundings vigilantly to ensure the absolute safety of Lin Xiao and his party. Chapter 299 New Ideas The county seat of Qinglin County is no longer what it used to be. The wide and smooth cement main road is large enough to accommodate four or five carriages running side by side. The houses and shops on both sides of the street are also paved with solid cement. The weather is fine today, and the streets are crowded with people. The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and children playing are endless, blending into a vibrant bustle. Lin Xiao, accompanied by a group of girls, strolled among the crowd, protected by guards who were neither too close nor too far away. Unlike the occasional appearance before, this time, Lin Xiao clearly felt a deeper change. Most of the pedestrians on the street, whether they are local residents or businessmen, have a steady and satisfied smile on their faces. The clothes are also very different. Although the common gray and patched coarse cloth clothes are still there, there are more new and decent clothes. Even the dresses of many women and girls are dyed with bright colors sky blue, tender green, peach pink, bright yellow… The colorful clothes make the whole street lively. These are the most obvious changes brought about by the rise of textile mills and dyeing houses in the territory. When food and clothing are no longer a problem, people will naturally pursue a better quality of life. “Wow! Look, my husband! Sugar figures! I want the one with Sun Wukong!” Yan Ruoxi was sharp eyed and immediately spotted a small stall selling sugar figures on the street. She excitedly pulled Lin Xiao’s sleeve and pointed at a sugar figure in the shape of a golden cudgel. The stall owner is an elderly man with superb skills. In a blink of an eye, he can blow, pull and mold a piece of melted syrup into a vivid image of Sun Wukong. Lin Xiao smiled and took out a copper coin: “Boss, this, and the rabbit and butterfly over there, give us one each.” “Okay!” The old man was quick and nimble, and quickly handed over several beautiful sugar figures. Yan Ruoxi happily took the Monkey King candy man, licked it, and her eyes narrowed into crescents. The group walked and looked around. Yan Ruoxi was like a happy little bird, chirping and finding everything she saw new and interesting. “Look, my dear, that shop sells so many beautiful fabrics!” “Wow, those snacks over there look delicious!” Lin Xiao looked in the direction they pointed and felt quite satisfied. The various cloths hanging in the cloth shop are not only rich in color, but the quality of the cotton yarn spun by the new spinning machines has also improved, and the texture of the cloth has also become much finer. The dim sum shops are packed with people and the tempting aroma wafts through the air, proving that people are well off and willing to spend money on food. In the blacksmith shop, there are not only new farm tools, but also some tool parts with more sophisticated structures, which are obviously the benefits brought by the technological improvement of the steel plant. Behind this is the effective management of Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others. Before they knew it, everyone had some odds and ends in their hands, including food, things to use, and toys. After they had finished shopping, Lin Xiao saw that the pregnant women were a little tired, so he suggested going back. After returning to the mansion and putting down the things they bought, the girls gathered together excitedly, chattering and sharing their gains of the day. Lin Xiao picked up a piece of indigo cloth he had just bought. It was smooth to the touch and the color was even and rich. It was indeed a lot better than the first batch he made when he just set up the dyeing workshop. “Fuan, this kid, is really dedicated,” Lin Xiao thought to himself. Whether it was spinning machines or dyeing techniques, Zhang Fuan and his craftsmen were constantly exploring and improving them, striving to achieve the best. The texture of the fabric reminded Lin Xiao of the time when he, Liu Ruyan, and Pei Xueyi rode on a furry ball, overlooking the territory from the sky. That perspective was truly stunning. If only there were a way to lift people into the air and freely observe the earth without relying on a ball of hair… A thought flashed through Lin Xiao’s mind like lightning. Hot air balloon! Using the principle that hot air is lighter than cold air, a huge, airtight sphere is created. The air inside the sphere is heated with flames from below, which can generate enough buoyancy to lift the basket and people into the air! This thing is so useful! On a smaller scale, you can take the girls to visit mountains and rivers from the air and enjoy the scenery, which is definitely an unprecedented experience. To put it in a broader sense, its military value is immeasurable! A hot air balloon rising to a high altitude is like a mobile watchtower, which can easily detect the enemy situation dozens of miles away. The enemy’s deployment, mobilization, food and supplies will all be exposed. In this age without radar and satellites, mastering air superiority is like having an extra pair of “clairvoyant eyes,” giving you an absolute information advantage on the battlefield ! You can even consider dropping something from above… Thinking of this, Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. “Husband, what are you thinking about? So absent minded?” Yan Ruoxi noticed Lin Xiao holding the cloth in a daze, and came over curiously and asked. “I was thinking of making something fun and taking you to play in the sky.” Lin Xiao put down the cloth and said with a smile. “Go play in the sky?” The girls were stunned for a moment, and then they thought of their last experience riding on a furry ball. Liu Ruyan asked curiously, “Husband, are you going to let Maoqiu take us flying again?” “No.” Lin Xiao shook his head and smiled mysteriously, “We won’t need a fur ball this time. We’ll make a big ‘ball’ ourselves, light a fire underneath, and let the heat prop it up so it floats into the sky like a cloud. Then, we’ll sit in the basket underneath and go wherever we want to look.” “Without a fur ball… you can fly on your own?” Yan Ruoxi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Floating like a cloud? Isn’t that something only gods can do?” Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan were also filled with wonder and yearning. Something they had made could actually fly into the sky like a bird? This was beyond their imagination. “That’s about right.” Lin Xiao explained with a smile, “The principle is actually not complicated. You’ll understand once we make it. When the time comes, we can sit in the basket and look down from the sky. We can see the entire Qinglin County and even places further away clearly.” “Wow! That’s so fun!” Yan Ruoxi had already begun to imagine the scene excitedly, “I must do it! Husband, when do we start?” Looking at the girls’ expectant eyes, Lin Xiao smiled and said, “Don’t worry. This thing requires some special materials and needs to be carefully designed. Once I draw the blueprints, I’ll let Fu An and the others start preparing.” Chapter 300: Sky Lanterns Descend Early the next morning, Lin Xiao called Zhang Fuan again. “Fu’an, call our best tailor, bamboo craftsman, and blacksmith, and follow me to the open space outside the city. There is new work.” Lin Xiao was full of energy. When Zhang Fuan heard that Lin Xiao had something new to make, his eyes lit up immediately and he quickly agreed: “Okay! Brother Xiao, I’ll arrange it right away!” When everyone gathered, they were all confused by the huge piles of brand new, thin yet extremely tough silk, bundles of hemp ropes and huge bamboo strips that Lin Xiao had people bring in. “Brother Xiao, what are you doing…” Zhang Fuan looked at the situation with some curiosity. This didn’t look like they were making weapons, nor did it look like they were building a house. Lin Xiao smiled, picked up a blueprint that had been drawn long ago, and spread it out in front of everyone. The drawing shows a huge spherical object with a basket hanging from it, and various dimensions and structural details are marked next to it. “Today, let’s make something new.” Lin Xiao pointed at the blueprint, “A big thing that can carry people into the sky.” Fly into the sky? The tailors and bamboo craftsmen looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion and disbelief. Zhang Fuan already had an almost blind trust in Lin Xiao, and immediately asked, “Brother Xiao, we will do as you command!” Lin Xiao nodded and began assigning tasks. “Master tailors, your task is the most important. According to the dimensions on the blueprint, cut and sew this silk into a giant balloon. Remember, the seams must be tight and strong, and as airtight as possible. I will teach you a special needle technique and coating to reinforce and seal it.” He then looked at the bamboo craftsmen and said, “You are responsible for using these bamboo strips to weave a large basket that is strong enough to carry three or five people, and also the frame structure to fix the basket.” Finally, the rope maker said: “You need to use the best hemp rope to weave a strong net to cover the ball sac and connect the ball sac to the basket below.” Lin Xiao explained in detail the key manufacturing points of each component, especially the suture and sealing of the balloon, as well as the design of the load bearing structure. He brought not only concepts but also mature experience that has been verified countless times in later generations. Although the principle sounds like a fairy tale, Lin Xiao’s explanation is clear and well organized, and every detail is explained clearly. The craftsmen did not dare to delay and took orders one after another and began to work according to the drawings and Lin Xiao’s instructions. In the next few days, this open space became the most eye catching place in the entire Qinglin County. Dozens of top tailors worked day and night, carefully cutting and sewing the expensive silks. Lin Xiao personally prepared a special coating made from a mixture of tung oil and several other materials, and instructed them to apply it to the seams and the surface of the silk to enhance airtightness. The unique scent of tung oil filled the air. The bamboo craftsmen used tough bamboo strips to weave a huge round hanging basket with a diameter of nearly ten feet and high guardrails. The structure is extremely sturdy. Rope makers also meticulously weave huge rope nets. Zhang Fuan brought several blacksmiths and built a relatively simple combustion device according to Lin Xiao’s drawings a “stove” made of iron pipes and copper sheets that can continuously spray fierce flames. The fuel is the plant essential oil that Lin Xiao had people refine, which burns more completely and has higher heat. The entire production process was full of novelties and challenges. While marveling at the ingenuity of the design, the craftsmen worked very carefully, fearing they would damage the expensive materials. Finally, after consuming a lot of manpower and material resources and after nearly ten days of intense work, an unprecedented behemoth was finally assembled on this open space. A huge balloon made of colorful silk, several meters high, lay limply on the ground like a giant lantern that had not yet been inflated. The balloon was covered with a sturdy rope net, the other end of which was firmly tied to the huge bamboo hanging basket. In the center of the hanging basket, a peculiarly shaped metal burner is fixed. It was a sunny day with a gentle breeze, a perfect day for the experiment. Lin Xiao ordered the bottom of the balloon to be stretched, and several guards worked together to straighten the huge balloon. Then, Lin Xiao personally ignited the burner in the center of the hanging basket. “call ” A specially designed nozzle suddenly blasted out a stream of scorching flames, making a loud noise. A stream of hot air continuously poured into the balloon. The guards who were responsible for holding the ropes felt the soft silk beneath their feet begin to sway slightly. All the onlookers, including Li Dequan, Song Qinghe and others who rushed over after hearing the news, held their breath and watched the incredible scene before them nervously. As the hot air continued to fill the balloon, the huge balloon began to slowly expand and bulge like air. The multicolored silk shimmered with a strange luster in the sunlight. The giant object, originally limp on the ground, gradually “stood up” and gradually regained the plump spherical shape shown in the drawing. A powerful upward pull was transmitted to the hanging basket through the rope net. The guards responsible for holding the hanging basket felt their feet getting lighter and lighter, and they had to use all their strength to keep it steady. “It’s okay!” Lin Xiao observed the condition of the balloon, estimated the buoyancy, and nodded to Zhang Fuan and the two brave guards. Without hesitation, the four of them turned over and jumped into the huge hanging basket. “Let go!” Lin Xiao ordered. The guards who were holding down the hanging basket released their hands at the same time. Under everyone’s shocked gaze, the huge, colorful “sky lantern”, carrying four people in the hanging basket, rose steadily and slowly from the ground! “Fly…fly!” “Oh my God! It’s really flying!” There was a burst of exclamations on the ground! Many people rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they saw. The hot air balloon rose higher and higher, not fast, but remarkably steady. Lin Xiao, in the basket, looked down and saw the people and houses on the ground rapidly shrinking, like models on a sand table. Broad, straight cement roads crisscross like gray ribbons. Neatly planned markets, farmlands, scattered villages, and cement and steel mills belching white smoke… The prosperous scene of the entire Qinglin County City can be seen from an unprecedented perspective. “Brother Xiao… this… this is simply a magical trick!” In the hanging basket, Zhang Fuan’s voice was shaking with excitement. He held on to the edge of the basket tightly, overlooking the magnificent scene below, shocked beyond words. At this time, the ground was already in chaos. The sudden rise of such a huge, unprecedented, colorful “sky lantern” into the sky was a huge shock to the people of that era. At first there was fear and panic. “What is that?” “Is it a monster?” “A miracle has descended from the sky! Get down on your knees!” Countless people were so frightened that they fell to their knees, kowtowed towards the sky, and muttered something. Soon, the news spread it was a new gadget created by the county magistrate, Lord Lin, that could carry people into the sky! After learning the truth, the people’s fear instantly turned into even more fanatical worship and awe! “It’s Master Lin! It’s Master Lin who has shown his divine power!” “I said Lord Lin is a god descended from heaven!” “To create something that can fly, only a god can do it!” For a moment, countless people in the entire county town and even the surrounding villages spontaneously knelt down towards the place where the hot air balloon rose, their eyes full of piety. Chapter 301 Another Happy Event Lin Xiao circled in the air for a while, getting familiar with the controls and feeling the wind high above. He felt a surge of satisfaction. The hot air balloon was a success! Then he controlled the size of the burner flame, and the hot air balloon slowly descended, finally landing steadily back on the original open space. Sun Mingde, who had been waiting on the side, was the first to rush up. He had just seen the strange scene here from the distant military camp, and hurried over, just in time to witness the entire process of the hot air balloon landing. “Brother Xiao! This…this thing…” Sun Mingde’s eyes widened as he pointed at the hot air balloon that had just landed, his words becoming incoherent with excitement. “This thing…can actually fly so high?!” Lin Xiao jumped out of the hanging basket, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile: “That’s right. Mingde, what do you think of using this thing in war?” Sun Mingde’s mind worked quickly and his eyes lit up instantly, as if he had seen a priceless treasure! “How is it? It’s simply… it’s a magical weapon!” He slapped his thigh and said excitedly, “Brother Xiao! With this thing, we can fly to the sky and see it! “Within a radius of dozens of miles, the enemy’s camps, troop movements, and the location of their food and fodder can be seen clearly! They can’t set up an ambush or a surprise attack!” “That’s right.” Lin Xiao nodded. “It is our ‘Clairvoyance’. In the future, when we fight, we will have the upper hand in terms of intelligence.” Sun Mingde became more and more excited as he thought about it. He rubbed his hands and said, “Then… can we throw things down from above? For example… kerosene cans? Or… explosive packs?” Lin Xiao glanced at him and smiled. “In theory, it’s possible, but it still needs testing and improvement. But the primary value of this thing is reconnaissance.” Li Dequan also walked over and looked at the huge hot air balloon, his face full of amazement and joy: “Brother Lin Xiao, this… is truly a masterpiece! With this thing, our Qinglin County is truly even more powerful!” Lin Xiao said to Li Dequan, “Uncle Dequan, now that this thing has been made, we must make use of it. “Please arrange for a reliable location to establish a dedicated workshop responsible for mass production of these hot air balloons. Select and train a team of specialized operators. The blueprints and technology must be kept strictly confidential.” “Oh! Okay! Don’t worry, Brother Lin Xiao!” Li Dequan agreed immediately, his eyes full of enthusiasm, “I’ll arrange it right away! I guarantee it will be done properly!” After Lin Xiao explained the follow up matters, he returned home feeling relaxed. In the evening, the dining room of the mansion was brightly lit and filled with the aroma of food. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, and beside him were Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, Zhang Wanqing, as well as Sister Lin and Aunt Wang. The two sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu were serving the dishes on the side, occasionally stealing a glance at Lin Xiao, their eyes full of admiration. At the dinner table, Yan Ruoxi chattered about how shocked she was when she saw the “sky lanterns” rising into the sky during the day, and occasionally attracted a burst of agreement. “Husband, that ‘sky lantern’ is so magical! When can we ride on it and have a look?” Yan Ruoxi’s eyes were full of anticipation. Lin Xiao smiled and put a piece of food into her bowl with chopsticks: “Don’t worry, I’ll take you to heaven for a good tour when the time comes.” “Great!” the girls cheered. While chatting and laughing, Lin Xiao noticed that Aunt Wang was a little abnormal today. Although she didn’t talk much on weekdays, she had a good appetite. But today, she was just taking small bites of the rice in the bowl, and hardly touched the dishes in front of her. Her face was a little pale. “Aunt Wang, what’s wrong? Is it not to your liking?” Lin Xiao asked with concern. Aunt Wang forced a smile and shook her head gently: “No, nothing, it’s just… I just feel a little nauseous and don’t want to eat.” As she spoke, she frowned slightly, and seemed to be really uncomfortable. Mrs. Lin listened from the side and burst out laughing: “Auntie, you look like you are pregnant!” Aunt Wang was stunned when she heard this, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she looked at Lin Xiao at a loss. All the girls also quieted down, their eyes all turning to Aunt Wang, then to Lin Xiao, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation. Lin Xiao’s heart moved, he put down his chopsticks, and said softly: “Aunt Wang, stretch out your hand, I’ll show you.” Aunt Wang felt a little embarrassed, but she still stretched out her wrist as she was told. Lin Xiao placed his finger on her pulse and concentrated for a moment. A hint of surprise flashed across his face, then turned into joy. He looked up at Aunt Wang and said with a smile, “Congratulations, Auntie. It’s indeed a pregnancy pulse.” “Ah!” Aunt Wang covered her mouth, her eyes full of surprise and disbelief, and then her eyes turned slightly red, showing both excitement and a little shyness. “Great! Aunt Wang is pregnant too!” Yan Ruoxi was the first to cheer, holding Aunt Wang’s hand, “Our family is going to have another baby!” “Congratulations, Aunt Wang!” “Congratulations!” Yan Ruotong, Zhang Wanqing and others also expressed their congratulations and were truly happy for Aunt Wang. The atmosphere in the dining room suddenly became warm and full of joy. Aunt Wang was surrounded by people, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling with happiness. She secretly glanced at Lin Xiao and saw that he was looking at her with a smile, and her heart was filled with sweetness and gratitude. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi also smiled and congratulated Aunt Wang, but when they looked at each other, a barely noticeable blush appeared on their faces. Yan Ruoxi was sharp eyed and said with a mischievous smile, “Now, only Sister Ruyan and Sister Xueyi are left! My husband, you better work harder!” “Ruoxi!” Liu Ruyan glared at her and her face turned even redder. Pei Xueyi also lowered her head, her ears burning. They were looking forward to it, but this kind of thing couldn’t be rushed. And… Lin Xiao was indeed too powerful, and sometimes both of them felt that they could not cope with him. Yan Ruotong also joined in the fun: “Yes, yes, husband, you have to treat everyone equally. Otherwise… I think Jing’er and Susu are old enough, why not…” Before she finished speaking, the two sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu, who were adding tea nearby, heard this and their hands shook, almost spilling the tea. Their cheeks flushed instantly, they lowered their heads, even their ears were red, their hearts were pounding, and they dared not breathe. Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao’s gaze involuntarily turned to the Yan Jing and her sister. Yan Jing had grown up. Although not as plump and mature as Yan Ruoxi and the others, she was still graceful and elegant. She had an oval face, willow shaped eyebrows, and a pair of large, clear, bright eyes. At this moment, because of shyness, her long eyelashes kept trembling, adding a touch of charming and charming appearance. The younger sister, Yan Susu, was even smaller, like a bud about to bloom. Her cheeks still had a hint of baby fat, and her big, round eyes were filled with innocence and ignorance. At this moment, she blushed in embarrassment at her sisters’ words, her little hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes. The two sisters had both fled and were taken in by Lin Xiao. They were filled with gratitude and awe towards Lin Xiao. Being named in public at this moment, they felt even more ashamed. At this moment, the long lost system prompt sound rang in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Ding! It was detected that the characters Yan Jing and Yan Susu can be bound. Do you want to bind them?] Lin Xiao was slightly stunned, then chose “yes” without hesitation. [Ding! Binding successful! Yan Jing, favorability 15.] [Ding! Binding successful! Yan Susu, favorability 16.] Two new girls have been linked! Lin Xiao was delighted. Although their initial favorability wasn’t high, they were both above ten points. This meant another chance to win the lottery! And twice! Chapter 302 Sky Lantern Approaching After the meal, everyone went their separate ways to rest. Lin Xiao returned to his room and couldn’t wait to open the system lottery interface. “System, start the lottery!” [Ding! Lottery drawing… Congratulations to the host, you won five Xiao Huan Dan pills!] Another Xiao Huan Dan! Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. This thing is a good treasure. It can improve physical fitness and is extremely useful for the girls around him. “Not bad, not bad!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction, “Continue with the lottery!” [Ding! Lottery drawing… Congratulations to the host, your physical fitness has been permanently enhanced fivefold!] boom! An indescribable and powerful heat suddenly emerged from deep within Lin Xiao’s limbs and bones, sweeping across his entire body in an instant! This feeling is more intense and overbearing than any previous enhancement! Lin Xiao only felt that the muscles, bones, and meridians all over his body were undergoing transformation at an incredible speed. The sense of power surged out like a volcanic eruption, and the five senses became sharper and clearer. He could even clearly hear the faint conversations coming from the streets farther away and smell the mixed aroma of various flowers, plants and food floating in the air. It seems as if there is endless energy in the body. Just by clenching a fist, you can feel the explosive power. This feeling of being reborn made Lin Xiao couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Awesome! So awesome! When the heat gradually subsided and merged into every corner of his body, Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes. This strength makes him more confident about the future. It’s late at night and everyone is asleep. After taking a shower, Liu Ruyan changed into a soft silk nightgown and walked into Lin Xiao’s room. The ends of her hair were still a little wet, and her pretty face looked even more charming and attractive in the candlelight. Lin Xiao was sitting at the table, looking at a plan for a new workshop in Qinglin County. “Husband.” Liu Ruyan called softly, walked behind him, stretched out her slender hands, and gently massaged his shoulders. Lin Xiao took her hand, let her sit on his lap, and held her in his arms. “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” Lin Xiao kissed her smooth forehead. Liu Ruyan gently rested her head on Lin Xiao’s chest, listening to his steady and strong heartbeat, feeling the reassuring breath on him, and whispered, “Husband, I want… I want to go see my sister again.” There was a barely perceptible hint of coquettishness and pleading in her voice. Ever since they last parted in the capital, she often missed Liu Weilan who was far away in the palace. Lin Xiao knew what she was thinking. He stroked her long, smooth hair and said gently, “Okay. I’ll go with you in a few days after I finish arranging the things I have on hand.” Liu Ruyan raised her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes: “Really?” “Of course it’s real.” Lin Xiao smiled, “Besides, we won’t need the fur ball this time. I’ll take you there on that newly made ‘sky lantern’. Seeing the scenery from the sky will definitely be more interesting than last time.” “Let’s go ride on a ‘sky lantern’?” Liu Ruyan’s eyes lit up, and a look of deep longing appeared on her face. The sight of the huge colorful “sky lantern” slowly rising into the sky during the day is truly shocking. She had also imagined what a wonderful experience it would be to be able to sit on it and fly in the clouds. Unexpectedly, her husband actually wanted to take her to the capital on a “sky lantern”! “Yeah.” Lin Xiao nodded. “Although that thing doesn’t fly fast, it’s very stable and has a wide field of view. It’s a good opportunity for you to see how magnificent the beautiful mountains and rivers are when viewed from the sky.” “That’s great!” Liu Ruyan happily hugged Lin Xiao’s neck and kissed him on the cheek, “Husband, you are so good!” Lin Xiao smiled and hugged her, feeling the warmth and tenderness of the beautiful woman in his arms, and his heart was filled with tenderness. “Should we get down to business?” “Husband, I want to go too!” When Yan Ruoxi learned that Lin Xiao was going to take Liu Ruyan to the capital to see her sister on the magical “sky lantern”, she was the first to object. She pulled Lin Xiao’s arm and kept shaking, her slightly pouting red lips looking so red that you could hang a bottle of oil on them. Lin Xiao looked at her obviously bulging belly and scratched her nose helplessly: “You’re about to give birth. What if you get a miscarriage from riding on that bumpy thing? Stay home obediently. After you give birth, I’ll take you out for some fun.” “But…but I want to see it too!” Yan Ruoxi felt a little aggrieved and looked at him eagerly, “Sitting on that is definitely more fun than sitting on a fur ball!” “Be obedient.” Lin Xiao frowned. “There’s no room for negotiation on this matter. Once you and your sister have safely given birth to your babies, I’ll make a bigger one and take you and the children flying together, okay?” Seeing Lin Xiao’s resolute attitude, Yan Ruoxi knew that it was useless to say anything more. She could only pout and nod reluctantly: “Well… okay. Husband, you must keep your word!” “When have I ever lied to you?” Lin Xiao smiled and patted her hand soothingly. In the end, the person who would go to the capital was chosen. Lin Xiao is naturally the backbone, Liu Ruyan must go, and Pei Xueyi also expressed his desire to go together. Lin Xiao thought about it, then looked at the sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu who were standing quietly beside him. “Jing’er, Susu, the two of you should pack up and come with us.” “Ah?” Yan Jing and Yan Susu were both stunned, and then their little faces showed expressions of surprise and joy, and a little uneasiness. They were just maids in the mansion, and the opportunity to travel far with their master was simply unimaginable. “Master, we…” Yan Jing hesitated. “No problem, just go if you’re told to. You can also take care of Ruyan and Xueyi on the way.” Lin Xiao made the decision directly, “You can also go out and see the world.” “Yes, young master!” The two sisters responded quickly, their eyes flashing with excitement. They secretly glanced at each other and saw each other’s excitement. In addition to them, Lin Xiao also selected twenty of the most elite guards, led by Sun Mingde himself, to be responsible for protecting the safety of this trip. Chapter 303 The Emperor Escapes Now that the personnel are determined, the next step is preparation. The journey to the capital was long, and the previous test piece was clearly not enough. Lin Xiao found Zhang Fuan again and took out a new blueprint. “Fuan, follow this blueprint and make a bigger ‘sky lantern.’ Use a double layer of silk for the balloon, and apply a thicker coating to ensure it’s absolutely airtight.” The hanging basket also needs to be larger and stronger, with ample space for fuel and supplies. “Also, the burner needs to be improved, with stronger and longer lasting fire, and easier to control the flame size.” “Okay! Don’t worry, Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan took the blueprint and rubbed his hands excitedly as if he had found a treasure. “I promise to build you the biggest and strongest one!” With previous experience, the craftsmen were much more efficient when they started working again. The finest silk, the toughest bamboo strips, and the highest quality hemp ropes were continuously delivered to the open space outside the city. Tailors sewed, bamboo craftsmen carefully wove, and blacksmiths clanged their ironwork. A few days later, a hot air balloon that was much larger than the previous one appeared in front of everyone. The colorful balloons spread on the ground alone looked like a small hill. The hanging basket is also unusually large, with raised and reinforced guardrails around it. There are even several small areas inside for storing food , fresh water, blankets, and a large number of special fuel tanks. The day before departure, Lin Xiao took Sun Mingde and several guards for another test flight. It circled in the air to test various performances, and only after confirming that everything was correct did it slowly land. Everything is ready. The next morning, Lin Xiao and his group arrived at an open space outside the city. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Zhang Wanqing, Sister Lin, Aunt Wang and others came to see them off. “Husband, be careful on the road.” Yan Ruoxi held Lin Xiao’s hand, reluctant to let go. “Don’t worry, it’s okay.” Lin Xiao pinched her face, “Take good care of the baby at home and wait for me to come back.” He also gave Li Dequan and Song Qinghe some instructions, asking them to take good care of the territory. “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao, we are at home!” Li Dequan assured, patting his chest. Everyone boarded the huge basket one by one. Lin Xiao took one last look at the people who had seen him off, waved, then jumped into the basket and ordered, “Ignite! Lift off!” “call ” Fierce flames erupted once more, and scorching air surged into the balloon. The massive hot air balloon slowly inflated, trembling and standing upright, its powerful buoyancy pulling at the fixed ropes. “Loosen the rope!” Following a command, the guards released the ropes. A massive, multicolored “sky lantern,” carrying Lin Xiao and his group, lifted smoothly off the ground and drifted eastward, towards the capital. On the ground, Yan Ruoxi looked up at the colorful ball that was getting smaller and smaller, until it turned into a small dot and disappeared into the sky. Then she looked away, gently touched her belly, her eyes full of anticipation. The capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the imperial palace, and the throne room. Emperor Li Yan sat on the dragon throne, absentmindedly turning the jade ring on his thumb. Most of the ministers were silent, with only a few officials reporting on some insignificant daily affairs. Zhou Mubai stood at the head of all the officials, his eyes slightly closed, looking calm and composed, as if he was in a trance. Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall. A captain dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard rushed into the hall in a panic, fell to his knees with a thud, and said in a trembling voice: “Your Majesty! Urgent military report from eight hundred miles away!” Li Yan sat up straight abruptly, frowned, and asked, “Why are you so scared?” The captain swallowed hard, holding up a sealed secret report in both hands. “Your Majesty! Urgent report from the northern border: a massive UFO has been spotted, speeding towards the capital! It’s shaped like a giant, multicolored ball with a giant basket hanging from its base. It’s suspected to belong to the traitor Lin Xiao!” “What?!” Li Yan’s face turned pale, and the jade ring in his hand almost fell to the ground. “A giant colorful ball? A flying object?” “Lin Xiao? Why is he here again?!” The hall erupted in an instant! All the civil and military officials were terrified, whispering to each other, their faces filled with panic. The last time Lin Xiao sneaked into the capital without anyone noticing and wiped out the entire family of the Minister of Revenue overnight, they were already terrified. Now, the other party is actually riding a flying “monster” and swaggering towards the capital?! Zhou Mubai opened his eyes, a gleam in his eyes, and took a step forward, took the secret report from the captain’s hand, and quickly read it. The more he read, the tighter his brow furrowed. “Your Majesty,” Zhou Mubai put down the secret report, his face solemn. “The information is true. According to the description, this object is exactly the ‘Sky Lantern’ that Lin Xiao created earlier, capable of carrying people into the sky. It’s not fast, but it’s heading directly towards the capital. Based on its speed, it will reach the capital by tomorrow afternoon at the latest!” “Sky lantern…that peasant, did he really come here on that thing?!” Li Yan’s voice was trembling. He thought of the miserable plight of Cui Ling’s family, and seemed to see Lin Xiao’s smiling face, looking down at him from the sky, and could come down to take his life at any time. He suddenly stood up from the dragon chair and paced anxiously on the spot, “What should I do? What should I do?!” “Quick! Pass the order down! Close the city gates! The whole city is under martial law!” a general shouted hurriedly. “What’s the point of martial law? They’re flying from the sky!” another minister retorted, “The city walls can’t stop them!” “Then…then send the archers? Shoot it down!” “Shoot? Look at how big that thing is! How high it’s flying! How can an ordinary bow and arrow reach it? Even if it can reach it, what if it can’t penetrate it and angers Lin Xiao…” “Silence!” Zhou Mubai shouted in a deep voice, suppressing the noise in the hall. He turned to the panicked Li Yan and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, the most urgent priority is safety. Your Majesty should temporarily avoid the limelight and move to a secret place outside the city to ensure the safety of your body. The affairs of the capital will be temporarily handled by this old minister and several elders.” “Okay, okay! Let’s go there!” Li Yan nodded repeatedly as if he had grabbed a life saving straw, “Let’s go immediately! This matter must not be leaked! Quick!” So, while Lin Xiao’s hot air balloon was still slowly floating in the sky hundreds of miles away, the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, in a state of panic and top secrecy, was personally arranged by Zhou Mubai to abandon the palace and flee to a secret villa in the suburbs of Beijing that no one knew about, accompanied by two or three of his most trusted eunuchs and a team of disguised top guards. Except for Zhou Mubai and a few others, no one knew the emperor’s exact whereabouts. Kunning Palace. Liu Weilan sat in front of the window, watching the imperial guards busy being mobilized outside the palace wall, and listening to the palace maids whispering about the situation outside and the whereabouts of the emperor, her eyebrows slightly frowned. Lin Xiao…he’s here again? Thinking of the seemingly gentle but ruthless young county magistrate, the bloody storm he had stirred up in the capital last time, and then thinking of her sister who was completely bewitched by him, Liu Weilan’s mood was extremely complicated. The emperor’s reaction only made her feel a little disappointed and helpless. As the king of a country, facing a threat, the first thing he thought of was not how to defend himself, but to flee and hide. This was her nominal husband, was this the Great Zhou’s reliance? Compared to that daring Lin Xiao, who even dared to descend from the sky on a strange object… Chapter 304 The God of Killing Arrives Again The capital city, all the major mansions. The officials who had just learned from the palace that His Majesty the Emperor had “secretly moved” returned home in a daze. They did not dare to say openly that His Majesty had run away, but only said that there might be a “rebel” coming, and the palace had increased its vigilance. “Listen up, everyone!” As soon as the Minister of Revenue, Lord Wang, entered the house, he sternly scolded his good for nothing sons, “From today on, all of you stay in the mansion and behave yourself. You’re not allowed to go out and cause trouble! Especially you, Boss. If you dare go to those brothels again, I’ll break your legs!” Young Master Wang usually relied on his father’s power to walk all over the capital. But now, seeing his father’s face turn pale and his tone more severe than ever before, he couldn’t help but shrink his neck: “Dad, what happened?” “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t!” Minister Wang glared. “Anyway, the capital has been in turmoil lately. That… that killer from Qinglin County might be coming again! If any of you run into him, don’t blame me for disowning you!” “Lin…Lin Xiao?!” The sons’ faces turned pale when they heard the name. They still remember the horrific massacre of Minister Cui’s family. That was the Minister of Revenue! Just gone like that! “Dad, is Lin Xiao really that powerful? Even the imperial court…” “Shut up!” Minister Wang was so frightened that he quickly covered his son’s mouth. “If you want to die, don’t drag your whole family with you! Remember my words, keep your tail between your legs and behave yourself ! Otherwise, even the gods can’t save you!” Similar scenes were played out one after another in the residences of major officials in the capital. “Madam, hurry up and pack up all the valuable gold and silver jewelry in the house and send them to the farm in the countryside!” “Son, haven’t you always wanted to go to Jiangnan to study? Dad has prepared the money for you, let’s leave tomorrow!” “Grandson, be obedient. Don’t go out these few days. Just stay at home and play chess with your grandfather. Don’t go anywhere!” For a time, all the sons of officials and wealthy people with some connections in the capital were like frightened birds. Some packed their bags overnight and, under the pretext of visiting relatives or recuperating from illness, fled to farms outside Beijing or even further afield in the countryside to avoid the limelight. They would rather eat coarse food in the countryside than meet that evil star in the capital. The entire upper class of the capital was shrouded in unspeakable panic. The next afternoon, the sky in the capital was still clear. The people were busy as usual, and the sounds of hawking, talking and laughing could be heard one after another in the streets and alleys. Suddenly, someone pointed to the eastern sky and exclaimed, “Look! What’s that?!” Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw an extremely huge colorful sphere slowly floating from the eastern sky. The sphere was colorful and stood out in the sunlight, with a huge basket hanging underneath. “Oh my god! What a huge…lantern?” “No! How can a lantern be this big? And can it fly?” “God! It’s a god who has come down to earth!” As the behemoth got closer and closer, the people in the capital were in an uproar. They had never seen such a spectacle before. The huge flying object pressed down on them like it blocked out the sky and brought with it an indescribable feeling of oppression. Many timid people were so frightened that their legs went weak. They knelt on the ground in the street, kowtowed to the “alien creature”, muttered to themselves, and prayed for the gods’ protection. The defenders on the city wall also discovered this uninvited guest and immediately fell into chaos. “Quick! Report to the general!” “Archers ready! Shoot it down!” Arrows shot into the sky like locusts, but the huge “sky lantern” was flying so high that the arrows ran out of energy in mid air and fell down one after another, unable to touch it at all. The generals looked at the giant monster that was getting closer and closer, and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads. They had already heard the news and knew that this was most likely the traitor Lin Xiao’s vehicle. But how could they deal with it? The city walls were useless in front of it! The hot air balloon circled slowly over the capital, like an eagle patrolling its territory. Lin Xiao stood on the edge of the hanging basket, looking down at the capital’s buildings and the panicked crowd below that had become like ants, with a faint smile on his lips. “Ruyan, let’s go down.” He turned around and said to Liu Ruyan. Liu Ruyan nodded slightly nervously and held Lin Xiao’s arm tightly. Lin Xiao instructed the guards, “Take Xueyi, Jing’er, Susu, and the others to the capital for a stroll. You will protect them in secret. Remember, keep a low profile and don’t cause any trouble.” Pei Xueyi pursed her lips and smiled: “Don’t worry, husband.” Sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu also looked excited. They were naturally happy to have the opportunity to visit this legendary capital city. Afterwards, Lin Xiao put his arm around Liu Ruyan’s waist and came down to a secluded area. Kunning Palace. Liu Weilan was flipping through a book anxiously, with a palace maid serving her carefully beside her. Suddenly, the light outside the window dimmed slightly, and two figures appeared in the hall like ghosts. “Who?!” the palace maid screamed in fright. Liu Weilan was also startled. She looked up suddenly and when she saw who it was, she was stunned: “Lin Xiao? Ruyan?” Liu Ruyan quickly stepped forward, took Liu Weilan’s hand, and said excitedly, “Sister!” “You…you girl!” Liu Weilan looked at her dusty sister, then at the calm Lin Xiao, feeling both surprised and helpless. “Do you know what a commotion there was because of your trip?” She briefly recounted how the emperor fled upon hearing the news, how the ministers panicked, and how the young men in the capital fled to escape disaster. Lin Xiao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry after hearing this. Li Yan was really too timid. I just wanted to bring Ruyan to see her sister and give her some gifts, so how did it become a disaster? Liu Ruyan was a little embarrassed and stuck out her tongue: “Sister, I just missed you so much. The adults said it would be convenient to use this ‘sky lantern’, so we came here.” “Sky Lantern…” Liu Weilan smiled bitterly and shook her head. This was far from being convenient; it was turning the entire capital city upside down. However, seeing that her sister was safe and sound, the heavy stone in her heart finally fell. The two sisters sat down and talked, and Liu Ruyan took out a few things from a package she had brought with her. “Sister, look! This is a new glass mirror from my husband’s domain. It’s much clearer than the bronze mirrors in the palace. And these pieces of fabric are newly spun, with the latest colors and patterns.” Liu Weilan picked up the small glass mirror and saw that the mirror surface was extremely smooth. The human figure reflected in it was clear and delicate, with every detail visible. It was a world of difference compared to the blurry bronze mirrors in the palace. She touched the silk fabrics again. They were soft and smooth to the touch, with bright colors and novel and unique patterns that had never been seen in the palace. “Are these… all from Qinglin County?” Liu Weilan’s eyes were filled with surprise. She knew Lin Xiao had some unusual abilities, but she had never expected him to produce so many good things. “Yes, sir is very powerful!” Liu Ruyan said proudly. Lin Xiao just stood there smiling and saying nothing, letting the two sisters talk intimately. Before I knew it, it was getting dark. A palace maid came in with a food box: “Your Majesty, dinner is ready.” Liu Ruyan and Lin Xiao immediately hid behind the screen. The space was not big, and the two of them were almost chest to back. Lin Xiao could clearly smell the faint fragrance in Liu Ruyan’s hair, and Liu Ruyan could also feel the warmth of Lin Xiao’s chest and his steady heartbeat, and her cheeks couldn’t help but feel slightly hot. The palace maid served the dishes and bowed before leaving. Liu Weilan coughed lightly, walked to the screen, and said calmly, “Come out, let’s eat together.” She glanced at the intimate posture of the two people, as if she saw nothing. Chapter 305 The Queen Leaves the Palace Lin Xiao was not polite and started eating with his chopsticks. Liu Ruyan was already used to the comfort of dining with Lin Xiao. After the meal, the maids cleared away the dishes. Liu Ruyan approached Liu Weilan, tugged on her sleeve, and shook it gently. “Sister, let’s go for a walk. The streets are bustling tonight, and there are so many new and interesting things to see.” Liu Weilan frowned: “Nonsense. I am the queen, how can I leave the palace at will? Besides, I am outside now…” She paused and didn’t say anything else, but her meaning was very clear. When Lin Xiao’s “Sky Lantern” arrived, the capital was in a state of panic. “Oh, it’ll only take a moment!” Liu Ruyan began to act coquettishly, her voice soft and sweet, “Let’s go quietly and not be discovered. The adults will definitely have a way, right?” As she spoke, she looked at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao smiled and said nothing. Liu Weilan looked at her sister’s expectant eyes, and thought that she had not walked around the streets like an ordinary person for a long time, and her heart was slightly moved. The palace was lonely, and the hustle and bustle outside had an indescribable attraction to her. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t resist her sister’s nagging. She sighed softly, “Alright, I’ll do as you say. But only for a moment, and don’t cause any trouble.” “That’s great! Thank you, sister!” Liu Ruyan cheered immediately. Lin Xiao smiled slightly, walked to the window and let out a very slight whistle. Not long after, the light in the courtyard outside the palace suddenly dimmed, as if dark clouds had blocked the moonlight. A huge shadow was cast, and then, accompanied by a low but majestic cry, a huge and extraordinary creature slowly landed in the courtyard. It’s a ball of hair! Its feathers were as bright as gold, sheeny with a metallic luster under the moonlight, and each feather stood upright like a steel needle, making it look extremely powerful. The pair of golden vertical pupils were as sharp as lightning, and they carried an air of looking down on the world when they glanced around. The sharp claws grabbed the ground, leaving shallow marks. “This… this is…” Liu Weilan walked to the window and saw the giant golden eagle in the courtyard that looked like a mythical creature. Her eyes widened and her face was full of shock. Although she had heard from her sister that Lin Xiao had a magical eagle pet, she had never imagined that it would look like this. It was simply not something from this world! “Sister, this is a fur ball. It looks majestic, right?” Liu Ruyan introduced proudly. Lin Xiao walked to Liu Weilan’s side: “Empress, please.” The three of them came to the courtyard and approached the fur ball. Liu Weilan could even feel the faint heat emanating from it, as well as the invisible sense of oppression. Lin Xiao jumped onto the eagle’s back first, then stretched out his hand towards Liu Weilan. Liu Weilan hesitated for a moment, glanced at Liu Ruyan’s encouraging eyes, and finally placed her hand on Lin Xiao’s broad palm. Lin Xiao pulled her up with a little effort. Liu Ruyan also jumped up lightly. “Hold on tight.” Lin Xiao reminded. The fur ball flapped its wings, a huge airflow rolled up, and it took off from the ground in an instant! “Ah!” Liu Weilan had never had such an experience before. Her body suddenly flew into the air. The feeling of weightlessness made her scream subconsciously, and her body fell backwards involuntarily. Just then, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly in place. Lin Xiao’s steady voice came from his ears: “Don’t move, no one will save you if you fall.” Liu Weilan’s body stiffened, and she realized that she was almost leaning in Lin Xiao’s arms. The warmth from the hand on her waist made her cheeks instantly warm up. She struggled, but the grip was tightened even more. Thinking of Lin Xiao’s words and feeling that she was getting farther and farther away from the ground, she finally didn’t dare to move anymore. Her cheeks flushed and she turned her head away slightly. The ball of fur flew extremely fast and steadily, and the prosperous night scene of the capital city passed by quickly under its feet, with the lights shining like a galaxy. Liu Weilan was initially nervous, then surprised. Looking at this aerial scene she had never seen before, she even forgot her embarrassment for a moment. Soon, Maoqiu found himself in a relatively quiet street corner. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Liu Weilan immediately pushed Lin Xiao’s arm away, stood aside, tidied her slightly messy hair and dress, and restored the dignified demeanor of a queen, but there was still a hint of blush on her ears. Liu Ruyan jumped off the eagle’s back and quietly approached Lin Xiao. She nudged him with her elbow and lowered her voice with a mischievous smile, “My sister is pretty good, isn’t she? Go harder and take her in too. She’s the queen!” Lin Xiao’s gaze fell on Liu Weilan’s back. She had a slender figure, and her palace dress only accentuated her elegance and grace. Although only her profile was visible, her smooth forehead, straight nose, and slightly pursed lips all exuded a captivating coolness and dignity. Liu Weilan seemed to have heard Liu Ruyan’s whisper. She turned around abruptly and glared at her sister: “Ruyan! What nonsense are you talking about!” Liu Ruyan made a face, giggled, ran over and took Liu Weilan’s arm. Lin Xiao let Maoqiu hide nearby, and then took the two sisters and quickly found Pei Xueyi and the Yan sisters who were waiting on another street. The group met up and began to stroll along the brightly lit streets. The two little girls, Yan Jing and Yan Susu, saw the prosperous night scene of the capital for the first time. They looked around excitedly and found everything new and interesting. Pei Xueyi stayed quietly by her side, occasionally chatting and laughing with Liu Ruyan in a low voice. Liu Weilan was a little reserved at first, but was soon infected by the lively atmosphere. The cries of street vendors, the laughter of children, and the aroma of various foods mixed together, filled with the flavor of life. Liu Ruyan took her to buy a string of crystal clear candied haws and tasted some exquisite pastries. Liu Weilan hadn’t been so relaxed in many years, and a faint smile gradually appeared at the corner of her mouth. As I was walking, I heard a clerk from a nearby silk shop calling out to customers, “Come and see! This is the newest brocade from Qinglin County! The patterns are the newest and brightest, and all the ladies in the palace want it!” Passing by another grain and oil shop, the owner patted his chest and said to the customers, “This is authentic Qinglin rice! Try it, it’s fragrant and sticky, I guarantee you’ll want more!” The three words “Qinglin County” were like a golden signboard, constantly entering Liu Weilan’s ears. Only then did she realize that, unknowingly, the products produced in this once remote place had become synonymous with high end and high quality in the capital. From food and cloth to glass, it seemed that anything with the word “Qinglin” in its name represented something extraordinary. At this time, whispers of two guests were heard in the teahouse next door. “Hey, have you noticed that those arrogant young men and young thugs on the streets have become more restrained recently?” “That’s right! I heard they were afraid of that Lord Lin who came out of nowhere! Last time, the family of Minister Cui of the Ministry of Revenue…tsk tsk…” “Yes, yes. I heard that Lord Lin hates evil and has ruthless methods. Who among those corrupt officials and playboys wouldn’t be afraid of him?” “If you ask me, having such a killer god around is actually a good thing!” Hearing these discussions, the smile on Liu Weilan’s face faded and she felt mixed emotions. She sighed softly. On the one hand, she was happy to see the security in the capital improve and the people suffer less oppression; But on the other hand, this improvement was actually based on the fear of Lin Xiao, the “God of Killing”. Even the emperor “avoided disaster” because of this, which made her feel indescribable irony and helplessness. Is it possible that the majesty of the Great Zhou court is not as powerful as the deterrent effect brought by a local county governor? Her gaze involuntarily turned to Lin Xiao who was not far away. He was listening patiently to what Yan Susu was saying, with a gentle smile on his face, looking harmless. But who could have imagined that it was this person who stirred up the entire capital and made countless people tremble in fear. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by 2. Current favorability: 13.] Lin Xiao’s mind rang with a system notification. He happened to meet Liu Weilan’s complicated gaze. He smiled faintly and said, “If the Empress has time, you might want to visit Qinglin County. It’s a completely different scene from the capital.” Liu Weilan withdrew her gaze and did not respond. Chapter 306: Importation of a Newborn They strolled around for a while longer, and seeing that it was getting late, Liu Weilan said, “It’s time to go back to the palace.” Everyone returned to the previous street corner, and Lin Xiao summoned the ball of fur again. The huge golden eagle descended silently. This time, without waiting for Lin Xiao to reach out, Liu Weilan prepared to climb up on his own. The back of the fur ball is very wide, but it is still a little difficult to climb up for people who are not used to it. Lin Xiao took a step forward naturally, stretched out his arms again, hugged her waist, and lifted her up with a little force. This time, Liu Weilan’s body only stiffened slightly, but she did not struggle or refuse anymore, and tacitly accepted his help. The ball of fur took off into the air again and flew steadily towards the palace. The night wind blew, and Lin Xiao still stood behind Liu Weilan, his arms vaguely protecting her to prevent her from shaking due to instability. Soon, the ball of fur landed in the courtyard of Kunning Palace. Liu Weilan dismounted from the eagle’s back, steadied himself, and turned to Liu Ruyan, his tone tinged with seriousness: “Ruyan, what happened today will not happen again. It’s disgraceful to mobilize such a large force.” Liu Ruyan knew her sister was worried about her, so she nodded obediently, “I understand, sister. I won’t do it again next time.” Lin Xiao also said goodbye to Pei Xueyi and the Yan sisters and prepared to go to where the hot air balloon was parked. Before leaving, he nodded slightly to Liu Weilan: “Queen, goodbye.” Liu Weilan looked at Lin Xiao’s departing back, then looked at her sister who was standing beside her with a joyful look on her face, and sighed again in her heart. Lin Xiao, along with Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, and the Yan sisters, quickly returned to the hidden hot air balloon site on the outskirts of Beijing, without alerting anyone. Following their memories, they found their guards already waiting, and everything was in perfect order. “Sir.” The captain of the guard stepped forward and reported in a low voice, “Everything is normal. We can set off at any time.” Lin Xiao nodded and glanced at the huge hot air balloon. Liu Ruyan walked over to Lin Xiao and said softly, “Sister… seems a little unhappy.” Lin Xiao put his arm around her shoulders and said, “It’s lonely in the deep palace, and we have no choice. Let’s visit her again when we have the chance.” “Yeah.” Liu Ruyan responded softly and snuggled in Lin Xiao’s arms. Everyone boarded the gondola again. Following Lin Xiao’s command, flames erupted, and the hot air balloon slowly ascended into the air, soon hovering over the capital again. It then turned and drifted southwest towards Qinglin County. At the same time, in a heavily guarded secret villa somewhere in the suburbs of Beijing. When the spy brought back the news that “the sky lantern has left the capital”, the eunuch who received the news rushed into the study crawling. “Your Majesty! It’s gone! That thing is gone!” Emperor Li Yan, who was fidgeting and drinking cup after cup of calming tea, suddenly stood up upon hearing this, knocking his cup over and splashing a corner of his dragon robe. He ignored it and grabbed the eunuch’s arm, eagerly confirming, “Are you serious? Did you see clearly? Which direction did he go?” “Absolutely true! It’s heading southwest! It’s going so fast that I can hardly see it anymore!” “Good! Good! Good!” Li Yan said three good words in a row, and his tense nerves suddenly relaxed. He felt as if all his bones were pulled out. He slumped down in the chair, let out a long sigh, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat. After a moment, he finally recovered, the emperor’s majesty reappearing on his face: “Humph! I don’t think Lin Xiao would dare to do anything to me! He’s just playing tricks!” Zhou Mu, standing beside him, rolled his eyes, looking down at his nose, and then down at his heart, as if he hadn’t heard the emperor’s self consolation. He simply said, “Your Majesty, now that the threat has been eliminated, are you ready to return to the palace?” “Go back! Go back immediately!” Li Yan didn’t want to stay in this “shelter” any longer. The news quickly spread back to the capital. Those officials and nobles who had retreated to their rural estates or stayed indoors breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the “God of Killing” had left. At the residence of Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue, Young Master Wang cautiously poked his head in: “Dad, is Lin Xiao…really gone?” “Let’s go!” Minister Wang waved his hand in annoyance, but he was muttering in his heart, this Lin Xiao comes and goes freely, what will he do next time? It seems that this capital city is not a place to stay for long… Many officials had similar thoughts. The deterrent power of Qinglin County was like a sword hanging over their heads, making them feel uneasy. The hot air balloon flew steadily in the air. After three days and three nights, the familiar mountains and rivers below gradually came into view. “Look! It’s our Qinglin Mountain!” Yan Susu pointed to the mountains in the distance and shouted excitedly. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi also smiled. Going home always makes people happy. Lin Xiao controlled the hot air balloon, slowly lowered its altitude, and flew towards an open space near the county magistrate’s office. On the ground, the sharp eyed people had already seen this familiar behemoth and stopped to watch. Their faces were no longer filled with fear, but with curiosity and awe. “It’s the County Magistrate’s ‘Sky Lantern’ that has returned!” “The master is back!” The hot air balloon landed smoothly, and the huge balloon was slowly deflated and folded up with the help of the guards. Lin Xiao was the first to jump off the hanging basket, breathing in the familiar air and feeling particularly comfortable. Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, and the others followed suit. Just then, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounded in the distance. A man and a horse were galloping towards this side. The figure on the horse was Song Qinghe. Seeing him sweating profusely and looking anxious, Lin Xiao’s heart sank slightly. Could something have happened in the territory? Before Lin Xiao could ask, Song Qinghe had already dismounted and rushed to Lin Xiao. Without even bothering to salute, he said hurriedly, “Sir! You’re finally back! Quick! Come back to the mansion! Madam Ruoxi and Madam Ruotong… are about to give birth!” “What?!” Lin Xiao’s head buzzed when he heard that. The smile on his face froze instantly, replaced by astonishment and nervousness. Counting the days, it was indeed almost the due date, but I didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence that it happened just when he came back! He no longer cared about anything else and turned around and ran towards the county magistrate’s office. “Husband!” Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were also startled and hurried to catch up. Yan Jing and Yan Susu also lifted their skirts and trotted after him. Song Qinghe was holding the horse, watching Lin Xiao’s back as he rushed out like an arrow. He wiped his sweat off his forehead and hurried to catch up. The county magistrate’s mansion was already bustling with activity. Maids and servants hurried in and out, carrying hot water and clean towels, their faces filled with nervous anticipation. Sister Lin and Aunt Wang stood at the door of the delivery room, pacing anxiously and peering inside from time to time. One could faintly hear the suppressed cries of pain from Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, as well as the midwife’s steady commands, coming from the delivery room. “Harder, ma’am! Harder!” “Breathe in…exhale…yes! That’s it!” Lin Xiao rushed into the yard like a gust of wind and headed straight for the delivery room. “Sir!” Sister Lin and Aunt Wang, upon seeing Lin Xiao, felt as if they had found their backbone and hurried over to greet him, “You’re back! Ruoxi and Ruotong have been in labor since this morning, and now… now…” “Let me go in and take a look!” Lin Xiao said as he was about to rush in. “Hey! Sir! You can’t do that! You can’t do that!” The two midwives guarding the door hurriedly stopped him. “The delivery room is filthy. It’s unlucky for a man to go in! Please wait outside!” “Get out of here!” Lin Xiao was so anxious at the moment that he didn’t care about any rules. “My wife is inside!” He pushed aside the midwife who was blocking his way and rushed in. Chapter 307: Congratulations on the Birth of a Child The delivery room was filled with a strong smell of blood and herbs. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong lay on their respective delivery beds, pale, sweating profusely, and gritting their teeth. Beside them were two midwives, each trained according to the standards of the “Barefoot Doctor Manual,” busy at work. They were skilled and focused. Seeing Lin Xiao suddenly rush in, several midwives were startled. The most experienced midwife in the lead was stunned for a moment, but seeing Lin Xiao’s anxious expression and remembering the emphasis on “stabilizing the mother’s emotions” in the manual, she hesitated for a moment and finally did not force the man to leave. She just whispered, “Sir, please just watch from the side and don’t disturb us.” “Ruoxi! Ruotong!” Lin Xiao walked quickly between the two beds, holding Yan Ruoxi’s hand with one hand and Yan Ruotong’s hand with the other. “Husband…” “Husband…you’re back…” Seeing Lin Xiao, the two sisters who were still struggling to hold on instantly had tears in their eyes. They seemed to have found the greatest support and held his hand tightly. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here, I’m with you!” Lin Xiao looked at their painful expressions, his heart aching beyond words, but he tried to keep his voice calm and gentle, constantly encouraging them, “You are the best! You will be fine soon! Think about our children!” The two sisters felt the warmth and strength coming from Lin Xiao’s palm, and the panic and fear in their hearts seemed to be alleviated a lot. They gathered their strength again and cooperated with the midwife’s guidance. Time passed minute by minute, and the atmosphere in the delivery room was extremely tense. Lin Xiao’s palms were sweaty. He held his two wives’ hands tightly, feeling their trembling with every effort. “I see the end! I see the end! Madam! Try harder!” The midwife in charge of Yan Ruoxi suddenly shouted. Yan Ruoxi seemed to be injected with new strength after hearing this. She took a deep breath and tried her best—— “Wow——” A loud and clear baby cry suddenly broke the tense atmosphere in the delivery room! “It’s born! It’s born! It’s a girl!” the midwife shouted in surprise, handling the matter skillfully. Lin Xiao felt relieved and looked at Yan Ruoxi. She was exhausted, but she had an extremely happy smile on her face. “Ruoxi, thank you for your hard work.” Lin Xiao kissed her forehead lightly. Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Yan Ruotong on the other side also reached a critical moment. “Ma’am! Push harder! It’s coming out soon!” Yan Ruotong held Lin Xiao’s hand tightly, her nails almost digging into his flesh. She gritted her teeth and used up her last bit of strength. About ten minutes passed. “Wow——” Another equally loud cry sounded! “It’s born! It’s a boy! Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir!” Lin Xiao’s heart completely fell back into his stomach, and huge joy instantly filled his entire chest. He looked at Yan Ruotong. She was also too tired to speak, but her eyes were bright and full of the gentle glow of a new mother. The midwife wrapped the two little ones in soft cloth and brought them to Lin Xiao. A delicate and pretty little girl, and an equally cute little boy. Lin Xiao held the two little babies in each hand, carefully. The one on the left is her daughter. You can vaguely see Yan Ruoxi’s shadow in her eyes and eyebrows. She is sleeping soundly at the moment, and her little mouth occasionally sms, which is so cute. The one on the right is his son, whose facial features are more like Yan Rutong. Although he also has his eyes closed, his little fists are clenched tightly, as if full of strength. Looking at these two newly born little lives, Lin Xiao’s heart was filled with an unprecedented softness and satisfaction. Coming this far, going through many twists and turns, building a foundation, all the hard work and efforts seem to have found the most perfect footnote at this moment. The smile on his face was a little silly, but also very sincere. “Husband…” Yan Ruoxi’s voice was a little weak, but full of joy. She turned her head and looked at her daughter in Lin Xiao’s arms, her eyes so gentle that tears could drip from them. “Husband, please give…give the children a name.” Yan Ruotong also tried her best to support her body, her eyes fell on her son’s little face, full of maternal radiance. Lin Xiao regained consciousness, looked at his daughter, then at his son, and paused for a moment. He hoped his children would be safe and happy, and he also placed his hopes on the future. “As for my daughter…” Lin Xiao looked down at the tender little girl in his arms, “Let’s call her Lin Xin. Xin means the rising sun, the beginning of light. I hope she will have a bright and carefree life.” He looked at his son again and said, “Since he’s my younger brother, I’ll name him Lin Rui, which means auspicious. May he bring good fortune to our Lin family and blessings to the world.” “Lin Xin, Lin Rui…” The two sisters whispered softly, their eyes full of joy. “Nice names! Xin’er, Rui’er, you must listen to daddy from now on.” Yan Ruoxi teased her daughter’s little face. Looking at the tired yet happy faces of his two wives, Lin Xiao’s heart was filled with pity. “You guys have a good rest, and leave the rest to me.” He leaned over and kissed each of them on the forehead, his tone gentle. The two sisters nodded obediently. They had just given birth and they really needed to rest well. Lin Xiao handed the child to the rigorously trained wet nurse who had been waiting by the side, and turned around and walked out of the delivery room. Outside the door, Sister Lin, Aunt Wang, Zhang Wanqing, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, the Yan sisters, as well as Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde and others who had rushed over after hearing the news, were all waiting anxiously. When they saw Lin Xiao come out, they immediately surrounded him. “grown ups!” “Brother Lin Xiao!” “Husband!” “It’s all born!” Lin Xiao’s face was filled with an irrepressible smile as he announced to everyone, “Ruoxi gave birth to a daughter, and Ruotong gave birth to a son. It’s a double blessing, a dragon and a phoenix, double happiness!” “Very good!” “Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir!” “God bless! Double happiness!” The courtyard erupted in cheers and congratulations. Li Dequan’s face flushed with excitement as he rubbed his hands together, “Brother Lin Xiao, this is a truly great event! We have two new young masters in Qinglin County!” Song Qinghe also bowed and smiled, “Congratulations, sir, on the birth of your son! This is a blessing for Qinglin County!” Sun Mingde, the towering figure, grinned widely, unable to close his mouth. “Haha! Congratulations, sir! I knew you would be blessed with great fortune!” Seeing everyone’s sincere smiles, Lin Xiao’s heart was also filled with joy. He said loudly, “Congratulations! Congratulations! This is not only a happy event for my Lin Xiao family, but also for the entire Qinglin County!” He paused, glanced at everyone, and raised his voice a few degrees: “Uncle Dequan!” “Hey! Here!” Li Dequan responded quickly. “Pass on my order!” Lin Xiao said with great enthusiasm, “Today, to celebrate the birth of my children, all the granaries under the jurisdiction of Qinglin County will be opened to release grain! All the people, regardless of gender, age or status, will be provided with free meals by the government for a day! Let everyone have fun together!” “What?!” Li Dequan’s eyes widened instantly, and he could hardly believe his ears. “Brother Lin Xiao, are you saying… all the people will eat for free for one day?” “Yes! That means all the people!” Lin Xiao nodded in confirmation. “From the county seat to every county and village, no one can be left behind! Tell the officials below to ensure this is fully implemented. Anyone who dares to withhold funds or pretend to disobey will be severely punished!” “Oh my God!” Li Dequan’s voice trembled with excitement. “If the people knew this, they would be so happy! I’ll do it right away! I guarantee it will be done perfectly!” Song Qinghe was also shocked. All the people in the county had a free meal for one day. What a boldness and generosity! He took a deep breath and bowed again: “Your Excellency is so kind!” Chapter 308: The Whole County Celebrates Lin Xiao waved his hand, and the smile on his face became even more intense: “It’s not enough to just have a full meal! We also need to have some fun!” He looked at Zhang Fuan. “Fu’an!” “I’m here!” Zhang Fuan quickly stepped forward. “How many of the fireworks we made before are left in our warehouse?” Lin Xiao asked. Zhang Fuan thought for a moment and replied, “Your Excellency, there are at least several thousand fireworks of all sizes!” “Okay!” Lin Xiao waved his hand. “Tonight, set off all the fireworks! As many as you can! Let the entire night sky of Qinglin County light up!” “Ah?!” Zhang Fuan was also stunned, then overjoyed, “They’re all released? Great! Just wait and see, sir! I guarantee that tonight will be more lively than Chinese New Year!” He remembered something else and quickly added, “By the way, sir! We’ve made some of those firecrackers you mentioned earlier! Do you want to set them off too?” “Release them all! No matter how many there are, release them all!” Lin Xiao was full of heroic spirit. “Yes, sir!” everyone responded in unison and immediately went to convey the order. The news spread rapidly from the county magistrate’s office to every corner of the county city as if it had wings, and was then sent to every county and village at full speed. “Bang! Snap! Crack! Crack!!” The first place to become lively was the county town. Countless firecrackers were set off shortly after the order was given. The deafening roar of the explosions suddenly drowned out all the noise in the city. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, yet also filled with an indescribable joy. The children were the happiest. They covered their ears and chased and played excitedly in the streets. The brave ones even came forward to pick up the remnants that had not completely exploded. Their faces were flushed by the fireworks of the firecrackers and their laughter was crisp. The granary, which is usually heavily guarded, has its doors wide open today. Mountains of grain were shipped in bags and carts to various locations. Huge iron pots were hastily erected throughout the city and the countryside, and many civilians spontaneously brought out their own pots and pans. Fires crackled, and the army’s cooks were temporarily drafted in, directing the preparations for porridge and meat. The rich aroma of meat and rice mingled, wafting from far away, making everyone salivate. Jiaoshi County. Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Daniu were resting on the edge of the field, discussing the second round of fertilizing the sweet potatoes this year and estimating how long it would take before they could have another good harvest. Suddenly, the sound of a broken gong in the village being banged loudly was heard, accompanied by Muramasa shouting at the top of his lungs. “The county magistrate has given birth! Twins, a boy and a girl! What a joyous occasion! The magistrate has ordered that the entire village eat at the government’s table today, free of charge! Everyone go to the ancestral hall to collect grain and meat!” “Brother…Brother Wang, did I hear correctly?” Zhang Daniu scratched his ears, a look of disbelief on his face. “The county magistrate is having a baby, and we…we’re eating for free? And…we even get meat?” Wang Tiezhu was also stunned, then a huge smile broke out on his face, his wrinkles etched with joy. “You fool! The County Magistrate has had a baby, this is a great news! It’s a blessing for our Qinglin County! Let’s go! Today, let’s take advantage of the County Magistrate’s kindness and have a ready made meal!” The two men dropped their hoes and followed the excited crowd to the village ancestral hall. Sure enough, I saw Muramasa directing several young men to unload white rice, some pickled meat and dried vegetables from the grain carts allocated by the government. Several large pots had been set up nearby, the fire was burning brightly, and several village women were washing rice and vegetables. “This is truly a gift from the county governor!” Zhang Daniu’s eyes moistened as he looked at the rosy white rice and smelled the aroma of meat wafting from the pot. “In my entire life, this is the first time I’ve received such a great honor!” Wang Tiezhu was also filled with emotion, taking a deep drag on his pipe. “Yeah, I never dared to dream of such a good thing before. Only with Lord Lin’s arrival can we, the poor poor, finally be able to truly live like human beings and have hope.” Not only Jiaoshi County, but also Qinglin County, whether it was the prosperous county town or the remote countryside, was immersed in an unprecedented atmosphere of joy on this day. Not only did the government supply sufficient food, but many places also temporarily organized simple performances. Some rural makeshift troupes also spontaneously beat drums and gongs and sang discordant congratulatory songs. Some literate people were surrounded by the people, who told them over and over again the good news that the county magistrate had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, and his benevolent kindness of opening the granaries to distribute grain and sharing happiness with the people. Night falls quietly. “Swoosh—bang!” “Swish, swish, swish—Snap! Snap! Snap!” As the first bunch of fireworks exploded in the sky above the county town, the entire night sky of Qinglin County was instantly lit up by colorful lights! Boxes of fireworks that were usually regarded as treasures were brought out like water and sent into the sky as if they were free. “Set off the fireworks as brightly as you can! The master has given an order! Tonight, set off all the fireworks, without leaving a single one! We must make this day brighter than the New Year’s Day!” Zhang Fuan shouted at his equally excited craftsmen. Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple, fireworks of various colors bloomed in the dark blue sky. Some are like flowers scattered by fairies, swaying colorfully and shedding thousands of golden lights; some are like golden dragons swinging their tails, dragging long fireworks soaring straight up, magnificent; some turn into star showers all over the sky, dazzling and sparkling, causing the crowd on the ground to exclaim in surprise. The deafening sound of firecrackers rose one after another, from the county town to the countryside, echoing in the valleys, pushing the joyful atmosphere of universal celebration to the extreme. In the threshing ground at the entrance of Wangjia Village in Jiaoshi County, Wang Tiezhu’s family, young and old, as well as Zhang Daniu’s family, all stretched their necks and opened their mouths wide, staring in a trance at the magnificent scene in the sky that they had never seen before. They knew that this was a happy event for the county magistrate, and that the magistrate was sharing this joy with them. “Dad, Mom, look! It’s so beautiful! It’s ten thousand times more beautiful than those sporadic firecrackers that our family set off during the Chinese New Year!” Wang Gousheng’s face turned red with excitement. He pointed at a huge peony firework exploding in the sky and shouted excitedly, but his voice was soon drowned out by the louder explosion. Wang Tiezhu took a puff of his pipe, the sparks flickering in the bowl, but his eyes gleamed with a strange brilliance. He nodded solemnly, “Yes, the county magistrate is very capable and blessed, and we ordinary people are also benefiting from it. Such a good life, I never dared to dream of it before.” Zhang Daniu grinned and nodded, feeling deeply moved. “Who says it’s not true? We used to have no idea where we’d get our next meal, living in fear year round. Now, not only can we eat and wear warm clothes, but our children can go to school, and when our parents have such a big celebration, we can even watch such a lively fireworks display!” In the hearts of countless people, Lin Xiao’s image was once again infinitely elevated at this moment, almost no different from a god. He was not only a county governor who brought high yield crops and a stable life, but also a benevolent ruler who shared joy with the people and cared about the people! This kindness and joy will be forever engraved in their hearts. Chapter 309: Stable and Perfect County Magistrate’s Mansion, backyard. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the city, there is a rare tranquility here at this moment. Lin Xiao sat in the rocking chair in the outer courtyard, rocking gently. Unlike his usual leisurely pace, today he held two babies, one on his left and one on his right, each wrapped tightly in soft swaddling clothes. The one on the left is daughter Lin Xin, and the one on the right is son Lin Rui. Lin Xin’s little face was as delicate as a piece of jade, her small mouth was slightly pouting, and she would occasionally smack her lips in satisfaction. Her long and curled eyelashes covered her eyelids, casting a small and lovely fan shaped shadow. Lin Rui looked tougher, his small fists clenched tightly in front of his chest, his breathing even and powerful, with a natural heroic air faintly visible between his brows. Lin Xiao lowered his head and stared at them, his eyes so gentle that they seemed to be able to melt water. This is his child. It truly belongs to his bloodline. This is the first time in his two lifetimes that he has a child of his own. This feeling is novel and profound, far more shocking and satisfying than when he first obtained the system or conquered Qinglin County. He also discovered that these two children seemed to be much stronger than ordinary newborn babies. When born, the baby cries loudly and loudly, and the skin is rosy and shiny. He felt a slight movement in his heart, thinking that it must be the effect of Xiao Huan Dan. Thinking of this, Lin Xiao was even happier. The children’s health was more important than anything else. He had a smile on his lips and was humming a tuneless tune. The rocking chair made a soft “creaking” sound, which seemed particularly peaceful and warm against the backdrop of the sounds of fireworks in the distance. The door of the delivery room was pushed open with a creaky sound. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong walked out slowly with the careful support of the Yan sisters. They have changed into clean and comfortable clothes. Although the fatigue from childbirth has not completely subsided and their faces are a little pale, they are extremely energetic. Their faces are filled with the happy aura of being a new mother, and their whole bodies seem to be glowing. “Husband.” “Husband.” When the two sisters saw Lin Xiao holding the children in his arms, their eyes fell on the two little figures, and their eyes were instantly filled with maternal tenderness. “Why don’t you lie down and rest for a while? It’s windy outside.” Seeing this, Lin Xiao quickly got up. “The room is a bit stuffy, so I came out to get some fresh air. I also want to see the children earlier.” Yan Ruoxi said, gently and carefully taking her daughter Lin Xin from Lin Xiao’s arms. Yan Ruotong also took her son Lin Rui with eyes full of love. The two sisters each held their own child, lowered their heads, and looked carefully at the tender little faces, with the corners of their mouths unconsciously raised high, overflowing with happiness. “Xin’er is so good, she sleeps so soundly.” Yan Ruoxi gently rubbed her daughter’s warm little forehead with her cheek, her voice so soft that it could squeeze water out of her. “Rui’er’s little fist is so strong. He will definitely be a strong man in the future.” Yan Ruotong smiled and stretched out her fingers to gently touch her son’s clenched little hand. After a while, the two little guys seemed to smell the familiar milk scent of their mother and began to squirm restlessly, their little mouths arching here and there and making soft humming sounds. “Oh, it seems that the young masters are hungry.” Yan Jing saw this and said with a smile. Upon hearing this, Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong’s pretty faces both blushed slightly. They looked at each other, carried the child to the soft couch that had been laid out in the corner of the yard, sat down, turned sideways, unbuttoned their clothes with a little shyness, and began to feed the child. Lin Xiao stood not far away, watching the scene quietly, with a soft heart. The lanterns in the corridor emitted a warm light, and the fireworks exploding in the distant night sky occasionally illuminated their gentle profiles. The scene was sacred and beautiful. The two little guys sucked contentedly, making a slight “gulp gulp” sound in their throats. After feeding the two little ancestors, Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong carefully burped them. The little guys yawned a little and fell asleep contentedly again. Lin Xiao then walked forward with a smile, his eyes vaguely sweeping over the sisters’ breasts, which had become more plump due to breastfeeding. With a hint of mischievous smile, he joked, “Seeing how Xin’er and Rui’er are eating so happily, I’m feeling a little thirsty too.” “Pfft!” Yan Ruoxi couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her cheeks instantly flushed with two charming blushes. She spat at him softly: “Husband, you are becoming more and more unruly! The children are still here!” Yan Ruotong’s cheeks flushed as she glanced at him angrily. She lowered her head and gently patted the sleeping Rui’er in her arms, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly, with a hint of sweet shame. Even after becoming a father, he still has such a frivolous character. Lin Xiao laughed and stopped teasing them, knowing that they had just given birth and were still weak and needed to rest well. “The fireworks outside are so lively, let’s go and take a look.” Lin Xiao suggested softly. “Okay.” Upon hearing this, the two sisters showed some interest in their eyes. Lin Xiao ordered his servants to clean the large recliner in the yard and bring in a few soft and thick blankets. He lay down comfortably first, then Yan Ruoxi held Lin Xin, and Yan Ruotong held Lin Rui, one on the left and one on the right, snuggling up to him affectionately, resting their heads gently on his shoulders. The family of five lay quietly in the moonlit courtyard, gazing at the gorgeous fireworks blooming one after another in the night sky. “Husband, you are so beautiful…” Yan Ruoxi murmured softly, rubbing her head in Lin Xiao’s shoulder, like a lazy and satisfied kitten. “Yeah, beautiful.” Lin Xiao responded, gently putting his arms around their shoulders and holding his wife and two children gently in his arms. Yan Ruotong turned her head and stared at Lin Xiao’s profile, which looked even more resolute and handsome under the light and shadow of the fireworks. She then looked down at her son who was sleeping soundly in her arms, her heart filled with unprecedented peace and sweetness. At this moment, there is no turmoil in the world, no covetousness of the enemy, only the warmth of home and the endless joy and hope brought by new life. Chapter 310 New Gun Capital city, Hall of Supreme Harmony. Compared with the deafening firecrackers and fireworks that shot into the sky in Qinglin County, the atmosphere here seemed particularly solemn, even a bit depressing. At the morning court session, a dusty messenger knelt before the emperor and reported the news from Qinglin County. “…The traitor Lin Xiao recently welcomed twins, a boy and a girl. He subsequently ordered the county’s granaries to be opened for a day to distribute grain, celebrating with the people. Countless fireworks and firecrackers were set off that night, the sound resounding for a hundred miles…” As the messenger finished speaking, the court fell silent. Many ministers looked at each other, each with their own thoughts. Open the granaries, release the grain, and share the joy with the people? This Lin County Magistrate’s methods of winning people’s hearts are becoming more and more sophisticated. Moreover, those fireworks and firecrackers, I heard they cost a huge amount, how could he be so wasteful? The young emperor Li Yan, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was playing with a small, freshly polished red sandalwood seal out of boredom. When he heard the report, he didn’t even raise his eyelids, but just curled his lips with a hint of contempt. “Humph, a peasant is a peasant. Even if they have a child, they have to make a fuss about it to the whole city. How vulgar.” He made a nonchalant comment, then lowered his head to look at the wooden seal in his hand. It seemed that the patterns on it were far more intriguing to him than the family affairs of a county governor. “This little thing is worth bringing to the court? Next.” Zhou Mubai, standing at the head of all officials, had white hair and beard, and he lowered his head slightly. Lin Xiao’s move seemed to be a celebration of family affairs, but in fact it was to further consolidate his popularity in Qinglin County. The fireworks that shot up into the sky were more a declaration of his power and influence to the world than a celebration. Unfortunately, His Majesty seemed completely unaware of this. Zhou Mubai sighed inwardly, but could only suppress his worries in his heart. The emperor was obsessed with strange and tricky things, and always had a deep rooted prejudice and contempt for this rapidly rising governor of a border county. There was no point in saying more. Time flies, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye. Qinglin County had long since returned to its former bustle and order, but the grand event celebrated by the entire county had become a topic of discussion among the people. During this time, Lin Xiao practically became a full time dad. He turned down most of the less important official duties, and his greatest joy every day was staying by the cradle, watching over the two little ones, Lin Xin and Lin Rui. The backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion has now become the most lively place. “Oh, Xin’er peed again! Husband, please send me a diaper!” Yan Ruoxi’s voice sounded with a hint of panic. “Here it comes!” Lin Xiao frantically picked up the neatly folded soft cotton diaper next to him and moved it to the cradle. Little Lin Xin seemed very unhappy about being disturbed in her sweet dream. Her little mouth pursed, and she was about to burst into tears. “My dear daughter, don’t cry, don’t cry. Daddy will change your diaper.” Lin Xiao changed his daughter’s diaper clumsily but carefully, his movements full of the awkwardness and tenderness of a first time father. In another cradle next to him, little Lin Rui was sleeping soundly, his little fists still clenched tightly, and he occasionally smacked his lips, as if he was having a sweet dream. Yan Ruotong sat nearby, sewing clothes for the children with a needle and thread in hand. A gentle smile played on her face as she watched her husband frantically work. Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on her tranquil face, radiating a maternal glow. Watching the two delicate little ones grow up day by day, Lin Xiao’s heart was filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. This peaceful and warm life was exactly what he had always hoped for. Affairs within the territory were also progressing steadily. Cement roads had been laid to more distant towns, new farm tools were being distributed, and water conservancy facilities were gradually being improved. Factories and workshops across the region were operating at full capacity, and the entire Qinglin County was brimming with vitality. That afternoon, Lin Xiao had just coaxed his two little ancestors to sleep and was sitting on a rattan chair in the yard, enjoying the rare leisure time. Zhang Fuan hurried in, his face flushed with ruddy glow. Even before he arrived, he called out, “Sir! Sir! Good news! Terrible news!” “Fuan, what are you so happy about?” Lin Xiao raised his head and saw Zhang Fuan who was so excited that he almost danced with joy. He couldn’t help but become interested. “It’s done! Sir! It’s done!” Zhang Fuan ran to Lin Xiao. His breathing was a little uneven due to his haste, but he didn’t care. He slapped his thigh and said excitedly, “That new gun you asked us to think about before… what was it called… yes! The percussion cap gun! We successfully trial produced it! I just tested it, and it’s much better than the original flintlock rifle!” “What?!” Lin Xiao stood up suddenly after hearing this, his face instantly filled with surprise, “Did it really work?” “Absolutely true!” Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “I saw the test firing with my own eyes! The ignition was fast and accurate, even on rainy days! Reloading is much faster too!” “Great! Excellent!” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but pump his fist vigorously. Percussion cap gun! This is a major invention in the history of firearms! Its appearance means that the reliability and firing rate of muskets will have a qualitative leap! “Let’s go! Take me to see it!” Lin Xiao said immediately, and then ordered the guards beside him, “Go quickly! Call Sun Mingde and Wang Jian over to me! Have them go to the weapons testing ground immediately!” “Yes!” The guard took the order and ran away. Lin Xiao handed the child to the Yan sisters who rushed over after hearing the news, gave them a few instructions, and then followed Zhang Fuan, striding towards the weapons testing ground outside the city. Along the way, Lin Xiao was extremely excited. Although the flintlock rifle gave him the capital to crush other armies of this era, Lin Xiao was well aware of its limitations. The ignition of a flintlock rifle relies on the flint striking the flint to produce sparks, which ignite the gunpowder in the gunpowder pool, and then ignite the propellant in the barrel through the ignition hole. This process is relatively cumbersome, and the success rate is greatly affected by the weather. Especially on humid or rainy days, the gunpowder in the gunpowder pool is easily damp, which greatly increases the misfire rate. On the battlefield, every misfire can be fatal. Moreover, the loading steps of the flintlock rifle are relatively complicated. First, you need to clean the barrel, pour in propellant, stuff in bullets and paper, compact them, and then carefully pour ignition powder into the gunpowder pool and cover the gunpowder pool… It takes a long time for a skilled soldier to complete the whole process. But percussion cap guns are completely different! It uses a copper percussion cap containing explosive, which is installed on the firing port at the rear of the barrel. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer hits the primer violently, detonating substances such as fulminate of mercury inside it. The resulting flame directly passes through the firing port to ignite the propellant in the barrel. This closed type ignition principle greatly enhances its adaptability to the environment. Whether it is a humid rainy day or a windy and sandy environment, as long as the primer itself is not damaged, reliable firing can be guaranteed. The misfire rate will be reduced exponentially! This alone is enough to raise the army’s combat effectiveness to a higher level. Secondly, it is the convenience and speed of shooting preparation. Before firing a flintlock rifle, one needs to open the powder reservoir cover, pour in the primer, and then close the cover. This series of operations is not only cumbersome, but also prone to errors in tense battles. For a percussion cap gun, you only need to put a small percussion cap on the firing port. The action is simple and quick, which can effectively shorten the shooting interval and increase the firepower density. Furthermore, impact ignition is faster and more direct, allowing the propellant in the barrel to burn more completely. In theory, it can slightly increase the initial velocity and power of the bullet, and the accuracy will also be improved. It can be said that the transition from flintlock rifles to percussion cap rifles was a qualitative leap in the history of firearm development! It marked the true beginning of the maturity and reliability of firearms. With this weapon, the combat effectiveness of Lin Xiao’s army will once again soar to a whole new level! Thinking of this, Lin Xiao’s pace couldn’t help but quicken a bit, his heart full of anticipation for the new weapon. Chapter 311 Experiment Lin Xiao and Zhang Fuan walked very fast and soon arrived at the weapons testing ground. Just as he had gained his footing, he heard the sound of hurried horse hooves behind him. Sun Mingde and Wang Jian rode up together, dismounted, and their faces also showed uncontrollable excitement. “Brother Xiao!” “grown ups!” Sun Mingde has a loud voice, while Wang Jian is calmer, but the eagerness in their eyes is exactly the same. “Everyone is here, just in time.” Lin Xiao nodded and looked towards the center of the testing ground. There, several craftsmen from the weapons workshop and several veterans from the guard were surrounding a musket with a slightly different shape. “Brother Xiao, look!” Zhang Fuan pointed at the gun as if presenting a treasure, “This is the newly developed percussion cap gun!” Lin Xiao walked forward and picked up the gun. From the appearance, the biggest difference between it and the previous flintlock is the firing structure. The original anvil and flint that were curved like goose necks disappeared, replaced by a simpler hammer. Above the flash port at the rear of the barrel, there was a small “fire platform” on which the copper cap could be placed. “Try a test fire.” Lin Xiao said in a deep voice. An old soldier stepped forward and began loading the gun with swift movements. I saw him pour the paper shell bullets into the muzzle of the gun first and then compact them with a cleaning rod. Then he took out a yellow copper percussion cap the size of a fingernail from the small leather bag at his waist and gently placed it on the fire stand. With a “click”, he cocked the hammer. The entire process is significantly faster than operating a flintlock rifle, as it requires fewer steps, such as pouring ignition powder into the gunpowder pool and covering the flint. The veteran raised his gun and aimed at the wooden target fifty paces away. Everyone on the sidelines held their breath. “Bang!” There was a crack, duller and shorter than a flintlock rifle! A puff of white smoke blew out of the muzzle. Almost at the same time as the gunshot, a ball of sawdust exploded in the center of the wooden target! “Hit!” “good!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian couldn’t help cheering. “Come again!” Lin Xiao ordered. The old soldier quickly repeated the reloading action, another shot was fired, and it hit the target again! Next, in order to test its performance under harsh conditions, Zhang Fuan specially asked someone to bring a basin of water, soaked several primers for a while, took them out, shook them, and installed them on the gun. “Bang!” Still a crisp and clean firing! “Oh my goodness!” Sun Mingde’s eyes almost popped out of his head. “This… you’re not afraid of rainy days anymore!” One of the biggest drawbacks of flintlock rifles is that they are afraid of moisture. Once the gunpowder gets damp, it will most likely misfire. But this percussion cap gun is directly detonated by the gunpowder in the copper cap and is minimally affected by the weather. Lin Xiao took the gun and started firing it himself. He loaded it, put on the percussion cap, cocked the hammer, aimed, and pulled the trigger. “Bang!” A familiar recoil was felt, and the smoke from the muzzle seemed even thicker than that from a flintlock rifle. The bullet whizzed out and hit the bull’s eye accurately. He could clearly feel that there was almost no delay between pulling the trigger and the bullet being fired, which was much faster than the “click puff bang” process of a flintlock rifle. “Good gun!” Lin Xiao praised and handed the gun to Sun Mingde. Sun Mingde couldn’t wait to take it over and started to operate it just like the veteran had done. He was already an expert in the army and was familiar with firearms, so he quickly mastered the techniques. “Bang! Bang! Bang!” Sun Mingde fired three shots in quick succession. He put down his gun, his face flushed, and rubbed his hands excitedly: “Brother Xiao! This thing… is like giving our soldiers wings! It reloads quickly, shoots accurately, and is not afraid of wind and rain! If this is equipped to the army, the combat effectiveness will at least double!” Wang Jian also test fired a few shots and was equally full of praise. He was a calm man, but at this moment, he could hardly hide his excitement: “Sir, this gun is indeed much better than the flintlock. Especially the firing speed, it is fast and stable. Brothers, we will have a better chance of success on the battlefield.” Zhang Fuan grinned at the side. As the person in charge of supervision, he felt honored to receive such high praise from Lin Xiao and Sun Mingde. “Fuan, your weapons workshop has done a great job this time.” Lin Xiao patted Zhang Fuan on the shoulder. “We need to improve the process of this percussion cap rifle as soon as possible. Save materials wherever possible and simplify wherever possible. We must reduce costs while ensuring quality, and then fully expand production.” “Yes! Don’t worry, Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan straightened his chest, “I guarantee to complete the task!” “However,” Lin Xiao changed the subject, “this isn’t the end. We need to continue researching to see if we can further increase the rate of fire, such as by breech loading the rifle, or researching more powerful gunpowder.” “Breeche loading?” Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde were both stunned. This concept was still unfamiliar to them. Lin Xiao smiled and didn’t explain too much. He just said, “Take it slow, one step at a time. By the way, Fu An, how’s the progress on the cannon I asked you to research?” Speaking of cannons, Zhang Fuan’s smile widened. “Brother Xiao, you’re right, we’ve actually figured it out! We’ve adjusted the material ratio of the barrel several times, and the casting process has also improved a lot. A few days ago, I tried to cast a small bronze cannon barrel according to the new blueprint you gave me. Although I haven’t conducted a live fire test yet, the strength of the barrel and the smoothness of the inner wall are much better than before! I guess it won’t be long before we can make a big breakthrough! “Okay! Then I’ll wait for your good news!” Lin Xiao was overjoyed when he heard that. The flintlock and percussion cap rifles changed the way infantry fought, but the cannon was the national weapon that could truly change the pattern of war. He turned to Sun Mingde and Wang Jian and said, “Mingde, Wang Jian, we must not slack off on military training. We must keep up with the recruitment of new soldiers and the rotation of veterans, and enforce strict military discipline. Especially after these new rifles are deployed, we must quickly develop the relevant tactical manuals. We can’t just stick with the old ways anymore.” “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao!” Sun Mingde said solemnly, “Wang Jian and I have been keeping an eye on the daily training of the Qinglin Guards and the county soldiers. As soon as the new guns are equipped, we will immediately organize personnel to study new formations and shooting tactics. We will definitely not let you down!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction, looking at these hardworking backbones in front of him, his heart filled with hope. The future of Qinglin County lies in the hands of these people. After explaining the situation, the sky gradually darkened. Lin Xiao was thinking about the two little ones at home, so he didn’t stay any longer: “Okay, you guys continue with your work, I’m going back first.” “Brother Xiao, take care!” “Sir, take care!” Everyone bid him farewell. Lin Xiao waved his hand and turned to walk towards the County Magistrate’s Mansion. Chapter 312: Beauty in Arms Return to the county magistrate’s office. As soon as Lin Xiao stepped into the backyard, he smelled a faint floral fragrance. In a corner of the garden, a graceful figure was carrying a small copper kettle, carefully watering several pots of newly opened autumn chrysanthemums. It was Liu Ruyan. She was wearing a lavender fitted long dress today. The hem of the dress swayed slightly with her movements, outlining her charming curves. Her black hair was simply tied into a bun, with a few playful strands hanging around her neck, shining softly in the setting sun. She leaned slightly to the side, revealing her snow white, delicate neck and her focused and gentle profile. That slender waist could not be completely concealed even by a loose dress. As she bent and straightened her body, she looked even more graceful and charming. Lin Xiao’s heart was moved, and he couldn’t help but lighten his steps. Like a cheetah, he quietly went behind her. Liu Ruyan was concentrating on the flowers and plants in front of her and didn’t notice it at all. Lin Xiao grinned evilly, suddenly stretched out his arms, and hugged her from behind. He rested his chin lightly on her shoulders and took a deep breath of the fragrance of her hair. “Ah!” Liu Ruyan was caught off guard and was frightened by the sudden attack. The kettle in her hand fell to the ground with a clang, spilling water everywhere. She screamed, her body trembling violently. Just as she was about to struggle, she smelled a masculine scent that couldn’t be more familiar. “It’s me.” Lin Xiao’s low and laughing voice sounded in her ears. Liu Ruyan finally reacted, her heart pounding, her face flushed instantly. She hit Lin Xiao lightly in annoyance, “How come you walk without making any sound? You scared me to death!” Lin Xiao chuckled and tightened his arms around her, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, and his heart felt even hotter. His hands also became a little dishonest, gently rubbing her waist. Liu Ruyan was made weak all over by him, and her cheeks were so red that they were about to bleed. She gently pushed Lin Xiao, her voice as thin as a mosquito: “Don’t… don’t be like this, today… today is a little inconvenient.” “Hmm?” Lin Xiao paused and looked at her with some confusion. Liu Ruyan’s face turned even redder. She lowered her head slightly and whispered, “It’s…it’s those days of the month when women…” Lin Xiao was stunned when he heard this, then he understood, and the flame that had just ignited in his heart was immediately extinguished. He felt helpless, but he also knew that this kind of thing couldn’t be forced, so he could only kiss her on the cheek and let go of her hand, with a barely perceptible regret in his tone: “I see, that’s the case. Then you should have a good rest.” Liu Ruyan sensed the disappointment in his tone and felt a little guilty, but she was indeed feeling unwell. She picked up the kettle on the ground, her cheeks still flushed, and said softly: “I…I’ll prepare some snacks for you?” “No need to bother.” Lin Xiao waved his hand. The anger in his heart was aroused, and he felt uncomfortable. He casually asked, “Where’s Xue Yi? Where is she?” Liu Ruyan said, “Sister Pei went back to her parents’ home early this morning to visit her family. She said her mother missed her and she might not be back for two days.” “Going back to your mother’s home?” Lin Xiao was even more helpless. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong had just given birth and had not fully recovered yet. Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang, and Zhang Wanqing were also pregnant and needed careful care, so he naturally would not disturb them. For a moment, Lin Xiao found himself in the dilemma of “no one available”. He smiled bitterly, what a happy trouble. “If you’re really feeling uncomfortable, why don’t you… take a cold shower?” Liu Ruyan looked at his slightly depressed expression and suggested with a bit of heartache and a bit of amusement. “That’s all we can do.” Lin Xiao nodded and patted Liu Ruyan’s hand. “You go ahead and do your work. I’ll be right back.” Having said that, he turned and walked towards his bedroom, ready to use the most primitive method to calm down. The cold well water poured down from above his head, causing Lin Xiao to shiver. He closed his eyes and let the cool water wash over his body, trying to suppress the inexplicable heat. However, after washing, the body felt much refreshed, but the restlessness coming from deep inside the body still lingered stubbornly, with no sign of receding. “It’s strange, why am I so angry today?” Lin Xiao shook off the water droplets on his head and grabbed a clean cotton towel to wipe his body. He wrapped a bath towel around himself and was about to walk out of the bathroom when he heard what seemed to be light footsteps outside. He frowned slightly, pushed open the door of the bathroom, and wanted to see who it was. As soon as the door opened, Lin Xiao was stunned. I saw that the candles in the bedroom were already lit. Under the soft candlelight, the two sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu were standing in the middle of the room, feeling a little uneasy. What stunned Lin Xiao was what the two sisters were wearing at the moment. On weekdays, these two little girls always wore simple cotton clothes, had simple buns on their hair, and looked well behaved and sensible. But at this moment, they were wearing light gauze clothes that had never been seen on ordinary days, which was completely different from their usual attire. My elder sister Yan Jing was wearing a light pink gauze dress. The gauze was extremely thin, and in the candlelight, one could faintly see the girl’s delicate curves, as well as the small dress of the same color underneath. The younger sister Yan Susu was wearing a goose yellow dress, similar in style to her older sister. This kind of gauze dress is not completely transparent, but it is much bolder than ordinary clothes, with a hazy temptation. The clothes seemed to be tailored to fit closely, showing off their slender waists and bulging breasts perfectly. Their hair styles are also different from usual ones. They are no longer simple buns, but are tied loosely behind their heads with ribbons of the same color. A few strands of naturally curly hair hang down, resting on their smooth shoulders and delicate necks, adding a bit of charm and elegance that is rarely seen in daily life. Under the candlelight, the two little girls’ already fair skin, set off by such light colored gauze clothes, looked even more delicate and tender, as if water could be squeezed out of it. Lin Xiao felt that the anger that had just been suppressed by the cold water suddenly jumped up again, and it was burning even more fiercely than before. The two little girls obviously noticed Lin Xiao’s gaze. They lowered their heads tightly, their cheeks as red as ripe apples , and even their ears turned pink. Her hands were nervously twisting the corners of her clothes, and her body was trembling slightly, as if she was both shy and afraid. “You guys…” Lin Xiao’s throat was dry and his voice was a little hoarse, “Why are you dressed like this?” Hearing Lin Xiao’s question, Yan Jing, as the elder sister, mustered up the courage to raise her head a little, but still couldn’t meet Lin Xiao’s gaze. She spoke softly, “It’s…it’s Madam Ruyan…she asked us to change into this and said…said that the young master is back and asked us…said that we should come and serve you…” Yan Susu was even more shy, her little head drooped even lower, almost buried in her chest, and her hands gripped her sister’s sleeves even tighter. “Ruyan?” Lin Xiao was stunned at first when he heard that, but then he understood and a hint of laughter and tears appeared on the corner of his mouth. This girl Liu Ruyan is really… considerate. I was just worrying about having no place to vent my sexual desires, and now she has arranged something for me. Looking at the timid and ready little beauty in front of him, Lin Xiao felt a warm current rushing to his head. He no longer hesitated, strode forward, stretched out his arms, and easily picked up the little girl by the waist. “Ah! Master!” Yan Jing let out a low cry of surprise, and subconsciously stretched out her little hands to hug Lin Xiao’s neck, fearing that she would fall. The girl’s soft body pressed tightly against Lin Xiao’s naked upper body. The warmth and fragrance instantly made the fire in Lin Xiao’s body erupt completely. He walked quickly towards the bed. Chapter 313 An unexpected surprise When Lin Xiao finished, it was already bright outside. In the bedroom, sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu were already fast asleep, with tears still lingering in the corners of their eyes. Lin Xiao leaned against the head of the bed, looking at their innocent sleeping faces, feeling a bit of pity in his heart. [Ding! Yan Jing’s favorability increased by +4, currently at 19 points.] [Ding! Yan Susu’s favorability increased by +5, currently at 21 points.] [Congratulations to the host, Yan Susu’s favorability has exceeded 20 points, and you have obtained a chance to draw a lottery.] The system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. It’s time to draw the lottery again, great! Lin Xiao thought to himself, “Draw the lottery!” [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining ten Xiao Huan Dan pills.] Ten small pills! Lin Xiao was delighted. This was a good thing. It could not only strengthen the body, but also improve physical fitness. The benefits it brought to the fetuses in Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong’s belly last time were obvious. The quantity this time is quite large, so it can be used to replenish everyone. He stood up quietly, trying not to disturb the two little girls. Even so, Yan Jing and Yan Susu were awakened by the slightest movement. They opened their eyes almost at the same time, and seeing that Lin Xiao had stood up, they hurriedly struggled to sit up. “Young Master…” “Master, we…we will help you change your clothes.” Both of their voices were hoarse from being exposed to the rain and dew, their faces were still flushed, and there was a hint of dependence in their eyes. “Don’t move, just rest.” Lin Xiao held their shoulders and said gently, “You’ve been tired for so long, there’s no need to get up.” The two little girls felt the warmth of Lin Xiao’s palm, and their hearts warmed. They nodded obediently and lay back down, but their eyes still followed Lin Xiao’s figure. Lin Xiao put on his clothes, tucked in the corners of the quilt for them, and then turned and left. Come to the front yard. The two sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were sitting in the corridor, each holding a swaddled baby in her arms and teasing the newborn baby. Zhang Wanqing and Aunt Wang were also there, with smiles on their faces, chatting from time to time. Mrs. Lin was helping to watch from the side. The atmosphere was very warm as several women gathered together. Seeing Lin Xiao coming out from the backyard, several girls looked over at him with subtle expressions. Yan Ruoxi was the most lively. She blinked and asked with a smile, “Husband, did you sleep well last night? How were those two little girls, Yan Jing and Su Su?” When she said this, Yan Ruotong and Zhang Wanqing couldn’t help but blush. They glared at her in reproach, but also looked at Lin Xiao with a hint of curiosity. Aunt Wang lowered her head and smiled. Lin Xiao felt helpless when they looked at him, and touched his nose: “You guys just like to tease me.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Well, I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll cook a big meal for you. Call Uncle Dequan, Fuan, Mingde and the others over tonight so we can have some fun together.” “Wow! My husband is going to cook for me?” Yan Ruoxi’s eyes lit up and she cheered, “That’s great! I haven’t eaten my husband’s cooking in a long time!” The other girls also looked expectant. Lin Xiao’s cooking skills were universally recognized as delicious, and every time he cooked, he could leave people with an unforgettable aftertaste. Lin Xiao did what he said and went straight to the kitchen. Before long, tempting aroma wafted from the kitchen. The braised pork is fat but not greasy, with a bright red color; the steamed fish is tender and smooth, with a clear soup; there are also several seasonal vegetables, which are green and juicy, making people’s mouths water at the sight. Then, Lin Xiao took out the Xiao Huan Dan. The pill melted in his mouth. He crushed it into powder and blended it into the broth of different dishes. After doing all this, he clapped his hands in satisfaction. In the evening, the meals were served on the table one by one. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and others were also invited. Nini also followed Aunt Wang, and her eyes sparkled when she saw Lin Xiao. “Brother Xiao!” “grown ups!” Everyone saluted with smiles on their faces. “Everyone is here, come and sit down!” Lin Xiao greeted them warmly, “I made some home cooked dishes today.” The table is full of delicious dishes, the aroma is so fragrant that it makes people salivate just by looking at them. “Oh my, this is such a feast!” Li Dequan looked at the table full of dishes, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s been a while since I’ve tasted Brother Lin Xiao’s cooking. I miss it so much.” Sun Mingde was even more direct. He picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of braised pork, putting it into his mouth, praising it incoherently: “Delicious! So delicious! Brother Xiao’s cooking skills are amazing!” Everyone started eating with their chopsticks, wolfing down the food without even talking. The only sounds left were chewing and swallowing, and the sounds of praise rising one after another. The dishes cooked by Lin Xiao were always delicious, and today they seemed to be especially delicious, making them unable to put their chopsticks down. After eating and drinking their fill, everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks, their faces flushed with satisfaction. At this moment, something strange happened. “Huh? Why…why do I feel a little hot?” Sun Mingde touched his forehead, a little confused. “Me too. I feel warm all over, just like soaking in a hot spring.” Wang Jian also said. Li Dequan was even more surprised. He felt a warm current rising from his dantian and quickly spreading to his limbs and bones. His originally dizzy head became much clearer at this moment. He subconsciously touched his hair and it felt thicker than before. “Oh my God! Uncle Dequan, your hair!” Nini, with sharp eyes, pointed at the top of Li Dequan’s head and exclaimed in surprise. When everyone heard the sound and looked, they saw that a lot of black hair had actually grown among Li Dequan’s gray hair. Although there were still some white strands mixed in, it was obviously much darker and shinier than before! “This…what’s going on?” Li Dequan was also confused. He quickly found a bronze mirror and looked at himself. He was stunned and his hands were shaking. Sun Mingde also felt the changes in his body. He felt full of strength and seemed to have endless energy. He saw a mahogany armchair for entertaining guests placed next to him. The chair was quite heavy and he had difficulty lifting it with one hand before. At this moment, he had an idea, walked over, stretched out a hand to grab the back of the chair, and exerted a little force. “rise!” He lifted the heavy mahogany armchair above his head with ease with one hand! “Wow!” Everyone present was stunned, their mouths wide open, their faces filled with disbelief. “Brother Mingde, how…how did you become so strong?” Wang Jian asked stutteringly. He also tried to lift the chair next to him, but it took both hands. Sun Mingde himself was stunned. He put down the chair and tried to swing his fist again. He felt very powerful, much stronger than usual. “I…I don’t know either! I just feel like I’m full of energy!” Sun Mingde scratched his head, his face full of surprise and confusion. Zhang Fuan and others also felt changes in their bodies. Some felt energetic and clear minded, while others felt sharper ears and eyes and could even catch subtle sounds from a distance. Although it was not as obvious as Li Dequan and Sun Mingde, they also felt the benefits for sure. They looked at each other and saw disbelief in each other’s eyes. “Sir, what kind of panacea is this?” Zhang Fuan couldn’t help but ask, his eyes full of awe. Everyone’s eyes finally focused on Lin Xiao. Although they didn’t know what exactly happened, they knew it was definitely related to the meal Lin Xiao made today! Chapter 314 I Want It Too Lin Xiao looked at the expressions of the crowd, some shocked, some bewildered, and some ecstatic. He smiled slightly, picked up the teacup and took a sip before speaking slowly: “Don’t panic, everyone. I put some good things I got by chance into today’s meal. They can strengthen your body and improve your physical condition. You are all my loyal subjects in Qinglin County, toiling day and night. Your health is your foundation, so you must not let it collapse.” He spoke lightly, as if it was just a trivial thing. But to Li Dequan, Song Qinghe and others, it was no less than a blessing from heaven! It can turn white hair into black and increase strength dramatically. This is not a “good thing” at all, it is clearly a magic pill! Sun Mingde knelt down with a thud, his voice choked with emotion: “Brother Xiao! You… your kindness, I… I will never be able to repay you in this lifetime!” He was a rough man to begin with, and at this moment he didn’t know how to express his inner gratitude. He only knew that Lin Xiao was very good to him, very good! “Your Excellency, we are deeply grateful for your kindness!” Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan, and Wang Jian also knelt down together, their expressions solemn, with undisguised gratitude and awe in their eyes. They followed Lin Xiao in order to realize their ambitions or to live a good life. However, they did not expect that Lin Xiao not only led them to create one miracle after another, but now he even used this magical method to benefit themselves. Li Dequan was also in tears. He knelt down and said in a hoarse voice: “Brother Lin Xiao… this old man… I…” He had lived for most of his life and never thought that his old bones could have a second life. “Uncle Dequan, everyone, please stand up!” Lin Xiao hurried forward and personally helped Li Dequan and Song Qinghe to their feet. “We’re all family, it’s awkward to say these things. As long as everyone works hard, there will be more good things like this in the future.” Upon hearing this, everyone became even more excited and stood up one after another, their faces filled with irrepressible joy. Nini stood beside Aunt Wang, looking at everyone curiously with her bright big eyes, especially when she saw the new black hair on Li Dequan’s head, her little mouth opened slightly, full of surprise. After everyone calmed down a bit, Lin Xiao smiled and said, “Come on, come on, sit down. The food is getting cold. It’s a good time to eat and chat. Tell me about the recent situation in the county.” Everyone sat down again, and the atmosphere was even warmer and more harmonious than before. Song Qinghe spoke first. He cleared his throat, his face filled with uncontrollable excitement. “Sir, thanks to your great blessing, all affairs in the county are progressing smoothly. It can be said that they are thriving!” He took out an account book and opened it, saying, “First of all, regarding grain, all the government grain from the autumn harvest has been deposited into the warehouse, totaling 3.15 million dan. Together with the grain reserves from various places, as well as miscellaneous grains such as sweet potatoes and potatoes, there is enough food for the military and civilians in the entire county for more than three years. Planning for newly reclaimed farmland has also been completed across the country, and it is expected that by next year’s spring plowing season, the total amount of fertile farmland will exceed eight million mu! “In terms of population, since accepting refugees, the county’s registered population has reached over 1.8 million. The newly resettled people are in a stable mood and are actively participating in the ‘work for relief’ program and various production activities. The young and strong labor force has greatly supplemented the needs of various industries.” Li Dequan also added with a smile: “Yes, Brother Lin Xiao, right now, every village and town is short of manpower! Whether it’s road construction, canal digging, or workshop recruitment, the people are rushing to do it, fearing that they will fall behind. Everyone knows that only by following you can they have a good life!” Zhang Fuan also reported on the industrial situation: “Sir, the glass factory is still our largest source of income. In the past two months, the net profit has reached 2.2 million taels. The number of “Fu’an Spinning Machines” in the textile factory has increased to 800, and the dyeing workshop has also been expanded. The various cloths produced not only meet the needs of the county, but also have considerable profits from export, with a monthly income of nearly 500,000 taels. Steel mills and cement plants are also continuing to expand production. The smelting of new steel materials and the promotion of cement use provide solid support for various construction projects.” Sun Mingde grinned and said in a loud voice, “Brother Xiao, the army’s training has been very effective. We are now strong and can be deployed to fight tough battles at any time!” Wang Jian also nodded and said, “Sir, the 50,000 recruits in the new recruit camp have completed their initial training and can be added to the various camps at any time.” Listening to the encouraging data and seeing the heartfelt smiles on everyone’s faces, Lin Xiao felt quite satisfied. “Yes, everyone has done a great job.” Lin Xiao nodded in affirmation, “But we can’t be complacent. Development is endless, and we still have a lot to do. The improvement of the steam engine needs to be accelerated. Once it matures, it will have a revolutionary impact on all walks of life. The military applications of hot air balloons must be explored as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the promotion of basic education must be prioritized, as talent is the key to our future development.” Everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with longing for the future. The banquet lasted until late at night, and everyone dispersed with full of joy and infinite expectations for the future. Aunt Wang, with her pregnant belly already showing, was also preparing to go back and rest. Nini walked over to Aunt Wang and gently stroked her bulging belly, her eyes full of longing and a hint of barely perceptible envy: “Mom, the baby in your belly is so cute.” Lin Xiao also walked over, reached out and gently touched Aunt Wang’s belly, feeling the throbbing of life. Aunt Wang felt the warmth of Lin Xiao’s palm and a gentle smile appeared on her face. She suddenly grabbed Lin Xiao’s hand, gently pulled it, and placed his hand on Nini’s flat belly. “Mom, go back by yourself.” After Aunt Wang said this, she looked at Lin Xiao meaningfully, then turned and slowly left, leaving the space to Lin Xiao and Nini. Only Lin Xiao and Nini were left in the yard. Under the moonlight, Nini’s cheeks instantly turned red, like a ripe apple, so beautiful and tempting. She could clearly feel the warmth of Lin Xiao’s palm through the thin clothes, as if it was about to ignite her. She lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito, with a hint of longing: “Brother Lin Xiao… I… I also want to give birth to a child for you…” Lin Xiao felt the firmness and delicacy of the girl’s skin under his palm, and listened to her bold yet shy confession, his heart couldn’t help but be moved. His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and with a force of his arms, he picked up the shy Nini horizontally. “Ah!” Nini cried out softly. Chapter 315: Armor Breaking and Blooming After finishing, Lin Xiao lowered his head and looked at the clear teeth marks on his chest and arms. The depths of the marks varied, and some even had traces of blood. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Is this girl a puppy? [Ding! Nini’s favorability: 9+8.] [Current Favorability: 17.] [Ding! Nini’s favorability has exceeded 10, and you’ve received a chance to win a prize.] In my mind, the system prompt sounded at the right time. Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows. This girl may be mean spirited but she is actually very sweet inside. “Lottery.” Lin Xiao muttered to himself. The familiar lottery roulette appeared in my mind, flashing and finally freezing. [Ding! Congratulations to the host, you have received a reward: the Spiritual Spring space has doubled in size.] Lin Xiao was delighted and his consciousness sank into the Lingquan space. The scene before him startled him slightly. The space, originally approximately 2,000 square meters, had now expanded by more than double its size, and at a glance, the end was almost invisible. The spiritual spring in the center seemed to have grown a little bigger, and the gurgling spring water was more abundant. The mist was thick and emitted a refreshing and cool breath. The concentration of spiritual energy in the air seemed to have increased a lot. After taking a deep breath, I felt refreshed and an indescribable comfort permeated my limbs. “Not bad, not bad.” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. He was immersed in the joy of upgrading the Spirit Spring Space when he heard a slight movement beside him. Nini’s long eyelashes trembled and she opened her sleepy eyes. The girl’s cheeks were still flushed, and her eyes were hazy. When she saw Lin Xiao, she was stunned at first, and then the memories of last night flooded into her mind. Her eyes became a little cunning, with a hint of provocation. She opened her red lips slightly, and her voice was a little charming: “Brother Lin Xiao… I want more…” Lin Xiao: “…” This girl, has she gotten addicted to it? In the next few days, in addition to handling some necessary official business, Lin Xiao stayed in the mansion most of the time, accompanying several pregnant women and newborn children. Lin Xiao loves these two little guys, Lin Xin and Lin Rui, very much. Whenever he has time, he holds them in his arms and teases them. In addition to accompanying his wife and children, Lin Xiao also took advantage of this time to bring a few craftsmen to upgrade and renovate the simple children’s playground in the backyard. The slope of the original slide has been adjusted to be gentler, higher guardrails have been installed on both sides, and the hay at the bottom of the slide has been replaced with a thicker and softer sand pit to ensure that children are safe when sliding down. The hemp rope of the swing was replaced with a stronger cow tendon rope, the wooden seat was polished to be smoother, and the edges were carefully wrapped with a layer of soft cloth. The fulcrum of the seesaw was also reinforced, and Lin Xiao ingeniously made the seats at both ends into the shape of ponies. In addition, Lin Xiao also had someone build a small climbing frame with sturdy wood. The height is moderate and it is covered with grabbers and pedals of various shapes to train children’s coordination and courage. There is also a small sand pool surrounded by colorful wooden boards next to it, which is filled with clean fine sand. Various small wooden buckets and shovels are prepared for children to play. The entire amusement park has been completely renewed and is full of childlike fun and a sense of safety. It was a sunny afternoon that day. Lin Xiao was sitting in the pavilion next to the amusement park, watching Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, each holding a child, gently swinging on the newly built rocking horse. The two little ones were amused and giggled. At this moment, the housekeeper hurried in and reported: “Sir, Zhang Fuan wants to see you. Judging from his appearance, it seems that he has some great news.” Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. Zhang Fuan had been spending his time in the military workshop, developing artillery and shells. He had rushed over in such a hurry, looking so happy. Could it be… “Let him in.” A moment later, Zhang Fuan hurried in with an expression of uncontrollable excitement on his dark face. Before he even reached him, his voice had already reached him: “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! It’s done! It’s done!” He ran to Lin Xiao, and because he ran too fast, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. “What’s accomplished?” Lin Xiao asked knowingly, but a smile appeared on his face. “Bombs! Brother Xiao, we’ve developed those new types of shells you mentioned before!” Zhang Fuan was so excited that he was a little incoherent. He carefully took out a blueprint from his pocket and spread it out on the stone table. “Look! This is based on your ideas. We conducted repeated experiments and finally made it!” Lin Xiao took the drawing and looked at it carefully. The drawing shows several different shapes of artillery shells, with densely packed data and instructions marked next to them. “Great! That’s great!” Lin Xiao’s eyes flashed with joy after reading it. “Let’s go to the test site and take a look!” He immediately stood up, told the servants to look after his wife and children, and then strode towards the military workshop test site outside the city with Zhang Fuan, who looked excited. At the test site, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and others had already been waiting there. They had obviously received the news, and each of them had a look of anticipation and curiosity on their face. In a corner of the test site, several brand new cannons stood proudly, their muzzles flashing with a cold metallic luster. Next to the artillery, there are several piles of shells of various shapes neatly stacked. Zhang Fuan pointed at the shells, as if introducing his own children, his face full of pride: “Brother Xiao, look! These are the new shells we developed according to your drawings!” He first pointed to a pile of artillery shells with pointed heads and slender bodies. “These are armor piercing shells. The warheads are made of our latest tungsten steel alloy, which has been repeatedly forged and heat treated to make them incredibly hard.” The projectile has also been optimized, and after being launched, it can maintain speed and kinetic energy to the maximum extent. It is specifically used to deal with the enemy’s strong city defenses and heavy equipment! Compared to the solid iron lump before, this thing’s penetrating power is at least 30% stronger!” Lin Xiao picked up an armor piercing bullet. It felt heavy in his hand, and the bullet head flashed with a cold metallic luster. It was indeed more deterrent than the previous solid bullet. Zhang Fuan pointed to another pile of slightly rounded shells that appeared to have pre made fragmentation patterns on their bodies: “These are high explosive grenades, which are an improved version of the ‘shrapnel shells’ you mentioned. The projectile is filled with our latest configuration of high explosives, and the fuse has also been improved so that it can be set to a delayed explosion. When this shot is fired, the ground explodes and the prefabricated fragments inside can cover a large area, with amazing lethality! Whether it’s dealing with the enemy’s dense formation or destroying the enemy’s position, the effect is far better than before!” He also emphasized, “Brother Xiao, we put a lot of effort into the casting process of this high explosive grenade. The shell is uniform and airtight, so there will definitely be no accidents of explosion or non explosion!” Sun Mingde’s blood boiled as he listened. He looked at the brand new shells, as if he had already seen them displaying their might on the battlefield. He rubbed his hands and urged, “Brother Xiao, Fuan, stop talking! Hurry up and pull it out to see how powerful it is!” Although Wang Jian was not as outspoken as Sun Mingde, his eyes were also filled with anticipation. These new types of artillery shells will undoubtedly further enhance the combat effectiveness of the Qinglin Army, giving them a greater advantage on the battlefield. Chapter 316: The Divine Power Appears “Then let’s try the high explosive grenades first!” Lin Xiao said in a deep voice as he glanced at the pile of round shells. Zhang Fuan agreed and immediately directed several carefully selected gunners. These gunners were veterans of the military workshop and knew the temperament of the artillery very well. The gunners moved skillfully. Two of them carefully lifted a high explosive grenade, while another adjusted the muzzle and aimed it at a sturdy fortress like target made of thick stone slabs and sandbags, which was one hundred and fifty steps away. “Load!” With a command, the shell was slowly pushed into the barrel and rammed. The gunner adjusted the fuse and stepped back a few steps while another man, holding a torch, lit the fuse. “Hiss—” The fuse burned, making a slight sound. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the cannon. “boom!” With a deafening roar, thick smoke and flames erupted from the muzzle, and the immense recoil caused the gun to jerk back. The shell, like a streak of black light, whistled through the air and headed straight for the distant target. Almost in the blink of an eye, a huge fireball suddenly exploded at the location of the target! “Boom—” The explosion was more violent than the cannon’s roar, making everyone’s eardrums buzz and the ground beneath their feet seem to tremble. Smoke and dust rose into the sky, and broken wood mixed with sand and soil flew everywhere. When the smoke and dust cleared, the place where the target was originally located was already a mess. The sturdy fortress like structure disappeared without a trace, leaving only a huge charred crater with countless debris scattered around it and wisps of blue smoke still rising. “Oh my God!” Sun Mingde was the first to exclaim, his eyes widened and his mouth opened so wide that an egg could fit in. He had seen artillery and solid bullets smashing targets, but he had never seen such horrific destructive power. Wang Jian was also horrified, his Adam’s apple rolled, and he was speechless for a long time. Li Dequan almost knelt down. This was simply a powerful weapon! Zhang Fuan’s face flushed red, and his whole body was shaking with excitement. This power was even greater than he had expected! The craftsmen and guards around took a deep breath and looked at the shells with awe. “Great! What a great high explosive bomb!” Lin Xiao was also excited. This was the weapon of war he wanted. “Try the armor piercing bullet again!” Lin Xiao suppressed the excitement in his heart and pointed to the target on the other side. It was a thick wall built with cement, gravel and loess, which was compacted and reinforced layer by layer. It was three feet thick and the surface was embedded with hard bluestone, simulating a section of the solid city wall of an ordinary provincial capital. The gunners quickly cleaned the barrels and replaced them with pointed armor piercing shells. Another cannon shot was heard, and the armor piercing shell was fired at high speed. “Bang!” A dull thud echoed as the armor piercing round accurately struck the thick wall. Everyone watched as the round sank into the wall, sending up a shower of brick and stone debris. Immediately afterwards, the place where the wall was hit suddenly caved inward, followed by a teeth grinding “crackling” sound, and a huge hole suddenly appeared, and sunlight came through from the other side. “It…it penetrated!” a craftsman stammered. “One more shot! Hit the same spot!” Zhang Fuan shouted excitedly. The second armor piercing bullet whizzed in and accurately penetrated the first bullet hole. “Boom—” This time, it wasn’t a simple penetration. The thick wall seemed to have been struck by a massive impact, and it suddenly exploded. Chunks of brick and stone crumbled and fell, and amidst the smoke and dust, the simulated wall collapsed in half! “hiss ” Sun Mingde gasped and muttered to himself, “This…after this, what city wall can withstand this? After a few shots, even the strongest city will have a big hole in it!” His eyes lit up as he excitedly said to Lin Xiao, “Brother Xiao! With these armor piercing and high explosive shells, our Qinglin Army will be able to easily defeat those imperial officers and soldiers hiding in the city! Their city walls are no longer just tortoise shells!” Wang Jian nodded heavily, his voice trembling slightly. “Sir, this weapon is enough to change the course of the battle. In future sieges, our casualties will be greatly reduced.” They seemed to have seen that under the bombardment of these new artillery shells, the enemy’s city defenses collapsed, and the flags of the Qinglin Army were planted in every corner of the Great Zhou. Lin Xiao looked at everyone’s excited expressions, feeling quite satisfied. He patted Zhang Fuan on the shoulder and said, “Fuan, your military workshop has done a great job again! Reward all the craftsmen involved in the research and development! A huge reward! Double your wages this month, get plenty of meat, and three extra jars of wine! Don’t be stingy!” “Thank you, Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan clasped his fists excitedly. Lin Xiao turned to look at Sun Mingde: “How is the replacement of the new gun going?” Sun Mingde immediately replied, “Brother Xiao, the first batch of 500 percussion cap rifles have been delivered to the Qinglin Guards. After trying them out, the brothers all said they are much better than the previous flintlock rifles! They have a fast rate of fire and are not afraid of rainy days!” “Okay.” Lin Xiao nodded. “The new weapons must be put into combat as soon as possible. Mingde, Wang Jian, you must seize the time to familiarize the troops with the performance of the new guns and explore new tactical exercises. In a month, I will hold a live fire military exercise outside the city to test the results.” “Yes! Brother Xiao!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian were cheered up and answered in unison. After explaining the work, Lin Xiao walked out of the testing site. Li Dequan followed closely behind. At this moment, the scorching sun above was mercilessly burning the earth, and even the wind was hot. Lin Xiao raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. His eyes swept across the yellowed ridges in the distance. He asked casually, “Uncle Dequan, it’s very hot today. Hasn’t it rained in a while?” Upon hearing this, the excitement on Li Dequan’s face due to the new type of artillery shells faded a little, replaced by a solemn look. He looked up at the cloudless sky and sighed, “Brother Xiao, it’s been more than just a few days. If you calculate carefully, I’m afraid we haven’t seen any decent rain in almost a month and a half. Look over there, the water levels in several major irrigation canals have dropped by 30% to 40%. ” He paused, his voice lowering. “Thanks to you, Qinglin County has developed water conservancy projects and promoted new farming methods, and the crops in the fields are doing well. But I’ve heard from merchants from the south that some prefectures are already experiencing drought, and the crops in the fields are almost dying. If God doesn’t send rain, I’m afraid this autumn harvest will be… Sigh!” Li Dequan’s face was filled with worry. “After a severe drought, there will inevitably be a major disaster. With so many refugees, life will be difficult. Although Qinglin County can protect itself, it cannot withstand the influx of disaster victims from all directions.” Lin Xiao’s brows knitted tightly together. He knew full well that water could carry a boat, but it could also capsize it. If the people had no food, chaos would break out. Although he had no intention of competing for the world, he did not want to see the stable situation he had worked so hard to establish being impacted. “This matter cannot be taken lightly.” Lin Xiao pondered for a moment and said decisively, “Uncle Dequan, you must make arrangements immediately. First, order each village to strictly control water use, giving priority to ensuring drinking water for humans and livestock and irrigation of farmland, and eliminating waste. Second, take inventory of the reserves in all granaries in the county so that you have a clear idea of the situation. Third, organize personnel to repair and reinforce existing water conservancy facilities, explore new water sources, dig wells to store water, and make multiple preparations. Fourth, prepare a batch of drought relief supplies, such as water trucks and drought resistant seeds, so that we can respond promptly if the drought worsens.” “Oh, I understand, Brother Xiao!” Li Dequan’s expression became serious, and he responded solemnly, “I will call together the village heads and leaders of each village to convey your instructions and ensure that they are implemented.” He knew that every decision Lin Xiao made affected the livelihood of every citizen in Qinglin County. Chapter 317: Hot Summer and Clear Spring Back at the county magistrate’s mansion, the sweltering hot air was suffocating. Under the corridor, Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Sister Lin, Aunt Wang and other girls were leaning crookedly on bamboo chairs, each holding a palm leaf fan, but they could not blow away the sticky summer air. Crystal beads of sweat hung on their foreheads and noses, and their clothes were wet and stuck to their bodies. It was obvious that they were suffering from the scorching heat. “Husband, you’re back!” Yan Ruoxi pouted her rosy lips and complained as soon as she saw Lin Xiao, “This weather is so hot that it’s almost boiling! The ice in the ice cellar is almost melting. How can we endure it if it continues to be so hot!” Yan Ruotong also frowned and gently fanned herself: “Yes, my husband, the afternoon is especially unbearable, and the sisters are a little tired.” Aunt Wang looked at the young girls with even more distress: “Brother Lin Xiao, you should think of a solution quickly. This heat is too strong and it’s not good for your health…” Lin Xiao felt a little sorry for them as he saw their cheeks flushed by the heat and they even spoke weakly. The ice in this ice cellar is indeed used up quickly. With so many people in the entire county governor’s office, the daily consumption is not a small amount. After all, it is not a long term solution. An idea suddenly struck him. Isn’t there a large open space in the backyard of this mansion? If they could draw fresh water and create a cool pool… “Why are you all so gloomy?” Lin Xiao walked over and gently touched their smooth foreheads one by one. His touch was damp with sweat. He smiled and said, “It’s not a big deal. Look how worried you are. Don’t worry, I have a way to cool you down immediately.” Yan Ruoxi raised her eyelids weakly: “Husband, this is such terrible weather, unless it rains hail, there will be no coolness. There is almost not enough ice.” “Just wait and see.” Lin Xiao kept the question a secret, then turned around and shouted, “Someone, go get the housekeeper!” The butler quickly trotted in and bowed, saying, “Master, your orders.” Lin Xiao said: “Go immediately and gather all the strong servants in the mansion who can work, and find me a group of skilled craftsmen from outside, the more the better. I’m going to dig a big pond in the backyard and bring in water from the underground river outside the mansion.” When the housekeeper heard this, he was stunned at first. Digging a pond was not uncommon, but diverting water from the underground river into the mansion was a huge project. Moreover, according to the master’s intention, the pond should be “bigger”. However, he was also used to seeing Lin Xiao’s various strange ideas, so he quickly responded: “Yes, sir! I will arrange it right away and make sure to find all the manpower and craftsmen for you!” The housekeeper was extremely efficient. In just half an hour, nearly a hundred people, including the able bodied servants in the mansion and dozens of strong craftsmen temporarily hired from outside, gathered in the open space in the backyard. Hoes, shovels, shoulder poles, ropes and other tools were also ready. Lin Xiao had already paced around the open space, roughly sketching out the outline of the pond and the directions of the aqueduct and drainage channel. He said to everyone, “Dig according to this range. The depth must be at least seven feet. Leave an inlet over there, and an outlet over here. Make sure the water is flowing.” The pool bottom and walls are paved with bluestone slabs, and the gaps are filled with cement. “Move quickly! I want to see this pool before dark!” “Dig!” With Lin Xiao’s order, nearly a hundred people immediately waved their tools and started working enthusiastically. For a moment, the backyard was filled with dust, and the sounds of horns and tools colliding could be heard one after another. The women in the mansion were also attracted by the commotion here and watched from afar. They saw Lin Xiao standing in the crowd, giving orders calmly and in a clear and organized manner. In just over an hour, a huge pit was formed. The next step is to lay the blue bricks and carefully fill the joints with cement. Lin Xiao then ordered people to go to the riverside to find many round and smooth pebbles of different sizes, and had them carefully laid along the edge of the pool, which was both beautiful and non slip. He also specially asked people to find some easy to grow aquatic plants, such as lotus leaves and calamus, to plant after the pond was filled with water . Taking practicality into consideration, he had people use sturdy nanmu bamboo to fix several large bamboo lounge chairs and a small bamboo table for placing snacks in the pool. Many hands make light work, and with Lin Xiao’s good management and generous rewards, the craftsmen and servants were highly motivated. But in just one afternoon, just before sunset, an exquisite pool covering an area of about 100 square meters, with a suitable depth, a bluestone base, a pebble edge, and water diversion and drainage channels, appeared in the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion. As the clear, cold underground river water gurgled through the channel into the pool, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. A light layer of cool air rises from the water surface, which makes people feel refreshed. “It’s done!” Lin Xiao looked at the cool pond in front of him and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He returned to the front yard and smiled at the girls who were looking around curiously, “We’ve prepared a place in the backyard for you to cool down. Put on some cool clothes and go try it out!” The girls’ eyes lit up when they heard this. At Lin Xiao’s signal, they all returned to their rooms and changed into light and cool clothes. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong wore light colored silk skirts embroidered with ruffles, one red and one blue, with light hems that revealed their slender calves; Sister Lin and Aunt Wang chose short jackets and long skirts that were more convenient for movement, made of light and breathable fabrics; Liu Ruyan was wearing a moon white gauze shirt that gently fit her exquisite curves. Pei Xueyi chose a light green short jacket with a plain white long skirt. Zhang Wanqing chose a loose goose yellow fine cotton long gown. The fabric was soft and skin friendly, and the hem was wide, making her look elegant when she walked. When they came to the backyard and saw the cool pond, they immediately cried out in surprise. “Wow! It’s so cool!” “Is this groundwater? It feels so good!” Several girls couldn’t wait to walk down the steps by the pool and put their feet into the water. The refreshing coolness instantly dispelled the heat in their bodies, making them sigh in comfort. Lin Xiao also took off his outer shirt, wearing only a thin inner lining, walked to the edge of the pool, and stepped into the water. The cold water instantly wrapped around his legs, making him feel an unprecedented comfort. He walked to the bamboo lounge chair in the pool, slowly lay down, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the rare coolness. Not far away, the girls had completely relaxed and were playing and having fun in the pool. Lin Xiao half closed his eyes, looking at the laughter in the distance, listening to their clear and pleasant voices, and felt a sense of peace in his heart. Just as Lin Xiao was enjoying this comfort, the two sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu came over with a tray. There was cut iced fruit on the tray, and a few clean cloths next to it. “Young Master, have some fruit.” Yan Jing said softly, placing the tray on the stone table next to Lin Xiao. Yan Susu walked over to Lin Xiao’s reclining chair and asked politely, “Master, may I give you a massage?” Lin Xiao opened his eyes and looked at the two well behaved and sensible girls, feeling very relieved. He smiled and nodded: “Okay, thank you for your hard work.” Yan Jing picked up a piece of iced watermelon and brought it to Lin Xiao’s lips. Lin Xiao opened his mouth and took a bite. The icy sweet juice melted in his mouth instantly, and the coolness penetrated his heart and lungs. Yan Susu stretched out her hand and pressed gently and rhythmically on Lin Xiao’s shoulders. Lin Xiao closed his eyes comfortably, enjoying the tranquility and the care. Yan Jing would occasionally feed him a piece of fruit, while Yan Susu would gently massage him. Suddenly, Lin Xiao felt Yan Susu’s hand slowly sliding down from his shoulder, along his arm, and slowly moving towards his waist and abdomen. Immediately afterwards, a strange touch came, and the tender little hand began to reach down. Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes wide and his body tensed up instantly. A burst of heat instantly replaced the previous coolness. Lin Xiao took a deep breath and said in a dry voice: “Susu…you…” Chapter 318 Natural and Man Made Disasters In the following days, the heat became more and more intense, and the scorching sun in the sky was like a huge furnace, mercilessly burning the earth. There wasn’t even a breath of wind, and the air was so stagnant that it was hard to breathe. In the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion, the newly built pond has become the most popular place in the mansion. Lin Xiao was half lying under the awning by the pool at this moment, accompanying the two little guys Lin Xin and Lin Rui. The two children were wearing thin little bellybands and sitting on the mat that Lin Xiao had specially laid out, babbling while holding rattles. Even the children seemed to feel the heat, and sweat began to appear on their foreheads after playing for a while. “Even adults can’t stand this horrible weather, let alone children.” Yan Ruoxi gently picked up Lin Xin, frowning slightly. Lin Xiao reached out and touched Lin Xin’s face, which was warm. He said softly, “Bear with it a little longer. It will be better when the sun goes down. There’s still enough ice in the house. Let’s cool them down.” As he was speaking, Li Dequan walked in hurriedly from outside, sweating profusely, with a serious expression on his face. “Brother Xiao.” He first glanced at the child before lowering his voice and saying, “The situation is not good.” Lin Xiao gestured for him to sit down and the servant beside him quickly brought a bowl of cold tea. Li Dequan downed half a bowl in one gulp before wiping his mouth and saying, “Brother Xiao, the drought is getting worse. I just got the news that several southern imperial prefectures have completely lost their water supply. The crops in the fields have failed, and people are starving everywhere. Even more troublesome is that in many places, people have risen up in rebellion because they can’t survive!” He paused, his voice deeper. “In the past few days, the number of refugees pouring into Qinglin County from the south and east has been increasing day by day. Yesterday alone, no fewer than five hundred people arrived. Every village is under great pressure. Although we have food, this is not a solution.” Lin Xiao frowned. Drought, famine, civil unrest… these words combined together created a picture of hell on earth. “What about the court? What’s going on?” Li Dequan gave a wry smile, “So far, not a single grain of disaster relief grain has been shipped from the imperial court. Instead, there are more urgent documents demanding the payment of taxes.” A hint of coldness flashed across Lin Xiao’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. “Uncle Dequan, since they can’t survive and are willing to come to Qinglin County to beg for food, we can’t just stand by and watch them die.” He stood up, paced a few steps under the awning, and said decisively, “Pass on my orders. First, set up porridge stalls outside the county town and at several major entry points. Distribute porridge daily to ensure no one starves. Second, open some government warehouses and sell grain at a fair price. Severely crack down on those who hoard grain or drive up prices. If found, they will be severely punished! Third, register these refugees, arrange temporary resettlement sites, and ensure basic food and accommodation.” Li Dequan was in high spirits: “Brother Xiao, this will cost us a lot of food.” Lin Xiao waved his hand. “What Qinglin County wants is long term peace and stability, not temporary prosperity. You go ahead and do it. If there’s not enough money and food, I’ll find a way.” “Yes! Brother Xiao!” Li Dequan’s eyes were full of admiration, and he immediately took the order and left. Looking at Li Dequan’s hurriedly leaving back, Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong looked at each other, and saw worry and a hint of pride in each other’s eyes. As night falls, the heat subsides slightly, but it is still stuffy. After Lin Xiao finished dealing with some urgent official business, he and the girls took a dip in the pool in the backyard to cool off. He held Liu Ruyan in his arms and stroked her waist with his fingers. Liu Ruyan leaned against Lin Xiao’s chest, a trace of pity on her usually cold face: “We heard about the situation outside. Those refugees… are really pitiful.” Pei Xueyi also said softly: “Yes, especially those children, they are so hungry that they are skin and bones. It makes people feel distressed just looking at them.” Yan Ruoxi pulled Lin Xiao’s sleeve and looked up: “Husband, we…we want to go to the porridge stall to help out and do our part.” Aunt Wang and Sister Lin also nodded repeatedly and looked at Lin Xiao with expectant eyes. “You guys?” Lin Xiao was a little surprised, then smiled and said, “Well, let’s show the people that the women of our county governor’s mansion are not just about enjoying themselves. But safety comes first. I will send guards to accompany you.” “Great!” Yan Ruoxi cheered, and the other girls also smiled. Although they were in the backyard, they also hoped to do something for this family and Qinglin County. Lin Xiao felt warm in his heart as he looked at how eager they were to try. With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? He reached out and pulled Liu Ruyan, who was closest to him, into his arms, whispering a few words in her ear. This made Liu Ruyan blush and she gently hit him. In the pool, there was boundless spring scenery and laughter everywhere. At the same time, thousands of miles away in the capital, inside the imperial palace. Li Yan sat on the dragon throne, listening to the officials below crying and arguing one after another. “Your Majesty! Jingzhou is suffering from a severe drought, and refugees are everywhere! I implore Your Majesty to quickly send relief food and supplies and dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion!” An official knelt on the ground, crying. “Your Majesty! Civil unrest has also broken out in Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and other places. The local authorities are unable to control it. We request support from the imperial court!” “Where will the food and grass come from? The national treasury has been empty for a long time! What support can we get?” The Minister of Revenue retorted in a shrill voice, sweating profusely. “If we don’t send troops to suppress them, are we going to let those rioters do whatever they want?!” The Minister of War glared at him. Li Yan was so dizzy from the noise that he slammed the armrest of the dragon throne: “Enough! Shut up!” The hall instantly became quiet, with only the sound of heavy breathing. Li Yan said irritably, “Just a few unruly people dare to rebel? What are the local officials doing for a living?” The ministers below lowered their heads and dared not speak. Finally, it was the Minister of War who proposed a solution: “Your Majesty, the court is currently short of manpower and money, making it difficult to provide for all regions. Why not… why not follow the example of the previous dynasty and allow the prefectures to recruit local militia, form militias, and raise their own food and fodder to suppress the bandits and maintain peace. Once the situation stabilizes, we can then disband them.” As soon as these words were spoken, there was a lot of discussion in the hall. “This…isn’t this just allowing the local areas to maintain their own military power?” “If they disobey the imperial court’s orders, won’t it lead to disaster?” Li Yan thought this was a good idea. At least he didn’t have to spend money or food, and he could let the local authorities solve the problem themselves. “Approved!” Li Yan waved his hand impatiently. “Let’s do as the Minister of War says! Each place will form its own guards to suppress the rebels, and raise the necessary money and food on their own!” “Your Majesty is wise!” Some officials immediately cheered. Zhou Mubai looked at the absurd scene in front of him, and a deep sense of powerlessness surged in his heart. He knew that once this decision was made, it would be like opening Pandora’s box. The local tyrants will certainly take the opportunity to expand their power, and the imperial court’s control over the local areas will be further weakened. The Great Zhou Dynasty may really fall into a situation of disintegration. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end all that came out was a silent sigh. The building is about to collapse, and one tree cannot support it! Chapter 319: Drought and Civil Unrest On the other side, Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan was wearing a plain palace dress, leaning quietly against the window. Outside the window was a dull lead gray sky, without a trace of wind, making it hard to breathe. The summary of the report just presented by the palace maid was still spread out on the table. Drought, famine, and civil unrest were everywhere, and the court’s response was to allow each place to recruit its own militia. She sighed softly, with an indelible sadness between her brows. “Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen has delivered freshly prepared mung bean and lily soup, which is said to be able to clear away heat and relieve summer heat.” The personal maid reported cautiously. Liu Weilan waved her hand, her voice a little weary. “I don’t have much appetite. Please leave. Pass the order. From today on, the harem expenses will be reduced by half. All non essential expenses will be stopped. At this time, every penny saved is a penny earned.” “Yes, your majesty.” The palace maid responded and retreated. Silence returned to the hall, with only the sound of Liu Weilan’s shallow breathing. She couldn’t help but think of Ruyan and Lin Xiao who were far away in Qinglin County. How are they doing in such scorching heat? With Lin Xiao’s abilities, I don’t think his sister will suffer. What would happen if he were to deal with this natural disaster? The next morning, just as the sky was getting light, the heat was already spreading. Outside Qinglin County, a long line had formed in front of a makeshift porridge stall. These are refugees who have fled from various southern states. They are all pale and thin, dressed in tattered clothes, with empty eyes, as if they will collapse at any time. Old Zhang was hunched over, holding his starving grandson Goudan tightly in his arms, and moving with difficulty with the crowd. He could no longer remember how many days he had been on the run. He only remembered that the fields in his hometown were cracked into pieces, the river dried up, and the villagers were either dead or fleeing. He took Goudan with him, gnawing on tree bark and chewing on grass roots along the way. He is only alive today by hanging on with one breath. “Grandpa… Grandpa… I’m hungry…” Goudan hummed weakly, his little head drooping on Old Zhang’s shoulder. “My dear grandson, it’s almost time. There’s porridge up ahead.” Old Zhang’s cracked lips trembled and his voice was hoarse. In fact, he didn’t have much hope. On the road of escape, the so called porridge stalls mostly had a pot of clear soup, only enough to see a person’s reflection. The team moved forward slowly, and the aroma of rice porridge gradually drifted into the air. The aroma was rich, unlike the thin porridge he had smelled before. Old Zhang was refreshed and could not help but quicken his pace. Finally it’s their turn. A beautiful woman with a voluptuous figure and dressed in clean cloth took his broken bowl and scooped a large spoonful of porridge into it. Old Zhang was stunned. The porridge in the bowl was thick and white, with the rice grains clearly visible and a refreshing rice aroma. This…how could this be the porridge that refugees eat? This is clearly the kind of refined rice porridge that only wealthy families would afford to make! “This…is this really for us?” Old Zhang couldn’t believe it and asked stutteringly. This beautiful woman was none other than Mrs. Lin. She smiled gently, “Father in law, eat while it’s hot. There are people waiting behind us. If you’re not satisfied, just let me know. I’ll keep you full!” Next to them, sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were also busy. They were wearing simple clothes, with sweat on their foreheads, but they had no complaints and patiently served porridge to every refugee. Aunt Wang and Liu Ruyan helped distribute some whole grain cakes. Old Zhang took the bowl of porridge with trembling hands and carefully fed Goudan a mouthful. The little grandson hadn’t tasted such delicious food for a long time. His eyes lit up and he started to eat it voraciously. Old Zhang also took a sip. The warm and fragrant rice porridge slid into his stomach, and a warm current instantly spread throughout his limbs, almost making him cry. He looked around and saw that although the weather in Qinglin County was hot, the crops in the fields along the road were a little wilted, but not completely dead like in their hometown. Occasionally, you could see water flowing in the canals. The locals walking along the road, though also wearing summer clothes, were in much better spirits than the refugees, and their faces did not have the look of despair. Not far from the porridge stall, several Qinglin Guards in uniform were maintaining order. Although they were carrying weapons, their attitudes were not vicious. “Brother, you just came from the south, right?” A middle aged man who was also drinking porridge next to him spoke. He looked a little better and it seemed that he had arrived a few days ago. Old Zhang nodded: “Yes, we escaped from Jingzhou. Over there… well, I won’t say anymore.” The man sighed, “We too. We finally found our way back to life after arriving in Qinglin County. The county governor here is truly a living Bodhisattva! Not only does he give us porridge, he also sells us grain at a fair price, preventing us from starving to death.” Another old woman, who had just finished her porridge, chimed in, “That’s right! I heard Lord Lin even sent people to dig wells and repair canals everywhere to combat the drought! If our village had had such a good official earlier, we wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.” “I heard that the taxes in Qinglin County are much lighter than elsewhere, and the people there have an easier time!” Old Zhang listened to everyone’s discussion and felt mixed emotions. He looked at his grandson, whose cheeks were flushed from porridge, and then at the busy officials distributing the porridge. His eyes welled up, and he couldn’t help but let the turbid tears roll down. He kowtowed heavily in the direction of the porridge stall: “My Lord! I will never forget your life saving grace!” Seeing this, the refugees around followed suit. For a moment, everyone knelt in front of the porridge stall, and cries of gratitude could be heard one after another. On the other side of the porridge stall, Lin Dashan was also distributing porridge. With his signature fat belly sticking out, he was boasting to a group of newly arrived refugees with saliva flying all over his body. “You have come to the right place! Do you know where this is? Qinglin County! Do you know who our county magistrate is? Lin Xiao! He is a god like figure!” Lin Dashan patted his chest and spoke in a loud voice. He pointed at Mrs. Lin who was wiping a child’s mouth not far away and said proudly, “See? That’s my sister! She’s Master Lin Xiao’s woman! What kind of relationship do we have with Master Lin? It’s ironclad!” A group of refugees were dizzy with hunger. After hearing what Lin Dashan said and seeing his proud look, they really thought he was some extraordinary person and showed expressions of awe and flattery. “Sir, you are so lucky!” A clever middle aged man immediately stepped forward and said with a flattering smile, “Having a relative like you by Lord Lin’s side, we refugees can also benefit from it, right?” “Of course!” Lin Dashan was flattered, his chin almost raised to the sky. “Let me tell you, our Lord Lin is kind hearted and can’t bear to see the people suffer. As long as you behave yourself, you’ll have a chance to make a living in Qinglin County! We have great policies here. There are subsidies for farming, you get paid for working, and your children can even go to school for free!” He became more and more excited as he spoke, as if all the achievements of Qinglin County were his credit. “Master is right, Lord Lin is truly our adopted parent!” “Please, sir, say a few good words for us in front of Master Lin. We will obey you and serve you like slaves!” The refugees knelt down one after another, kowtowed and bowed to Lin Dashan, calling him “Uncle” and “Benefactor”. Lin Dashan was overjoyed by this scene. He cleared his throat and put on a compassionate look, “Everyone, get up! Lord Lin said, kneeling is not allowed! Lord Lin will never treat any hardworking and dedicated person unfairly!” Chapter 320: Enough Food and Peace of Mind In the meeting room of the county magistrate’s office. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others looked tired, but there was a sense of peace in their eyes. “Sir,” Song Qinghe spoke first, his voice slightly hoarse. “According to statistics from various checkpoints, as of yesterday, the number of refugees pouring into Qinglin County has exceeded 30,000. They primarily came from Jingzhou and Yuzhou in the south, with some also coming from the disaster stricken areas of Xuzhou in the east. All villages have registered their numbers, and young and middle aged people have been assigned tasks within their capabilities, primarily assisting with water conservancy repairs and reclaiming wasteland.” He changed the subject, a look of relief on his face. “The county’s water conservancy facilities played a key role in this severe drought. Although the water levels in several main canals have dropped, the newly drilled deep wells and several reservoirs have basically ensured the irrigation of farmland in the core areas. However, some fields in remote mountainous areas have still cracked.” Li Dequan took over the conversation, his voice tinged with emotion: “Brother Xiao, I’ve had people carefully count the granaries in our county. Even if there’s no harvest in the next year, there’s enough food for the entire county’s military and civilian population, plus these refugees, for five years!” The other leaders also smiled, looking at Lin Xiao with admiration. The fact that they had been able to eat enough food for the past five years was their greatest confidence. Lin Xiao’s expression was calm, his fingers tapping lightly on the table: “Okay, let’s continue preparing.” He looked out the window at the scorching sky with a deep gaze. “After natural disasters, there are often man made disasters. This chaos is probably just beginning.” He said in a deep voice, “Uncle Dequan, Qinghe, pass on my orders. First, when resettling refugees, we must ensure proper screening and registration. We must organize the young and middle aged people to participate in water conservancy repairs and land reclamation within the county, and provide them with food and a small amount of wages. “Second, the city defenses must not be relaxed. Additional personnel must be deployed to the various passes, and the militia training must also be stepped up. Third, more scouts must be dispatched to closely monitor the surrounding states, especially the movements of the rebels.” When everyone heard this, their expressions froze, and they responded in unison: “Yes, sir!” After finishing his official business, Lin Xiao returned to his study, where he continued to work on his business with a slightly furrowed brow. After a while, a faint fragrance wafted over, and Pei Xueyi walked in slowly, holding a small celadon bowl. She was wearing a simple and elegant moon white dress today. She had no makeup on, but her skin looked even whiter than snow, and her temperament was as gentle as water. When she walked, her skirt moved slightly, making her look like a fairy under the moon. “Seeing you frown, you must be worried about the drought. I stewed some chilled mung bean and lotus seed soup. You can try it. It will clear your mind and relieve your internal heat.” Pei Xueyi put the bowl on the table and spoke softly. Lin Xiao raised his eyes and saw that it was her. The depression between his brows dissipated a little, and a smile appeared on his lips: “You are still careful.” He picked up the bowl and took a sip. It was cool and sweet, and the heat immediately dissipated. Putting down the bowl, Lin Xiao took Pei Xueyi’s hand and let her sit on his lap. He gently lifted her small chin with his fingertips, looked at her instantly blushing cheeks and slightly trembling eyelashes, and chuckled softly, “Xue Yi, you are so virtuous. I wish I had a daughter as caring as you. Have you ever thought about giving birth to one for me?” Pei Xueyi’s breathing suddenly stagnated, her cheeks were so red that blood seemed to be dripping out, she lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito: “I… I will listen to you…” Her shy look made Lin Xiao’s heart flutter. He chuckled and took her soft body into his arms. [Ding! Pei Xueyi’s favorability increased by +5.] [Pei Xueyi’s current favorability: 27.] In the following days, the scorching heat remained and the drought showed no signs of easing, as if the entire Da Zhou was being roasted on a huge furnace. Capital city, the imperial palace. Li Yan sat on the dragon throne with a sullen face, listening to the cries of the officials below. “Your Majesty! Jingzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou… dozens of prefectures have erupted in large scale civil unrest! The rebels, with refugees in tow, have stormed county towns, slaughtered officials, and are now spreading like wildfire!” “Your Majesty! South of Qinglin County, a rebel group calling themselves the ‘Yellow Sky Army’ has captured three cities in a row. They have gathered over a hundred thousand men and are spreading to the surrounding areas. Their momentum is fierce, heading straight for… straight for the capital!” “The national treasury has been empty for a long time. What can we use to suppress the rebellion?” The Minister of Revenue had a sad face. “Waste! All of them are waste!” Li Yan suddenly grabbed the jade seal on the table and smashed it hard on the ground. The jade seal shattered with a harsh sound. He roared like a madman: “A bunch of unruly people! Untouchables! How dare you rebel? Pass on my command and kill them! Wherever you go, anyone who resists will be killed without mercy! Massacre the city! Massacre the city!” Zhou Mubai stood aside, watching the hysterical young emperor on the throne, his eyes flashing with deep despair and helplessness. The edifice was about to collapse, and it was beyond the power of one person to save it. County Magistrate’s Mansion, dinner time. The atmosphere at the dinner table was a little dull, and the chirping of cicadas outside the window was a bit anxious. Lin Xiao was picking up some food for Lin Xin, while Yan Ruoxi and the others were coaxing their children. Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps came from afar, and Sun Mingde, dressed in military uniform with undried dust and a few dark brown marks on his armor, rushed in hurriedly. “Brother Xiao!” Everyone was shocked and looked at him. Lin Xiao put down his chopsticks, frowning slightly: “Mingde, why are you so flustered?” Sun Mingde took a deep breath, his face showing some fatigue from the fierce battle, but more of an uncontrollable excitement and fierceness. “Brother Xiao! Those bastards from the ‘Huang Tian Army’ are reckless. They sent a vanguard of about 5,000 people. This afternoon, they suddenly attacked the Baishi Pass to our east!” “What?!” Yan Ruoxi and others exclaimed in surprise. Lin Xiao’s eyes glared, and he asked in a deep voice, “How’s the battle going? Has the pass been held?” Sun Mingde puffed out his chest, a proud look on his face. “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! The new fortifications at the pass are incredibly strong, and with the new rifles in our hands, that ragtag bunch of people couldn’t even reach the top of the pass wall! They launched three charges, leaving behind at least five or six hundred bodies, and the rest fled in panic! On our side, there were less than thirty casualties, and they were all minor injuries!” He paused, his eyes flashing with bloodthirsty light, and his voice became louder: “Brother Xiao! Since these sons of bitches dare to take the initiative to extend their claws, shouldn’t we also show them some power? The brothers are all holding back their anger! You give the order, what should we do?!” Chapter 321 The Chaos Has Arrived At the dinner table, Yan Ruoxi and the others put down their chopsticks and looked at Lin Xiao nervously. The air seemed to freeze. Lin Xiao put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hands, his eyes calm, but those who knew him knew that beneath this calmness, there was often a thunder brewing. He spoke slowly, his voice unquestionable: “Since they have come to our door, we naturally cannot let them leave empty handed.” He stood up and glanced at everyone: “Pass my order, all core personnel, come to the meeting room immediately!” “Yes!” Sun Mingde cheered up, clasped his fists and accepted the order, then turned around and strode away. The lights in the meeting room were bright. Soon, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Wang Jian, Zhang Fuan and others arrived one after another. Lin Xiao stood in front of a huge sand table, on which were precisely marked the mountains, rivers, towns and roads of Qinglin County and several surrounding prefectures and counties. “Everyone is here.” Lin Xiao said straight to the point, “The Huang Tian army took action first and attacked our Baishi Pass. This is just the beginning.” He picked up a slender wooden pole and pointed to the two counties to the east and south of Qinglin County on the sand table. “This is Jingzhou Nanyang County, and this is Jizhou Wanshui County. These two counties are currently overrun with refugees, and the government is paralyzed. Bandits like the Huang Tian Army are using these two places as their granaries and sources of troops.” Everyone held their breath and listened attentively to Lin Xiao’s analysis. Lin Xiao turned his gaze to Song Qinghe: “Qinghe, let me ask you, with our current food and material reserves in Qinglin County, if we take over these two counties, how long can we sustain our expenses?” Song Qinghe stepped forward, thought for a moment, and then calmly replied, “Your Excellency, if we completely take over these two counties and are responsible for all military and civilian expenses, based on the current county budget, we can sustain them for at least two years.” Two years! Everyone present, including Sun Mingde and Wang Jian, the fierce generals in the army, had a flash of shock in their eyes when they heard this number. You know, this was after taking over two other counties that were also suffering from severe drought and had large populations! Qinglin County’s wealth had become so substantial! Li Dequan stroked his beard, a pleased smile on his face. He knew best how the accumulation of these grains was the result of Lin Xiao’s careful planning, the construction of water conservancy projects, and the promotion of improved varieties, which led to the current situation. “Okay!” Lin Xiao knocked on the edge of the sand table fiercely, his voice firm, “In that case, we don’t have to wait any longer!” He slammed his wooden pole towards Nanyang and Yingchuan counties. “Pass on my military order! Effective immediately, all units of the Qinglin Army will enter the highest state of combat readiness! Sun Mingde, Wang Jian!” “I am here!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian took a step forward together, their armor plates clanging. “You will lead the main force of the Qinglin Guards and immediately exit the pass. Take over the entire territory of Nanyang and Wanshui and eliminate all the rebels! I want these two counties to fly the flag of my Qinglin Army!” A cold glint flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes. “This time, we’re sending out troops not only to fight, but also to demonstrate the might of our Qinglin Army! Let those scoundrels see what happens if they proactively provoke our Qinglin County! All captured spoils will be used to replenish the military first, and the rest will be added to the county treasury. There will be no mercy for those who stubbornly resist!” “I obey your command!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian responded loudly with their blood boiling. Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan again: “Fuan, the military workshop is running at full capacity. New muskets and artillery shells will be supplied to the front line first!” Zhang Fuan’s dark face flushed red: “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! I promise to let the brothers use the best weapons!” Finally, Lin Xiao looked at Song Qinghe and Li Dequan and said, “Qinghe, Uncle Dequan, the rear civil affairs, food and fodder dispatch, and refugee resettlement are now handed over to you. After taking over the two counties, subsequent governance is even more important.” Song Qinghe and Li Dequan bowed and said, “Please rest assured, sir. We will do our best to stabilize the rear!” “Alright!” Lin Xiao looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice, “Everyone, the chaos has arrived. It’s impossible for Qinglin County to remain immune. Since we can’t hide, we must take the initiative and fight. In this chaotic world, we must carve out a world of our own!” “We are willing to die for you, sir!” everyone responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles. With one order, the entire Qinglin County quickly began to operate. Inside the military camp, the sound of trumpets rang out one after another, the sound of weapons clashing could be heard continuously, and teams of soldiers gathered together with murderous intent. Treasurys were opened everywhere, and food, fodder, and military equipment were continuously transported to the border passes. On the bulletin board of the county magistrate’s office, there were notices from County Magistrate Lin Xiao reassuring the people and a notice recruiting laborers and medical staff. The people were talking about it. Although they were worried, they had more trust in Lin Xiao and the Qinglin County officials and soldiers. Thousands of miles away, in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, in the imperial palace. The atmosphere at the morning court was depressing. At the morning court, Li Yan was impatiently listening to a report on trivial matters, his mind already flying to the carpentry workshop in the back garden. At that moment, a commander of the imperial guards hurried into the hall and knelt to report, “Your Majesty! Urgent military information from eight hundred miles away! The Huang Tian army entrenched in Jingzhou and Jeju recently sent thousands of troops to raid the eastern pass of Qinglin County!” As soon as the words fell, the hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a buzz of discussion. “Oh?” A hint of joy that was hard to conceal flashed across Li Yan’s originally irritable face. He thought to himself: Lin Xiao usually acts arrogantly in Qinglin County and doesn’t take the imperial court seriously. Now that he’s being attacked by rebels, let’s see how arrogant he can be! It would be best if both sides were defeated, so that he knows that this world is still mine! Under the dragon throne, civil and military officials began to whisper to each other, and many of them had expressions of gloating on their faces. “Haha, Lin Xiao is usually arrogant and domineering, and he doesn’t take the imperial court seriously. Now he has finally received retribution!” “That’s right, a mere peasant county governor dares to command troops and act in a self reliant manner. He deserves to be taught a lesson by the rebels!” “It would be best if both sides were to suffer losses, and the imperial court could just sit back and reap the benefits!” The Minister of War stroked his beard and said sarcastically, “Your Majesty is wise. If Lin Xiao were to be crippled, he might even cry out for help from the imperial court! Then, we could legitimately reclaim Qinglin County.” Li Yan was overjoyed to hear this and burst into laughter, clapping his hands. “Well said! Well said! I want to see how Lin Xiao ends up this time! It would be best if those rebels beat him to a pulp and let him know who is the king of the Great Zhou!” He even secretly hoped that if Lin Xiao was killed by the rebels, it would be a great joyful event. Zhou Mubai stood among the officials, listening to these absurd remarks, and a feeling of despair surged in his heart. If even a local force like Lin Xiao couldn’t stop the rebels’ offensive, then who else in the world could resist? Once the Huang Tian Army became powerful, its next target would probably be this outwardly strong but inwardly weak capital. Chapter 322: Troubled Times Wanshui County, Huangtian Army Camp. The flags were in disarray, and at the head of the group was a man with a face full of flesh. He was none other than Zhang Mang, the leader of this group of refugees and rebels, known as the “Iron Armed King”. He was originally a local thug in Jeju. He took advantage of the severe drought and the widespread disaster victims to recruit a group of desperate criminals and his power expanded rapidly. At this moment, Zhang Mang was spitting and stirring up his men: “Brothers! The spies said that Lin Xiao is filthy rich, and the grain in his granary is piled high like a mountain! Damn it, why does Lin Xiao get to live so comfortably?” He changed the subject, a lewd smile on his face: “Also! I heard that Lin Xiao’s women are so beautiful that you can squeeze out water! They are all like fairies! As long as we fight them, the gold, silver and treasures will be ours, the food will be ours, and the women… will be ours too! When the time comes, we can each take one and have fun!” “Ahhhh!” The chaotic army below let out a wild beast like howl, with greed and desire flashing in their eyes. Most of them were disaster victims who could not survive and were pushed to the extreme by hunger and despair. The scenes described by Zhang Mang were undoubtedly the biggest temptation for them. “Brothers, follow me, and let’s take over Qinglin County. Glory and wealth are just around the corner!” Zhang Mang drew the broadsword from his waist and pointed it forward. “Rob the money! Rob the food! Rob the women!” “Rob money! Robbing food! Robbing women!” Tens of thousands of rebel soldiers were incited to the point of boiling blood, and they all raised their weapons and shouted. At this moment, a neat black line appeared on the horizon ahead. The line was getting closer and clearer. The flags of the Qinglin Army fluttered in the wind, making a rustling sound. Rows of soldiers in uniform black uniforms marched forward silently in step with measured steps. On their shoulders were strangely shaped muskets, the barrels flashing a cold light in the sunlight. What made the chaotic army even more nervous was that behind the Qinglin Army’s formation, several black cannon muzzles suddenly appeared. Wang Jianli stood in front of the battle formation with a stern expression. He looked at the surging army without a trace of emotion in his eyes. These so called “Yellow Heavenly Army” were nothing more than a mob in his eyes. “Get ready!” Wang Jian raised his hand. The Qinglin Army soldiers quickly stopped, the front row crouching, the back row standing, their movements smooth and fluid, without a trace of panic. Their gun muzzles pointed forward. “What the hell are these?” Zhang Mang looked at the muskets in the hands of the Qinglin soldiers, a weapon he had never seen before. A flicker of uneasiness flashed through his heart, but it was quickly suppressed by greed. “Who cares! Charge! Crush them!” The chaotic army roared and rushed towards the Qinglin Army’s line, and had already entered the range of bows and arrows. However, the Qinglin Army did not shoot arrows. Wang Jian swung his hand down suddenly: “Fire!” “Bang bang bang bang bang—!” A burst of dense, popping bean like gunfire suddenly rang out! This sound was duller and more concentrated than that of ordinary muskets. The hundreds of soldiers at the forefront seemed to have hit an invisible wall. Their bodies suddenly froze, and then they fell like cut wheat. Blood instantly dyed the yellow earth red. “ah !” Sharp screams echoed across the battlefield. The chaotic troops behind were stunned by the sudden attack. They had never seen such sharp firearms. “This is magic! This is magic!” Some soldiers shouted in horror. Zhang Mang’s face also changed drastically. He watched helplessly as his bravest men suffered heavy losses in a round of volleys from the enemy. “No retreat! Charge! We will win if we charge!” Zhang Mang roared at the top of his lungs, waving his sword, trying to stabilize his position. However, the Qinglin Army’s second round of volleys arrived. “Bang bang bang bang bang—!” There was another scene of chaos. Then came the third round, the fourth round… The soldiers of the Qinglin Army were like sophisticated machines, loading, aiming, and shooting in one smooth motion. The advantages of the percussion cap rifle were fully demonstrated at this moment. The bullets rained down like raindrops, plowing a bloody alley in the chaotic army. The charging momentum of the rebel army was completely curbed. The people in the front row wanted to retreat, but the people in the back row were still pushing forward without knowing why. The whole formation was in chaos. “Artillery! High explosive grenades, three hundred steps ahead, covering fire!” Wang Jian ordered again. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” Several earth shattering explosions were heard, and the artillery behind the Qinglin Army roared. Several shells whistled and landed precisely in the densest area of the chaotic army. “Boom—!” The violent explosion was deafening, flames shot into the sky, and debris and broken limbs flew everywhere. Every time a shell landed, it would create a huge gap, instantly tearing the surrounding chaotic troops into pieces. Thick smoke and the pungent smell of blood filled the air. This was no longer a battle, but a one sided massacre. “Oh my god! Thunder! It’s thunder!” “Run! Run!” The chaotic army completely collapsed. Where had they ever seen such a scene? The power of the shrapnel shells was no different from divine punishment in their eyes. They dropped their weapons, cried for their parents, turned around and ran away, wishing their parents had not given them two more legs. Zhang Mang was so frightened that his horse jumped wildly at the sound of the cannon. He no longer cared about gold, silver, treasures, or beautiful women, and turned his horse around to escape. “Cavalry! Attack!” Wang Jian ordered coldly. The Qinglin Army cavalry, which had been ready for a long time, rushed out from both wings like arrows, with their sabers flashing coldly as they chased after the fleeing troops. On the battlefield, there was widespread grief. In less than an hour, the tens of thousands of rebels were completely routed. The captives knelt in surrender, trembling in fear, while those who fled were caught up by the cavalry and most were killed. The leader Zhang Mang was caught up by Wang Jian while fleeing and was shot down from his horse and beheaded on the spot. Wang Jian’s expression was expressionless as he ordered, “Clear the battlefield, gather the prisoners, and continue advancing!” The soldiers of Qinglin Guard moved swiftly, cleaning up the battlefield quickly and tying up the prisoners. The whole process was efficient and cold, without any drag. This battle is just a microcosm of the Qinglin Army’s attack. Wherever the Qinglin Army passed, those self righteous bandits who were entrenched in a certain area were often defeated by the vanguard troops without even seeing the main force of the Qinglin Army. Their earthen walls and wooden forts were as fragile as paper under the bombardment of the Qinglin Army’s new armor piercing shells. More importantly, after the military occupation, the administrative team of Qinglin County quickly followed up. Wherever they arrived, Song Qinghe and Li Dequan would immediately implement the policies they had already formulated. Opening the granaries to release food and provide relief to the victims was the first step. Large amounts of food were continuously transported from Qinglin County, giving the starving people hope of survival for the first time. Then came the “work for relief” program, which organized unemployed refugees to repair roads, dredge water conservancy projects, and strengthen city defenses. This not only solved the refugees’ livelihood problems, but also improved local infrastructure. At the same time, we cracked down severely on local tyrants and evil gentry, liquidated their illegal industries, and distributed land to landless and land poor farmers. Village rules and regulations began to be established, and militia teams were also organized to maintain local public security. Most of the grassroots officials sent from Qinglin County came from poor backgrounds, were well aware of the sufferings of the people, and were fair and honest in their work, which was in stark contrast to the greedy officials of the past. The people were surprised to find that these “rebel” troops not only did not burn, kill or loot, but instead brought them food, order and a way to survive. “Oh, my Lord!” “Mr. Lin is truly a living Bodhisattva!” Such calls were heard one after another in the newly occupied counties. The people’s hearts are turning to him at a speed visible to the naked eye. In just half a month, Nanyang County and Wanshui County, two counties ravaged by war and famine, fell under the control of the Qinglin Army. The flags of the Qinglin Army were planted in every city in these two counties. Chapter 323: Two Counties Start Half a month later. Qinglin County Magistrate’s Mansion, meeting hall. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, and Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, Zhang Fuan and others were all present. The atmosphere was solemn but with a hint of excitement that was difficult to conceal. “Tell me about the specific results of this expedition.” Lin Xiao looked calmly and gestured to Sun Mingde and Wang Jian. Sun Mingde grinned and spoke first in a loud voice, “Brother Xiao, this fight was such a pleasure! The so called Huang Tian Army and the various bandits entrenched in Nanyang and Wanshui counties were simply no match for us!” He gestured, spit flying. “As soon as our Qinglin Army showed up, those troops were like paper! Especially with our new muskets and shrapnel shells. My goodness, Brother Wang Jian commanded the artillery brothers to fire a few volleys, and those bandit camps were blown to pieces! They had never seen such a scene before, they cried for their parents and ran away faster than rabbits!” Wang Jian added calmly, “Your Excellency, our army, spearheaded by new firearms and coordinated with infantry and cavalry, is advancing rapidly. The Huang Tian army, claimed to number in the tens of thousands, is in reality a motley rabble. They were completely routed by our first volley of musket fire and artillery fire. Their leader, Zhang Mang, was beheaded on the battlefield. The remaining bandits entrenched in the two counties were terrified and either surrendered or fled, unable to organize an effective resistance.” “What are the casualties of our army?” Lin Xiao asked. This was one of the issues he was most concerned about. Wang Jian said, “Thanks to your Excellency’s great blessing, our army is well equipped, well trained, and equipped with the latest weaponry. In this battle, our Qinglin Army suffered 327 casualties and over 500 wounded, most of whom were killed in pursuit of defeated troops or while eliminating remaining bandits. Compared to the tens of thousands of enemies annihilated and nearly 50,000 captured, this is a resounding victory.” The death of over 300 men was indeed a small price to pay for capturing two counties and annihilating tens of thousands of enemy troops. Everyone was cheered up upon hearing this. Song Qinghe took over the conversation, holding a compiled document in his hand. “Sir, according to preliminary statistics, the newly incorporated Nanyang and Wanshui counties originally had a population of approximately 1.3 million. Due to the previous wars and drought, there were many refugees, so the actual population is around 900,000. The two counties have vast lands, and although much of it is barren, the foundation is still there. We have confiscated the granaries of the rebels and the traitors, and have recovered approximately 800,000 dan of grain, as well as countless supplies and equipment.” Li Dequan added, “Brother Xiao, the people of these two counties have suffered terribly! They’ve been ravaged by those rebellious soldiers. When our troops arrived and opened the granaries to distribute the grain, they thought they were heavenly soldiers, and many people knelt on the spot. The people are on our side!” Lin Xiao nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face: “Taking it down is the first step, and managing it well is the key.” He looked at Song Qinghe and Li Dequan, “Qinghe, Uncle Dequan, the subsequent civil affairs, appeasement, and spring plowing preparations are now left to you. Restore order in the two counties as soon as possible so that the people can live and work in peace. We must continue to implement our policies so that the newly surrendered people can truly feel the benefits of following our Qinglin County.” “Please rest assured, sir!” Song Qinghe and Li Dequan responded in unison. Lin Xiao turned to Sun Mingde and Wang Jian and said, “Militarily, we must eliminate the remaining bandits and consolidate the defense line. At the same time, we must recruit young and strong men from the two newly occupied counties, train militias, and assist in maintaining public order. The training of the new recruits must also be kept up as soon as possible.” “Understood!” The two of them accepted the order. Finally, Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Fuan and said, “Fuan, the production of new muskets and artillery shells in the military workshop cannot be stopped. They must be given priority.” Zhang Fuan’s dark face flushed with excitement: “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! As long as we have enough materials, we will have endless business!” “Alright.” Lin Xiao stood up and looked around at everyone. “Nanyang and Wanshui have been submerged. The territory under the jurisdiction of Qinglin County has reached four counties with a population of nearly three million. The foundation is solid. Next, we need to accumulate strength and wait for the times to change.” Hearing this, everyone was filled with pride and responded in unison, “We will follow your orders, sir!” At the same time, thousands of miles away in the capital of Great Zhou, in the imperial palace. The Minister of War stepped forward and reported, “Your Majesty, since Your Majesty graciously permitted local governments to independently organize militias to suppress bandits and maintain peace, the rebellion has gradually subsided. Most prefectures and cities report that local armed forces are now able to effectively control the situation.” Li Yan, who was sitting on the dragon throne, listened with a hint of pride on his face. “Well, very good.” An imperial censor suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, I wonder what the current situation is between the Huangtian Army and Qinglin County?” As soon as these words were spoken, many officials showed an expression of watching a good show. Li Yan’s spirits lifted, a smile curled up at the corner of his mouth, and he gloated: “Then Qinglin County, I’m afraid it can’t withstand the attack of tens of thousands of rebels?” At this moment, a palace warrior hurried into the hall, holding high a wax sealed urgent report, and knelt down and said, “Your Majesty! Urgent military information from eight hundred miles away!” The hall suddenly became quiet. Zhou Mubai stood among the officials and suddenly had a bad feeling. Li Yan’s smile didn’t fade, and he waved his hand casually: “Read it!” A eunuch took the urgent report and was about to open it, but Zhou Mubai spoke first, “Your Majesty, it would be best if this old minister reviewed this military information first.” Li Yan frowned impatiently, but nodded. Zhou Mubai took the urgent report, opened the sealing wax with trembling hands, and quickly read it. After reading only a few lines, the blood color instantly drained from his old face and turned pale. Fine beads of cold sweat oozed from his forehead, and the hand holding the report began to tremble uncontrollably. “Prime Minister Zhou, why are you so panicked?” Seeing this, Li Yan’s joy was gradually replaced by doubt. All the civil and military officials in the court looked at Zhou Mubai curiously. Zhou Mubai’s lips trembled a few times, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out, and he just kept shaking his head. “Bring it here and show it to me!” Li Yan lost his patience and shouted sternly. The eunuch hurriedly took the report from Zhou Mubai and presented it respectfully to Li Yan. Li Yan began to report with some displeasure. “Urgent report: Lin Xiao of Qinglin County recently dispatched his troops and launched an offensive. His soldiers are equipped with unprecedented firearms. Their guns can fire continuously, making a sound like popping beans. Anyone hit within a hundred steps will either be killed or crippled. They also have massive cannons that explode with a thunderous roar, destroying everything for several feet, and turning everything they touch into dust…” After reading this, the smile on Li Yan’s face completely froze. The report continued, “…the Huangtian Army, numbering tens of thousands, collapsed at the first blow of the Qinglin Army’s firearms, suffering heavy casualties. Their leader, Zhang Mang, was beheaded on the battlefield. The Qinglin Army advanced with unstoppable force, conquering the entire Nanyang and Wanshui counties within half a month. The rebels were utterly routed wherever they passed. Reports indicate that the Qinglin Army maintained strict discipline, committed no crime, and even opened granaries to distribute food and appease the refugees, winning the hearts of the people of both counties…” “Bang!” Li Yan slammed the report onto the dragon table, his chest heaving violently, his eyes bloodshot, and veins throbbing on his forehead! “Fake! This is absolutely fake!” He pointed at the report on the ground and roared at the entire court, “It’s nonsense! Absurd!” For a moment, the hall was utterly silent, a pin drop audible to the ear. Everyone was terrified by the emperor’s wrath, their heads bowed, afraid to speak. Li Yan panted heavily, pointed at the palace warrior who was delivering the newspaper, and roared, “Come here! Drag this messenger who lied about military intelligence and is shaking the morale of the army out and execute him!” Two warriors in front of the palace immediately stepped forward and dragged the warrior who reported the news away. No matter how he cried and begged for mercy, it was of no use. Chapter 324 Artificial Rainfall Zhou Mubai sighed, then finally took a step forward, his voice hoarse, “Your Majesty, this matter… is of no small importance. The firearms mentioned in the report are terrifyingly powerful. If it’s true, the Qinglin Army’s combat power is probably…” “Shut up!” Li Yan interrupted him abruptly, his eyes bloodshot. “What new firearms?! That’s all that traitor Lin Xiao’s deceptive lies, trying to confuse people! I don’t believe it! I don’t believe a single word of it!” He gasped, his chest heaving violently, and pointed at His Highness and his ministers: “You are not allowed to believe it either! Anyone who dares to mention this matter again will be guilty of the same crime as the messenger!” After saying this, he suddenly swung his sleeves and without announcing his departure from the court, he stood up from the dragon throne and walked quickly towards the back hall, muttering to himself, “Fake, all fake… My wooden bird is almost done, it’s more powerful than any firearm…” Looking at the emperor’s almost insane back, all the officials looked at each other and left the court one after another. “Alas…” Zhou Mubai sighed, his hunched figure looking even older. After all the officials had left, Zhou Mubai did not leave immediately, but walked towards the back hall. In the imperial study, Li Yan was fiddling with a pile of wooden parts anxiously, while several young eunuchs were waiting nervously beside him. “Your Majesty.” Zhou Mubai’s voice sounded at the door. Li Yan didn’t even raise his head, but waved his hand impatiently: “What’s the matter, Prime Minister Zhou? I’m tired today. We can discuss the affairs of state tomorrow.” Zhou Mubai walked into the imperial study and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, I am not here for the affairs of state, but for the Qinglin Army’s new firearms.” Hearing the word “firearm,” the wooden block in Li Yan’s hand fell to the ground with a “crack.” He suddenly raised his head and glared at Zhou Mubai: “Didn’t I tell you not to mention this matter again? Do you think my words are just wind on your ears?” “Your Majesty, calm down!” Zhou Mubai knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. “That report may have been exaggerated, but there’s always a reason. Lin Xiao was able to occupy Qinglin at such a young age, and now he’s taken two counties in a row. It wouldn’t have been so easy if he didn’t have someone to rely on. If we don’t prepare for the firearms issue soon, we’ll definitely suffer in the future!” Li Yan looked at the old minister kneeling on the ground, weeping bitterly. His irritation grew even worse, but a sense of inexplicable fear also rose in his heart. He rubbed his swollen forehead and said tiredly, “Then according to Prime Minister Zhou, what should we do?” Zhou Mubai’s spirits lifted, and he quickly said, “Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to send someone to secretly learn the craftsmanship of that firearm. Such a powerful weapon must not be possessed by Lin Xiao alone!” Li Yan was silent for a moment, as if thinking. “This matter…” Li Yan let out a long breath, “Let’s leave it to Prime Minister Zhou to handle. I’m tired and need to rest.” After saying that, he no longer paid attention to Zhou Mubai and picked up the wood blocks on the ground, as if that was his real kingdom. Zhou Mubai looked at the emperor, kowtowed, and said in a deep voice: “This old minister… obeys your order.” Qinglin County, the backyard of the County Magistrate’s Mansion. Lin Xiao came back from the conference room and went to see the two little guys, Lin Xin and Lin Rui. The two children had just woken up, babbling and stretching out their little hands to be held. Lin Xiao held one in each arm, rocking them in his arms, a gentle smile on his face. “Husband, thank you for your hard work.” Sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong came forward and looked at Lin Xiao with heartache. “It’s okay.” Lin Xiao smiled and shook his head, looking away. Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang and Zhang Wanqing all had bulging bellies, their faces beaming with maternal radiance. “How are you feeling lately?” Lin Xiao asked gently. “Everything is fine. Brother Xiao, thank you for your concern.” Mrs. Lin replied softly, her eyes full of happiness. Aunt Wang and Zhang Wanqing also nodded slightly. Lin Xiao spoke to them for a few more words, told them to take good care of themselves, and then let them go back to rest. After they left, Pei Xueyi came over with a bowl of ginseng soup. She was wearing a light blue silk dress today, which made her look more slender and gentle. “Husband, drink some ginseng soup to nourish your body.” Pei Xueyi handed the bowl of soup to Lin Xiao and said softly. Lin Xiao took the bowl of soup, but didn’t drink it immediately. Instead, he took Pei Xueyi’s hand and asked her to sit next to him. His eyes wandered over her delicate face: “Xueyi, you’ve lost some weight recently, but are you working too hard?” Pei Xueyi’s pretty face flushed slightly, and she shook her head: “No need to worry.” Lin Xiao smelled the faint fragrance coming from her body, and his heart moved. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “That night, you have to work hard.” Pei Xueyi’s cheeks turned red instantly. She hit Lin Xiao lightly and said angrily, “You are not serious again.” Her shy look made Lin Xiao’s heart burn. [Ding! Pei Xueyi’s favorability increased by 4, currently at 31 points.] Liu Ruyan also came over. She had a cold demeanor, but her gaze towards Lin Xiao was always gentle. “Those two counties are new, and the affairs are complicated. You should pay more attention to your health.” Lin Xiao took her into his arms and felt the faint fragrance on her body: “With Ruyan’s care, there will be no problem.” He kissed her smooth forehead lightly. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by +3, currently at 44 points.] Sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu also came over with cut fruits and vegetables. When they saw Lin Xiao, they bowed respectfully. “Young Master, have some fruits.” Yan Jing placed the fruit plate on the stone table. Lin Xiao smiled and nodded: “You guys sit down too.” The two sisters responded obediently, but just stood aside. Lin Xiao looked at the two increasingly pretty little girls, especially when they looked at him, the undisguised admiration and dependence in their clear eyes made his heart warm. He reached out and touched their heads, and said gently: “You are still growing, you need to supplement your nutrition, so that you can…” He didn’t finish what he said next. But Yan Jing and Yan Susu both understood and their cheeks blushed slightly. [Yan Jing’s favorability is 19+4, and the current favorability is 23.] [Yan Susu’s favorability is 21+5, and the current favorability is 26.] A series of notifications to increase favorability made Lin Xiao in a good mood, and he could draw the lottery again. After chatting and laughing with the girls for a while, Lin Xiao returned to his study alone. He suddenly thought, “System, draw a lottery!” The familiar lottery roulette appeared in Lin Xiao’s mind, and the pointer spun rapidly. After a moment, the turntable slowly stopped. [Ding! Congratulations to the host, you’ve received a reward: a complete set of artificial rainfall technology (from primitive methods to modern silver iodide catalysis technology)!] “Artificial rainfall technology?!” Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up and he was ecstatic! This is really like giving someone a pillow when they feel sleepy! The drought continues. Although Qinglin County has water conservancy facilities and spiritual springs, and is not currently short of water, the two newly occupied counties, as well as the wider region, are in urgent need of rain. If artificial rainfall could be mastered, its impact on alleviating the drought and stabilizing the people would be immeasurable! He quickly opened the technical information provided by the system, which included not only relatively primitive artificial rainmaking methods such as using smoke and burning special plants, but also the modern artificial rainmaking principles and operating procedures of using flares, anti aircraft guns or aircraft to spread catalysts such as silver iodide into the clouds! Although some advanced spreading tools and precise catalyst ratios may be difficult to achieve perfectly due to the limitations of the current industrial level, those relatively simple and effective methods alone are enough to alleviate the drought to a great extent! “Good! That’s great!” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but exclaim, the joy in his heart was beyond words. He wants to study this “artificial rainmaking technology” carefully and put it to use as soon as possible. Chapter 325 Ascending to Heaven to Sow Rain The next day, just after dawn, Lin Xiao called Zhang Fuan. “Fuan, there is a new job.” Lin Xiao went straight to the point and handed over a brief drawing and instructions that he had compiled overnight. Zhang Fuan took it and went to the window to examine it carefully in the morning light. The drawings showed some devices he had never seen before, as well as some chemical terms and symbols, which confused him completely. However, the four big words “artificial rainfall” instantly brightened up his dark face. “Brother Xiao, could this… could this be a way to make it rain?” Zhang Fuan’s voice trembled with disbelief. Lin Xiao nodded: “That’s about what I mean. The weather is unpredictable, but we can find a way to help it.” He pointed to a diagram and explained, “This method is called ‘Inducing Clouds to Transform Rain,’ and the key lies in a powder called ‘silver iodide.’ We need to use a special device to spread this powder into the appropriate cloud layer, which will cause the water vapor in the clouds to condense into rain.” He gave an easy to understand explanation of the preparation principles and spreading methods of silver iodide, combining them with the existing technologies in current military workshops. For example, hot air balloons are used as “aircraft” to lift special “flare bombs” or spreaders carrying silver iodide into the sky. Zhang Fuan’s eyes lit up when he heard this. He was already extremely proud of being able to create a weapon to kill the enemy. Now, if he could create a magical weapon that could control the wind and rain, that would be simply… He didn’t dare to think about it. “Brother Xiao, I’ll do whatever you say! I promise to make this ‘silver iodide’ for you!” Zhang Fuan patted his chest with a look of determination. “Okay!” Lin Xiao said, “This matter is of great importance. Select a group of your most reliable craftsmen and set aside a dedicated area within the military workshop. I will have the necessary materials, such as silver and iodine, allocated as quickly as possible. The hot air balloon will also need to be modified, with a flare launcher or a dispersal device installed. I will personally lead the effort and ensure safety.” Lin Xiao paused and continued, “Also, the ‘flame bomb’ must be improved. It should be able to evenly distribute the silver iodide powder instead of simply exploding. As for the relatively primitive smoke rain enhancement method, it should also be prepared. It’s always good to have a backup plan.” “Understood!” Zhang Fuan accepted the order, his eyes full of enthusiasm. Being able to participate in such a “world changing” feat, he felt full of strength. In the next few days, the military workshop in Qinglin County became extremely busy. Lin Xiao personally took charge, and together with Zhang Fuan and a dozen of the most strict minded and best skilled old craftsmen, they worked day and night. The process of refining silver iodide is quite complicated. The silver must first be dissolved, then reacted with iodide, purified, and ground into an extremely fine powder. Lin Xiao solved many technical problems with the detailed information provided by the system. Meanwhile, several specially modified hot air balloons were ready. Their hanging baskets were reinforced, and small, adjustable launch tubes were installed next to them, specifically for launching special flares. Another option is to hang a large cloth bag filled with silver iodide powder directly below the hanging basket, with a controllable opening at the bottom, just like sowing seeds. The craftsmen were full of awe for these new gadgets. They didn’t know what earth shattering effect these things would have when put together, but since it was Brother Xiao who ordered it, it must be a very important matter. While Lin Xiao was busy preparing for artificial rainfall, the two counties of Nanyang and Wanshui, which were newly incorporated into the jurisdiction of Qinglin County, were also restoring order in an orderly manner under the leadership of Song Qinghe and Li Dequan. Wanshui County, Qingshui County. Zhao Laosi, carrying a brand new shovel, was on his way to dredge the river. He was an honest farmer who had spent most of his life digging in the soil for a living. During the time when Huang Tianjun was in rebellion, he fled with his wife and two half grown boys. He watched his neighbors die of starvation and disease, and he almost died himself. He would never forget that half a month ago, he first heard that Huang Tianjun was driven away by a group called “Qinglin Army”, and then soldiers in black uniforms entered the city. They originally thought it was another robbery, but they didn’t expect that the soldiers not only did not steal their last bit of food to survive, but also set up a porridge stall at the city gate. The porridge was so thick that you could see your reflection in it, but there were actually rice grains in it! What made him even more unbelievable was that after the Qinglin Army entered the city, they quickly posted a notice to reassure the people. It was said that the county magistrate, Lord Lin, had ordered the granaries to be opened to release grain to provide relief to the victims. Afterwards, they really saw carts of food being transported out of the city and distributed to the refugees. When Zhao Laosi’s wife received those buckets of life saving food, she burst into tears on the spot. He could not hold back his tears either, and took his two children to kowtow to the military officer who distributed the food. The military officer helped them up and said, “This is the kindness of County Magistrate Lin. If you want to thank someone, thank him! Live well, and your life will be better in the future!” Next, the government began to recruit people to participate in the “work for relief” program, building roads, digging canals, and strengthening city defenses. Not only were they provided with two full meals a day, but they would also receive extra food or copper coins if they did a good job. Zhao Laosi signed up without hesitation. Who would want to be a refugee if they could earn a living by working hard? Now, he can have a full stomach every day, and the two boys are also assigned some light work, and their faces are gradually regaining color. He heard from his fellow villagers who came from Qinglin County that under the rule of County Magistrate Lin, taxes were light and the government was fair, and as long as one was willing to work hard, one could live a good life. It is also said that County Magistrate Lin has supernatural powers and can grow sweet potatoes and potatoes with a yield of several thousand kilograms per mu, so every household in Qinglin County has surplus food. “Dad, the steamed buns we distributed today are still hot!” Zhao Laosi’s wife came over with a cloth bag containing lunch she had just received from the construction site: two cornmeal steamed buns and a bowl of vegetable porridge. Zhao Laosi took the steamed bread and took a big bite. Although it was rough, it was enough to fill him up. He watched the wrinkles on his wife’s face gradually smooth out, and his heart was filled with emotion: “This day is something I never dared to imagine before. County Magistrate Lin is truly a living Bodhisattva, a great Lord of Heaven!” “That’s right,” Zhao Laosi’s wife also sighed, “If it weren’t for County Magistrate Lin, our family would have starved to death long ago. Just like this day… Alas, I don’t know when it will rain, the ground is cracked.” She looked at the gray sky with a hint of worry in her eyes. Zhao Laosi also looked up at the sky. The sun was scorching the earth, and there was not a trace of wind. He sighed, “Yes, if it doesn’t rain, even if we divide the land, the seedlings we plant will die. No matter how capable County Magistrate Lin is, he can’t prevent God from not raining!” He prayed silently in his heart, praying that God would open his eyes and bring a life saving rain to this thirsty land. Chapter 326: Offering Yiyang In sharp contrast to the peaceful and stable situation in several counties under the jurisdiction of Qinglin County is the neighboring Hongnong County, which is still under the jurisdiction of the Great Zhou court. Hongnong County, Yiyang County. The streets were sparsely populated, most of them pale and thin, with hollow eyes. At the city gate, a few yamen runners in uniform leaned listlessly against the wall, too lazy even to move to check on passersby. In the back hall of the county government office, the county magistrate Sun Maocai, who was bloated and distended, was sighing over a table of food and wine. Beside him, County Lieutenant Zhang Biao said carefully, “Sir, these days are really hard to endure. Those unruly people outside the city are crying out for food every day. I think they are just planning a rebellion!” Sun Maocai slammed the table, his flesh trembling. “Rebellion? Give them the courage! Are the imperial army vegetarians? But this awful weather, if it doesn’t rain, my achievements will be… Alas!” Little did he know that at this moment, in an inconspicuous courtyard in the city, several people were sitting together, discussing something so serious that it could cost him his life. The leader was a man in his early forties, with a thin face but a firm look in his eyes. His name was Wang Mingyuan. He was once a well known scholar in Yi Yang County. After failing in the imperial examinations many times, he taught at home and was quite prestigious among his neighbors. “Everyone,” Wang Mingyuan said in a low voice, but every word was clear, “you all have seen the state of the world today. The court is corrupt, the officials are corrupt, and the taxes are getting heavier day by day. This natural disaster has made things even worse. Sun Baopi only cares about his own enjoyment, and has never cared about the lives of us?” Next to him was a burly man named Li Tiezhu, the leader of the hunters in a village on the outskirts of the city. He usually took the villagers hunting and also organized some people to guard against bandits. He said in a muffled voice, “Mr. Wang is right! A few days ago, Sun Baopi sent people to the countryside to demand food, claiming it was military rations. Damn it, we’re practically starving to death ourselves, so how could we possibly give him food? Several households couldn’t pay, and those lackeys had their legs broken!” “Yes, if this continues, we will all starve to death!” “I heard that the neighboring Nanyang and Wanshui counties have been taken over by that Qinglin County Magistrate Lin. Life is much better over there!” “I heard about it too! My third cousin’s second brother in law fled here from Nanyang and said that the Lin County Magistrate opened the granaries to distribute grain and also implemented some kind of ‘work for relief’ program. As long as you’re willing to work, you can have enough to eat!” A young man’s eyes lit up: “Is this true? Isn’t County Magistrate Lin a traitor?” Wang Mingyuan sighed. “Rebels? What do you mean by rebels? Those who let the people starve to death while they indulge in wine and meat, aren’t they also traitors? I’ve heard that the Qinglin Army has strict military discipline and doesn’t harm anyone. They occupied Nanyang and Wanshui, but instead of burning, killing, or looting, they quickly restored order and comforted the refugees. More importantly, they distributed real life saving food!” He paused, looking at the crowd. “You know, back in Qinglin County, not only is there food, but taxes are also low. They build roads and water conservancy projects, and the officials are fair and don’t take bribes. Villages don’t even need to elect council members or establish militias; they can decide their own affairs. Isn’t life like that a hundred times better than it is now?” Li Tiezhu slapped his thigh and said, “A hundred times stronger! Mr. Wang, tell me how we’re going to do it! I, Li Tiezhu, will follow you!” Wang Mingyuan’s eyes flashed with determination: “If Sun Baopi won’t give us a way out, we’ll find a way out ourselves! We can’t let him continue to wreak havoc on Yiyang County!” Everyone was cheered up when they heard this. “Mr. Wang, we all listen to you!” “Fuck him!” Wang Mingyuan pressed his hand, signaling everyone to calm down. “This matter requires long term consideration. Although Sun Papi only has a hundred or so yamen runners under his command, he still has some wealthy gentry guarding the city. We must first contact the other suffering citizens in the city, as well as those gentry who are dissatisfied with Sun Papi. Brother Li, you will be responsible for contacting the young and strong people in the villages outside the city and selecting reliable ones.” “Okay!” Li Tiezhu replied. “Remember, our goal is not to become an official and make money, but to enable the people of Yiyang County to survive and live a good life. Just like… just like Qinglin County.” Wang Mingyuan’s voice was filled with yearning. Over the next few days, undercurrents surged within Yiyang County. Leveraging his prestige, Wang Mingyuan secretly contacted numerous scholars and small businessmen dissatisfied with the current situation. Li Tiezhu, on the other hand, traveled outside the city, organizing those farmers who had been driven into desperation. The opportunity will come soon. On this day, the county magistrate Sun Maocai ordered every household to pay grain and silver in the name of collecting taxes from the court, and to pay the full amount within three days, otherwise they would be severely punished. This was undoubtedly the last straw that broke the camel’s back. “Damn it! This Sun Baopi is trying to force us to death!” Public resentment is boiling over. That night, the moon was dark and the wind was strong. Li Tiezhu led hundreds of farmers armed with clubs and hoes and quietly made their way to the east gate of the county town. Inside the city, Wang Mingyuan also organized hundreds of citizens, armed with kitchen knives and carrying poles, to gather at the designated location. “Do it!” With a low shout from Li Tiezhu, several gatekeepers who had been bribed long ago quietly opened the city gate. “Kill the dog officer!” “Follow Mr. Wang, there is a way to survive!” Angry people flocked to the county government office like a tide. The county yamen runners were used to being arrogant and domineering, and had never seen such a scene before. Most people fled in panic, and the few who resisted were knocked to the ground by the angry crowd. County Magistrate Sun Maocai was still dreaming sweet dreams while hugging his concubine in the side room when someone rushed in and dragged him out of bed. “Have mercy! Have mercy! My dear friends, I… I am just following orders!” Sun Maocai was so scared that he peed his pants and knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. “Whose orders are you following? Your orders to rip people off the land?” Li Tiezhu kicked him over. The people rushed into the county government granary and looked at the mountains of grain with tears in their eyes. These were all the people’s blood and sweat that they had plundered from their mouths! “Burn him!” someone shouted. Wang Mingyuan stopped him in time: “No! This food is everyone’s lifeline! We will settle all of Sun Baopi’s crimes one by one. But now, the most important thing is to maintain order in the city. Then, we will go and ask for help from County Magistrate Lin!” “Ask County Magistrate Lin?” Everyone was stunned. Wang Mingyuan said loudly, “That’s right! We’ve occupied the county and killed the corrupt officials, but the imperial court will never let us off the hook. Can we hold Yiyang on our own? Can we ensure a good life for everyone? No! Only by joining forces with Qinglin County and under the governance of County Magistrate Lin can we truly find a way out for Yiyang County!” He looked at everyone with a sincere gaze, “I’ve already made inquiries. Lord Song and Lord Li of Qinglin County are both good officials who work for the people. County Magistrate Lin loves his people like his own children. If we take the initiative to submit and offer Yiyang, County Magistrate Lin will definitely accept us!” Li Tiezhu also said, “Mr. Wang is right! Instead of messing around on our own, why not follow the wise? I’m jealous of the days in Qinglin County! We could have lived that kind of life!” When everyone heard this, they immediately felt that it made sense. They had long heard of the reputation of Qinglin County; it was simply the legendary paradise. “Yes! Join County Magistrate Lin!” “Please ask Mr. Wang to take us there!” The next morning, Wang Mingyuan wrote a heartfelt letter to the people of Yiyang and posted it in various places in the city, explaining the reasons for the uprising and future plans. At the same time, he selected several smart and capable people, brought a surrender letter with the seal of Yi Yang County, and a booklet that detailed the household registration, land, and warehouses of Yi Yang County, and he and Li Tiezhu led the team personally, and rushed to Qinglin County at full speed. The Qinglin Army soldiers at the city gate were neatly dressed and had sharp eyes. Although the inspection was strict, they were not difficult. Wang Mingyuan handed over his name card, stating that he had an urgent matter and wanted to see the official in charge of Qinglin County. Soon, they were taken to a side hall in the county magistrate’s office to wait. Soon, an elderly official walked in. It was Li Dequan. “You all come from Yiyang County. What do you have to tell me?” Li Dequan went straight to the point. Wang Mingyuan quickly stood up and respectfully presented the surrender letter and booklet with both hands. “Your Excellency! We are from Yiyang County, Hongnong Commandery. Unable to endure the exploitation of corrupt officials, the county magistrate, Sun Maocai, imposed exorbitant taxes, leaving the people living in dire straits. Left with no other options, we led the people in rebellion, executed the corrupt official, Sun Maocai, and occupied Yiyang County.” He took a deep breath and said solemnly, “The people of Yiyang have long admired the benevolence of County Magistrate Lin and long for the protection of Qinglin County. We now present Yiyang County’s surrender letter and household registration atlas, and earnestly request County Magistrate Lin to accept the hundreds of thousands of people from Yiyang, so that we too can enjoy his grace and live a peaceful life! We are willing to serve Qinglin County with unwavering devotion, even if it means death!” After saying that, Wang Mingyuan and Li Tiezhu were about to kneel down. Li Dequan quickly supported them, “There’s no need for this, you two! This is a serious matter, and I need to report it to the county governor immediately. You’ve had a long journey, so rest here and wait for news.” Chapter 327 Hongnong County Li Dequan walked hurriedly, with some excitement and a hint of solemnity on his face, and walked quickly into the study of the county magistrate’s mansion. Lin Xiao was looking down at a map of Qinglin County, where some recently planned water conservancy facilities were marked with circles and dots in red ink. He looked up when he heard the noise. “Brother Xiao, the representatives of Yiyang County, Hongnong Commandery, Wang Mingyuan and Li Tiezhu, brought this.” Li Dequan handed the surrender letter and household registration album presented by Wang Mingyuan to Lin Xiao with both hands, with a hint of disbelief in his tone. “They…they killed Sun Maocai, the magistrate of Yiyang County, and then, they brought all the people of the county with them, saying they wanted to submit to our Qinglin County!” Lin Xiao took the surrender letter and raised his eyebrows slightly. Yiyang County voluntarily surrendered? This was a pleasant surprise. He unfolded the list, glanced through it quickly, and then flipped through the household registration album with detailed records. “The people of Yiyang, unable to bear the exploitation of corrupt officials, spontaneously rebelled and killed the evil officials. This was a righteous act.” Lin Xiao put down the booklet and said calmly , “Since they trust us in Qinglin County and are willing to submit, there is no reason for us to turn them away.” He looked at Li Dequan and said, “Uncle Dequan, please settle Wang Mingyuan and the others first. Tell them that we have taken over Yiyang County. I will remember their righteous act. I will let Song Qinghe arrange the subsequent takeover matters.” “Oh, good!” Li Dequan smiled. He knew that this meant that tens of thousands of people would be able to live a good life again. Li Dequan took his orders and left. Lin Xiao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze returning to the map. Hongnong County borders Nanyang County, and once Yiyang County is incorporated, Qinglin County’s sphere of influence will officially extend into this new area. This wasn’t his initiative to expand, but rather something that was offered to him by the other party. The news that Yiyang County surrendered the city spread quickly throughout Hongnong County as if it had wings. This has really stirred up a hornet’s nest. Those counties that were already struggling under the harsh rule of the court and natural and man made disasters became more interested when they heard that the people of Yi Yang had not only successfully overthrown corrupt officials but also found a powerful backer like Qinglin County. “Have you heard? The people of Yiyang County killed the corrupt official and surrendered to Lord Lin of Qinglin County!” “Is it true? Did Master Lin accept it?” “It’s absolutely true! My seventh great uncle’s third nephew is in Yiyang. He said that notices to reassure the people have been posted throughout the city, and officials from Qinglin County have already gone to take over. They also said that they will open the granaries to release grain!” “Oh my God! Under Lord Lin’s rule, taxes are low, there’s food to eat, and the government doesn’t bully us. What a life…tsk tsk!” “Our county magistrate is no better than that Sun Baopi! If this continues, we will all starve to death!” “Yeah! We’re going to die anyway, so we might as well give it a try!” For a time, people in Hongnong County were in unrest. The first county that couldn’t hold back was Fengchi County, which is adjacent to Yi Yang. Several gentry in the county who could not bear the exploitation got together and contacted some young and strong people who were also struggling to make a living. They sneaked into the county government office at night and tied up the county magistrate who was domineering. Then they sent people on horseback at full speed that night, carrying the county magistrate’s seal and a letter of surrender, to rush to Qinglin County crying and begging Lord Lin to take them in. When Lin Xiao got the news, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. How could this have a chain reaction? Before he could make a decision, in the next few days, Lushi County, Xin’an County, and Shan County in Hongnong County… Representatives from one county after another, carrying blood written letters, surrender letters, and even tied up corrupt officials, flocked to the Qinglin County Magistrate’s Office. They have only one request: Lord Lin, please have mercy on them, accept them, and give them a chance to live! “Collect.” Lin Xiao’s answer was still simple. In just less than a month, the entire Hongnong County voluntarily surrendered the city! When Song Qinghe came to report to Lin Xiao with the sorted surrender list of each county in Hongnong County, as well as the preliminary statistics of population and land area, even though Lin Xiao was usually calm, he couldn’t help but laugh and cry. “Brother Xiao, this… this Hongnong County is practically delivered to our doorstep.” Song Qinghe’s tone was filled with amazement. “A rough estimate is that the population has increased by nearly one million, and the land is even more vast.” Lin Xiao rubbed his forehead and looked at the large newly incorporated area on the map, feeling a lot of emotions in his heart. His original intention was to recuperate and consolidate his inner strength, but who would have thought that a huge pie would fall directly from the sky, an extremely huge one at that. “The will of the people is the general trend.” Lin Xiao sighed softly, “Since the people of Hongnong trust us, we must not let this trust down.” He pondered for a moment, “However, one cannot become fat in one bite. With such a large population and territory added, our officials, supplies, and food reserves are all facing tremendous pressure.” He looked at Song Qinghe and said, “Pass the order to temporarily stop accepting new surrenders. Tell them that it’s not that Qinglin County is unwilling to provide shelter, but rather that our army has limited manpower and resources. If we accept them hastily, we may not be able to govern them properly and will betray the people’s trust.” “Yes, sir.” Song Qinghe understood that this was the safest way. One should eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. Lin Xiao continued, “Also, send someone to spread the news… that Qinglin County has benefited from favorable weather, and that a gentle rain will fall soon. Let the people everywhere rest assured, there’s no need to panic, and there’s no need to rush to migrate. Just wait patiently, the rain will arrive soon, and it’s okay if you don’t join Qinglin County.” “Huh?” Song Qinghe was stunned when he heard that. Rain? Could this be predicted? He then bowed and replied, “I understand. I’ll make arrangements immediately.” The news that it was going to rain in Qinglin County quickly spread to the surrounding prefectures and counties that had not yet submitted. “Have you heard? County Magistrate Lin said it’s going to rain!” “Is this true? Can he control the heavens?” “Ah, who knows? But since County Magistrate Lin said so, maybe… maybe there really is something?” Most people did not believe it and just thought it was Qinglin County’s words to appease the people. This news, along with the intelligence about the fall of Hongnong County, was sent to the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty as quickly as possible. Inside the Golden Palace, Li Yan listened to the reports from the Minister of War and the officials of the Censorate, the muscles on his face twisted with anger. “Waste! All of them are waste!” Li Yan slammed the memorial in his hand to the ground and roared, “A mere Lin Xiao, a peasant traitor, can actually make my people abandon me! Do they still regard me as the Son of Heaven? Do they still respect the laws of the Great Zhou?” He pointed at the silent ministers below, seething with rage: “What’s with that? He talks about predicting the time of rain? That’s just nonsense! Does he want to be a god?! A bunch of fools, how dare they believe such nonsense! I think they are blind and confused!” The young emperor was so angry that he was shaking all over, his chest heaving violently, as if he was about to spew fire at any moment. The atmosphere in the hall was extremely depressing and no one dared to speak. Chapter 328: Rain from Heaven A few days later, all preparations for artificial rainfall were finally completed. Outside Qinglin County, on an open plain, dozens of specially modified hot air balloons stood quietly. The baskets are reinforced and equipped with special flamethrower tubes on the side. Some baskets also have cloth bags filled with silver iodide powder hanging underneath and have controllable openings at the bottom. Lin Xiao stood at the front, followed by core members including Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, and Zhang Fuan. “Brother Xiao, everything is ready!” Zhang Fuan’s dark face flushed red with excitement. He rubbed his hands from time to time, his eyes full of anticipation. Lin Xiao looked up at the sky. The clouds were quite thick, which was the right time. He nodded and said calmly, “Let’s get started.” With a command, the fuel of the hot air balloon was ignited, and the huge balloon slowly inflated under the action of the hot air, and then one by one rose from the ground and rose into the sky. On the ground, everyone held their breath and looked up at the spectacular sight. “All hot air balloons, proceed according to the plan. Once you reach the predetermined altitude, start sowing!” Lin Xiao gave the order through flag signals that had been prepared long ago. The hot air balloons rose to the designated cloud height one after another. “put!” As the flag bearer waved the flag again, some soldiers on the hot air balloon loaded special silver iodide flame bombs into the launch tube and lit the fuse. “Swoosh—swoosh—swoosh—” One after another, the flame bombs, leaving white trails, shot into the clouds and then exploded, spreading the silvery white powder evenly. Other hot air balloons opened the openings at the bottom of the cloth bags, and the silver iodide powder was like fine seeds, blown away by the wind and blended into the clouds. The whole process was tight and orderly. Time passed minute by minute, and the sky did not seem to change immediately. Sun Mingde was a little impatient and scratched his head: “Brother Xiao, is this… okay?” Lin Xiao’s eyes remained calm as he stared at the sky: “Wait and see.” After another stick of incense had passed, the sky, which was originally a little gloomy, seemed to have become even thicker with clouds and the color became much darker. Suddenly, Li Dequan pointed to the sky and exclaimed in surprise: “Look! The clouds! The clouds seem different!” Everyone looked intently and saw that there seemed to be some subtle changes at the edge of the clouds in the distance, as if water vapor was condensing. Suddenly, a drop of water fell, and then more and more drops of water fell from the sky… It’s raining… It’s really raining… Jiaoshi County. Wang Tiezhu squatted under the eaves of his house, looking at the cracked earth in the yard with a frown on his face. Beside him, his son Wang Gousheng also looked helpless. “Dad, if it doesn’t rain today, the seedlings we planted will probably die.” Wang Gousheng sighed. Wang Tiezhu puffed on his pipe. “Who says it isn’t? But then again, life is so much better now than it was before. At least we’re not starving to death. Lord Lin is truly a living Buddha. Without him, we two wouldn’t be starving anywhere right now.” “That’s right,” Wang Gousheng nodded. “I heard from the neighbors that a few days ago the government posted a notice saying that Lord Lin has the power to see through the heavens and the earth, and can make God send rain, so we can just sit back and wait. Dad, do you think this can be true? How can humans control the affairs of God?” Wang Tiezhu blew out a puff of smoke and shook his head. “It’s hard to say. We all know that County Magistrate Lin is very capable. But calling the wind and rain is a skill only gods can possess. I guess the government is saying this to appease people.” As the father and son were talking, Wang Gousheng suddenly pointed to the sky and shouted in surprise, “Dad! Look! What is that?!” Wang Tiezhu looked in the direction he pointed, and saw more than a dozen huge “Kongming lanterns” that he had never seen before floating in the sky in the distance. They were many times larger than ordinary Kongming lanterns and were floating in the sky. “What…what is this?” Wang Tiezhu was also stunned. Just as they were in doubt, a barely perceptible chill brushed across their faces. The sky suddenly darkened, and then a drop of rain fell on the tip of Wang Gousheng’s nose. “Huh?” Wang Gousheng was stunned and touched it subconsciously. “Plop!” Another drop hit the back of Wang Tiezhu’s cracked hand. The father and son looked at each other and saw disbelief in each other’s eyes. “Dad…this…this is…” Wang Gousheng’s voice trembled a little. “Wow—” Before he could finish, raindrops as big as beans began to fall down with a crackling sound, and in an instant they connected into lines and formed a curtain! “It’s raining! It’s really raining!” Wang Tiezhu stood up suddenly, rushed into the yard, and let the cold rain pour over his whole body. He stretched out his hands to catch the rain that fell from the sky, and tears instantly welled up in his turbid old eyes. “God has opened his eyes! County Magistrate Lin has appeared!” He was so excited that he was incoherent. Wang Gousheng also rushed into the rain, jumping and dancing, cheering like a child: “It’s raining! It’s raining! We are saved!” The entire Reef City was in an uproar at this moment! “It’s raining! God has opened his eyes!” “Marquis Lin said it would rain, and it really rained!” “Woo woo woo… We’re saved! The crops are saved!” Countless people poured out of their homes and rushed into the streets, cheering, running and crying to their heart’s content to welcome the long awaited rain. They looked up at the sky, feeling the coolness and vitality brought by the rain. The despair in their hearts was swept away, replaced by endless joy. Those who had once been skeptical about the official notice now had only deep awe and admiration in their hearts. “Mr. Lin is truly a god!” The sounds of rain, cheers, and crying intertwined and echoed throughout the city. This long awaited rain not only moistened the dry land, but also moistened the hearts of thousands of people. Chapter 329 Dragon King The rain fell heavily. On the plain outside Qinglin County, the previous tension and anticipation completely turned into ecstasy when the first drop of rain fell. Zhang Fuan’s dark face was washed by the rain, mixed with tears of excitement. He slapped his thigh suddenly: “It’s…it’s raining! Brother Xiao! It’s really raining! We…we succeeded!” He spoke incoherently, so excited that he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet. Sun Mingde howled to the heavens, letting the bean sized raindrops hit his face, feeling extremely happy: “Hahahaha! God has opened his eyes! No, it was Brother Xiao who opened God’s eyes! It feels so good! It feels so damn good!” He wiped the rain off his face and felt that the rain was more intoxicating than any fine wine. Wang Jian still stood straight, the rain sliding down his resolute face, but in his always calm eyes, there was now an irrepressible wave surging. Li Dequan’s old eyes were already filled with tears. He looked at the land moistened by the rain, his lips trembling as he murmured, “Blessed are the people, blessed are the people…” Song Qinghe stroked his beard which was wet by the rain, his face showing deep shock. He had read history books, but had he ever imagined that one day, such a thing as calling the wind and rain could be brought about by human power? He looked at Lin Xiao, his eyes filled with awe. Lin Xiao stood in front of everyone, the rain soaked his clothes, but he just calmly stretched out his hand and caught a few drops of cold rain. Feeling the coolness and looking at the misty rain curtain between the sky and the earth, a happy smile finally appeared on the corner of his mouth. “thump!” Zhang Fuan suddenly knelt on his knees and kowtowed heavily to Lin Xiao. His voice was hoarse but extremely firm: “Brother Xiao! You are a god who has descended to earth!” Soon after, Sun Mingde also put away his smile, his expression became serious, he knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said: “Brother Xiao is so powerful, I bow down to you!” Wang Jian did not hesitate at all and knelt on one knee like Sun Mingde. Li Dequan’s old face was covered with tears, and he knelt down: “Brother Xiao… God obeys your orders!” Song Qinghe bowed deeply, his voice trembling, “Your Excellency is a man of extraordinary talent. Song Qinghe… bows in admiration!” Lin Xiao looked at them and felt emotional. He helped Li Dequan up and gestured to Zhang Fuan and the others to get up: “Everyone, get up! The rain is the result of everyone’s concerted efforts.” The rain was getting heavier, washing away the dry land and the anxiety in people’s hearts. Every corner of Qinglin County, from the county seat to remote villages, erupted in earth shaking cheers as the raindrops fell . The farmers rushed out of the house, running and jumping in the rain, letting the rain soak their clothes. They laughed and cried, treating this rain as a miracle. The children played in the rain, splashing water everywhere, and their clear laughter pierced through the rain. At the same time, in Xingyang County, where people wanted to surrender but were not accepted, the atmosphere was one of despair. In the teahouse, several middle aged men who looked like country gentlemen were sitting around a table, sighing. “Alas, this weather is driving me crazy!” A wealthy man looked out the window at the gray sky with a sad face. “I heard that the prefect of Lin County announced that a gentle rain would fall soon to reassure the people. But he’s not the Dragon King, how can he just send rain whenever he wants?” A tall, thin man who looked like a scholar took a sip of tea and shook his head. “Mr. Qian, you’re wrong. This is just a trick to appease people. If you can really call the wind and rain, wouldn’t you be a god? How can scholars like us believe such nonsense?” “But I heard that the people in Yiyang, Fengchi and other counties that have already submitted to Qinglin County all believed it. They are like people who have been injected with chicken blood, saying that County Magistrate Lin is a god.” A fat businessman whispered. “Foolish men and women, just spreading rumors!” The tall and thin scholar sneered and was about to say something else. Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the teahouse. “Look! What’s that?” “The clouds in the sky! They seem… seem to be drifting towards us!” The people in the teahouse stood up and walked to the windows or doors to look outside. I saw that the scattered clouds in the western sky had become thicker at some point, like ink, and were moving towards Xingyang County at a speed visible to the naked eye. “That cloud… looks like it’s going to rain!” someone exclaimed. Mr. Qian and the tall and thin scholar also crowded to the window, watching the changes in the sky, their expressions gradually froze. “Could it be…could it be that what Lin Xiao said was true?” the fat businessman murmured, with a hint of disbelief in his voice. The tall, thin scholar opened his mouth to retort, but found his throat dry. This celestial phenomenon was definitely not right. Just then, a cool breeze blew, raising the dust on the street. “The wind is blowing!” Then, a drop of cold rain fell on the tip of Qian Yuanwai’s nose. He was shocked and subconsciously reached out to touch it. “Pah!” Another drop hit the forehead of the tall and thin scholar. “Rain…rain?” The tall and thin scholar was stunned. He looked at the wetness on his fingertips, his mind going blank. “Clatter—” The raindrops as big as beans poured down without any warning! The entire Xingyang County was shrouded in heavy rain in the blink of an eye! “It’s raining! It’s really raining!!” Someone in the teahouse shouted first, and then the whole teahouse was in an uproar. Mr. Qian no longer cared about his dignity as a gentleman. He pushed open the window, stuck his head out, let the rain pour on his face, and felt the long lost coolness. His mouth opened wide, speechless with excitement. The tall and thin scholar staggered out of the teahouse and stood in the rain. The rain instantly soaked his scholar’s robe, but he was completely unaware. He looked up at the sky and watched the heavy rain pouring down. The expression on his face changed from shock to dullness, to disbelief, and finally to confusion. “This… How is this possible… He… He really…” He muttered to himself, feeling that the cognition he had built up over decades collapsed at this moment. On the street, the originally lifeless scene was instantly broken. Countless people poured out of their homes, rushed into the rain and let themselves be washed away by it. An old farmer knelt in the middle of the street, looking up to the sky and crying bitterly: “My few acres of land are saved! My grandson is saved! Wuuwuwu…” The young woman held the child and cried with joy, and the child giggled in the rain. The entire Xingyang County was plunged into a sea of ecstasy. People ran around to tell each other and cheered. “The rain started in Qinglin County first! This rain is coming from the west!” “If Magistrate Lin says it’s going to rain, it’s going to rain! He’s not lying!” “It’s amazing! It’s really amazing!” Those who once scoffed at Lin Xiao’s predictions now felt hot on their faces. Those who had once been in despair were now filled with ecstasy of surviving the disaster and infinite awe of Lin Xiao. “Plop!” “Plop!” On the streets and between the ridges of the fields, countless people spontaneously knelt down towards the west the direction of Qinglin County. They only believe in the simplest truth: whoever can keep them alive is their savior and their adoptive parent ! “Chief Lin is truly a god!” “I beg County Magistrate Lin to protect the people of Xingyang County!” Amid the sound of rain, such cries rose and fell, converging into a torrent that shook everyone’s heart. Chapter 330 Digestion The raindrops fell softly, moistening the bluestone pavement of the county magistrate’s mansion. Lin Xiao was soaking wet when he returned to the inner courtyard. Liu Ruyan had already prepared clean clothes and ginger soup, and when she saw him come in, she hurried to greet him. Although she was not present at the scene today, the scene of dark clouds gathering in the sky and the falling rain had already been clearly outlined in her mind through the mouths of countless cheering people. At this moment, the look she gave Lin Xiao was filled with not only the usual admiration but also an indescribable awe and trance. Is there anyone in this world who can truly command the wind and rain? She took the wet clothes that Lin Xiao took off, and her fingertips trembled slightly. When helping him dress, her movements were more gentle and delicate than usual, as if she was treating a rare treasure, or as if she was serving a god walking on earth. There was a shimmering light in those beautiful eyes, and the admiration and love almost overflowed from them. Lin Xiao noticed something was wrong with her. Seeing her lowered brows and a submissive look, with a focused expression and a hint of almost pious trance, he couldn’t help but smile. After she fastened her belt, he stretched out his finger and gently scratched the tip of her small nose. “What are you thinking about? Why are you so absent minded?” Liu Ruyan was startled back to her senses by this intimate gesture. A blush suddenly appeared on her cheeks. She lowered her head and said in a voice as thin as a mosquito: “No…nothing. You, you really are…” She wanted to say “god”, but felt that these two words were too shallow and inadequate to describe the shock in her heart at the moment. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by +7, current favorability: 51.] The system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. Lin Xiao’s heart moved. His favorability was over 50, so he could enter the lottery again! He remained calm and kissed Liu Ruyan on the cheek: “I’ll go lie down in the meeting room first. They must be waiting anxiously.” “Okay, take care of yourself.” Liu Ruyan reminded softly and watched Lin Xiao leave. The stars were still twinkling in her beautiful eyes. In the conference room, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, Zhang Fuan and others had already been waiting there. They also changed into dry clothes, but the excitement and trance between their brows were exactly the same as Liu Ruyan’s. Seeing Lin Xiao come in, everyone stood up and looked at him with burning eyes. “Please sit down.” Lin Xiao walked to the main seat and sat down with a calm expression, as if the earth shaking “artificial rain” was just an ordinary matter. The calmer he was, the more awed Song Qinghe and others felt. “Today’s rain has alleviated the immediate crisis. However, it’s not a permanent solution. I estimate that this artificial intervention will only provide temporary relief. In about a month, the right time will bring a real, widespread natural rainfall.” Everyone was even more shocked when they heard this. Not only could he summon the wind and rain, but he could also predict the weather? Song Qinghe took a deep breath and bowed, saying, “Your Excellency is so ingenious, we are far behind.” Lin Xiao said, “This rain has temporarily alleviated the drought in Qinglin County and the surrounding newly annexed lands. However, water conservancy remains fundamental. Uncle Dequan, you must urge all localities to expedite the repair and excavation of canals and the construction of ponds and dams while the land is still moist. This must be done to ensure maximum irrigation for farmland.” “Yes! Don’t worry, Brother Xiao, I will definitely get it done!” Li Dequan replied solemnly. Lin Xiao looked at Song Qinghe again, “The people of the newly acquired Hongnong County have just begun to come to their side. This blessing from heaven is a perfect opportunity to win over the people. You must quickly dispatch capable officials to implement our policies of equal distribution of land, low taxes, and the promotion of education. We must ensure that every newly surrendered citizen personally feels the benefits of following Qinglin County. At the same time, we must conduct a thorough investigation of the local area. If any officials take advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos or fail to govern effectively, they will be severely punished!” “I understand!” Song Qinghe accepted the order solemnly, “I will definitely live up to your trust.” “Sun Mingde, Wang Jian.” Lin Xiao turned his gaze towards the two of them. “Although the bandit problem in the newly annexed areas has subsided, we still need to be vigilant. The training of the local militia must be accelerated to assist the government in maintaining law and order. At the same time, the main force must not slack off and must continue training to be ready to respond to any changes at any time.” “I obey your command!” the two men responded in unison. “Zhang Fuan,” Lin Xiao finally looked at him, “Over at the military workshop, in addition to producing conventional weapons, we must also begin researching more convenient water diversion and irrigation tools. We must not only be able to fight, but also be able to farm and make a living.” “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! As long as you give me a direction, I can figure it out for you!” Zhang Fuan patted his chest and promised. Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction: “Very good, let’s go down and do it.” “We’ll take our leave!” Everyone bowed respectfully and filed out with awe and excitement in their hearts. Thousands of miles away, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. When the news that “Lin Xiao of Qinglin County cast a spell to bring rain, and the people were grateful” was reported to the capital along with the information that most of Hongnong County had surrendered , the entire court was in an uproar. In the Golden Palace, Li Yan listened to the reports from the officials below, and the anger on his face almost burst out. “Rain? Can Lin Xiao make it rain?!” Li Yan suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, pointed at the imperial censor who had just finished reporting to the emperor, and roared, “Tell me! Is this true?! A peasant rebel, can he really call the shots?!” “Your Majesty, please calm down…” The imperial censor was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and trembled. “This…this is absolutely true. It’s really raining heavily in Hongnong County…over there, and it’s spreading from the direction of Qinglin County…” “He’s spreading rumors and misleading the people! This is pure nonsense!” Li Yan was so angry that he was shaking all over. He grabbed a glass cup from the table and smashed it to the ground, shattering it. “He’s playing tricks and misleading the people! How can he toy with my people and my territory like this!” All the civil and military officials in the court were silent, and no one dared to speak up. “Come here! Drag these messengers who are talking nonsense out here for me! Behead them! Behead them all!” Li Yan paced back and forth in the hall, cursing constantly, his chest heaving violently. He couldn’t accept that Lin Xiao, whom he had always regarded as a peasant, could actually perform such a “miracle”! This is not only a trampling of his authority, but also a great irony to his status as the emperor! The morning court ended in a bad mood. Li Yan returned to the harem’s bedroom in anger, still furious, smashing things to vent his anger. Kunning Palace. Liu Weilan listened quietly to the news brought back by the palace maid. The teacup in her hand paused slightly, and some tea spilled out. “Lin Xiao…please let it rain?” She whispered softly, a trace of trance flashing in her beautiful phoenix eyes. He could actually… cause rain to fall from the sky? Liu Weilan couldn’t help but think of Lin Xiao again. The figure gradually became clearer, emitting a calm and powerful aura. Then I thought about how the emperor was furious about this matter and smashed many of his beloved wooden works. A faint sigh escaped from Liu Weilan’s lips and dissipated in the silent palace. She looked out the window at the gloomy sky, feeling a mixture of emotions. Where will this Great Zhou Dynasty, this crumbling empire, go in the future? Chapter 331 Finance Several days of continuous artificial rainfall had swept away the heat from the entire world. The backyard of the Qinglin County Magistrate’s Mansion was even cooler and more pleasant, the air carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees after the rain. Lin Xiao lay sideways on a bamboo rocking chair, his toes tapping the ground, and the rocking chair began to rock slowly, making him feel indescribably comfortable and relaxed. Beside them, the sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu were serving on the left and right. Yan Jing’s delicate and soft hands gently massaged Lin Xiao’s temples, applying just the right amount of pressure to ease the weariness he’d endured from days of toil. She lowered her eyes, her expression focused, occasionally glancing up at Lin Xiao, her eyes filled with admiration. Yan Susu peeled a crystal clear grape, carefully removed the seeds, and brought it to Lin Xiao’s mouth, smiling and asking, “Master, is it sweet?” Lin Xiao opened his mouth and took it in, nodding: “Sweet.” The girl’s fingertips accidentally touched his lips, bringing a hint of coolness and softness. Yan Susu’s face turned slightly red, and she quickly peeled off another one. The “calling the wind and summoning the rain” in the past few days has brought the two sisters’ admiration for Lin Xiao to a whole new level. In their hearts, their young master is simply an omnipotent god like figure. Lin Xiao enjoyed this rare leisure time, feeling the soothing force on his temples and the sweet fruity aroma in his mouth, and his heart was at peace. He closed his eyes and suddenly remembered something: that day Liu Ruyan’s favorability exceeded fifty. These past few days, with all the rain and the need to appease the newly annexed areas, I actually forgot about this. Thinking of this, Lin Xiao silently said in his heart: “System, draw a prize.” [Ding! The host has selected the lucky draw, and the draw is in progress…] The familiar lottery roulette appeared in Lin Xiao’s mind, with light flashing and the pointer spinning rapidly. Lin Xiao’s heart also began to lift. What good stuff could it be this time? After a moment, the pointer slowly stopped. [Ding! Congratulations to the host, you have obtained “A Complete Set of Financial Knowledge from Modern Times to the Present”! ] A huge torrent of information instantly flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind. From the most basic monetary theory, banking system, and credit principles, to the complex securities market, futures trading, insurance actuarial science, and then to national fiscal policy, monetary policy, international finance, and economic regulation… Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes and the rocking chair stopped rocking. He froze, his face full of shock, and then an indescribable ecstasy burst out from the bottom of his heart! finance! This is the fucking way! Although it is said that conquering the world relies on guns and governing the world relies on money and food, finance is the invisible giant that can truly leverage the economic lifeline of an entire country and even influence the world situation! A stable and efficient financial system can mobilize the resources of the entire society, promote business prosperity, accumulate national wealth, and provide continuous support even in times of war. From the savings and loans of ordinary people to the financing of national projects and disaster relief, everything depends on this. If he could use this knowledge properly, the development speed and potential of Qinglin County under his rule, and even the wider world in the future, would be completely incomparable to what it is now! The more Lin Xiao thought about it, the more excited he became. This thing was more important than giving him a hundred thousand troops and a million stones of grain! “Young Master, what’s wrong with you?” Yan Jing felt Lin Xiao’s body stiffen, stopped what he was doing, and asked with concern. She saw a fiery light in Lin Xiao’s eyes that she had never seen before, as if it wanted to swallow up the whole world. Yan Susu also stopped peeling grapes and looked at Lin Xiao curiously. Lin Xiao took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and showed a bright smile on his face: “Nothing, I just thought of a great thing, a great thing!” “What good news is this? Can it make the young master so happy?” Yan Susu blinked her big eyes and came closer. Lin Xiao laughed, but didn’t elaborate. Seeing that he was in a very good mood, Yan Jing also started laughing. She picked up a freshly peeled lychee. The white and tender flesh was plump and juicy, exuding an enticing sweet fragrance. She looked at Lin Xiao, her cheeks slightly red. She hesitated for a moment, then gently bit off a small half of the lychee and tenderly handed the flesh with her saliva to Lin Xiao’s lips. Her eyes moved with a hint of shy expectation. Lin Xiao was slightly startled. Looking at the girl’s beautiful face and watery eyes so close to him, his heart was moved. Without hesitation, he took the lychee flesh with a special sweetness into his mouth. Seeing this, Yan Susu rolled her eyes and imitated her sister, but she was bolder. The little hands began to become restless, gently pinching Lin Xiao’s calves, sometimes moving upwards with a bit of mischief, but looking at Lin Xiao with bright eyes, full of attachment and a hint of imperceptible teasing. Lin Xiao enjoyed this gentle service and felt comfortable in his heart. [Ding! Yan Jing’s favorability increased by 3, current favorability: 26.] [Ding! Yan Susu’s favorability increased by +3, current favorability: 29.] The system’s prompt sounded at the right time, and Lin Xiao felt even better. At dinner time, the dining room of the county magistrate’s mansion was brightly lit and warm. Lin Xiao was holding his son Lin Rui in his arms. The little guy was grabbing Lin Xiao’s clothes, laughing and babbling, with his saliva all over Lin Xiao. Yan Ruotong sat aside, looking at the father and son tenderly, wiping Xiao Linrui’s mouth with a handkerchief from time to time. Yan Ruoxi was holding her daughter Lin Xin. Lin Xin was quieter and was looking around curiously with her big black eyes. “Husband, go slower, don’t let Rui’er choke.” Yan Ruotong saw Lin Xiao teasing her son and reminded him softly. “I understand, Ruotong.” Lin Xiao responded with a smile, and bent down to kiss his son’s chubby little face. At the dinner table, in addition to the Yan sisters, there were also Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang and Zhang Wanqing. Sister Lin looked at Lin Xiao, her eyes full of tenderness and gratitude. The child in her belly was hers and Lin Xiao’s, and was also the hope of her future life. Aunt Wang always had a faint smile on her face, and occasionally she looked up at Lin Xiao, her eyes so gentle that they could drip water. Zhang Wanqing sat next to Aunt Wang, lowering her head to eat. Feeling Lin Xiao’s concerned gaze, her cheeks blushed slightly. The meal was a joyful one, accompanied by the children’s laughter and the women’s gentle whispers. Lin Xiao looked at the women and children in the room, and his heart was filled with satisfaction. These are his family members, his strongest support in these troubled times, and the driving force that keeps him moving forward. After dinner, Lin Xiao went straight to the study. The lights in the study were bright, and Liu Ruyan was grinding ink with her bare hands, the fragrance of ink lingering in the air. She changed into a simple dress, with her black hair casually tied up, a few strands of hair hanging on her cheeks. Under the light, her skin looked whiter than snow, and her eyebrows and eyes looked like paintings. She stood quietly beside Lin Xiao, watching him write furiously on the snow white rice paper. Pei Xueyi was organizing some planning documents that Lin Xiao had written earlier, her movements gentle and clear. She occasionally raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Lin Xiao’s focused profile, with a faint smile on her face. Lin Xiao wrote eloquently, but what he wrote were not poems or articles, but some strange symbols and nouns, such as “savings”, “loans”, “bills”, “exchanges” and so on. Liu Ruyan was just curious at first, but gradually, as Lin Xiao wrote more and more, a hint of surprise unconsciously appeared in her beautiful eyes. Those words put together seemed to describe a huge idea that she had never imagined, which could leverage the wealth of the world. Pei Xueyi also noticed something strange about Liu Ruyan. She moved closer out of curiosity. When she saw the words “bank”, “currency unification”, “market regulation” and so on on the paper, her eyebrows slightly frowned, and her eyes were also filled with confusion and shock. Lin Xiao wrote for about half an hour, clearly listing some key items, then put down his pen and breathed a sigh of relief. “Ruyan, go and tell Lord Song, Uncle Dequan and the others to come over and tell them that I have something important to discuss.” Lin Xiao rubbed his wrist. “Yes.” Liu Ruyan calmed herself down, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, responded softly, turned around and left quickly. Chapter 332: Money Can Make You a God Soon, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde and others came to the study one after another. Most of them had just finished their current tasks and still had a bit of dust and dirt on them. “Sir, why do you call us here so late? Is there something important?” Song Qinghe spoke first. He knew that Lin Xiaoruo would not gather everyone at this time unless it was an important matter. “Please sit down.” Lin Xiao pointed to the chair next to him. The study is filled with the aroma of tea. Lin Xiao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and swept his gaze over the crowd before speaking calmly, “I’ve invited you all here today to discuss an important matter. I plan to establish a brand new institution in Qinglin County and all the territories under its jurisdiction. I’m calling it a ‘bank.’ At the same time, we’ll also issue our own currency: gold, silver, and copper coins.” “Bank?” Song Qinghe frowned slightly. He had never heard of this word before. Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, and the others were also bewildered, looking at each other. They understood currency, but what did this “bank” do? Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi stood behind Lin Xiao, also looking curious. Lin Xiao put down his teacup, looked at everyone’s puzzled expressions, and smiled slightly: “I know you don’t understand, I will explain slowly.” He paused, organizing his words. “Everyone, we rely on soldiers to fight wars and food to eat. But to truly prosper our territory, ensure a good life for our people, and strengthen our power, we need something else—money. More precisely, it’s about how to make money ‘live,’ ‘circulate,’ and create greater value for us. This is ‘finance.'” “Finance?” Song Qinghe murmured this unfamiliar word, with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. “Simply put, finance is the science and means of managing and financing funds,” Lin Xiao explained, “and banks are the most important institutions that make this possible.” “What exactly does this bank do?” Li Dequan couldn’t help but ask. He was most concerned about practical things. “Banks have so many uses,” Lin Xiao said with a smile. “First, they can absorb the idle money in the hands of the people. When people deposit their money in the bank, we not only guarantee its safety, but also pay a certain amount of ‘interest’. In other words, if you deposit money and withdraw it after a while, you will have more money.” “How much more can I earn if I save money?” Zhang Fuan’s eyes widened, a little bit unbelievable. Isn’t this like pie in the sky? “Of course.” Lin Xiao nodded. “When a bank gets this money, it won’t let it sit idle. It can ‘lend’ the money to those who need it. For example, farmers who need money to buy seeds and fertilizers in the spring can borrow from the bank; merchants who want to expand their business and import more goods can borrow from the bank; our government can also ‘borrow’ from the bank if it wants to build roads and water conservancy projects. Of course, borrowing money also requires paying interest, and this interest is the bank’s income and the source of interest paid to depositors.” Song Qinghe’s eyes flashed. “Your Excellency means that this bank is like a huge money house, but more than just a money house? It can gather scattered money and use it where it is most needed?” “Mr. Song is half right,” Lin Xiao praised. “It’s far more powerful and secure than an ordinary bank. With a bank, large transactions no longer require bulky gold and silver. A ‘note’ issued by a bank can be exchanged for cash anywhere under our jurisdiction. It’s fast and convenient, and it also protects against theft. This is called ‘exchange.'” “That’s a great idea!” Sun Mingde slapped his thigh. “From now on, when we transport military pay or merchants transport payment for goods, we won’t have to worry so much!” “Not only that,” Lin Xiao continued, “the bank can also issue our own currency. We use gold and silver as the basis to mint gold, silver, and copper coins of uniform specifications and high purity. These coins are backed by the reputation of our Qinglin County, so the people will feel at ease using them. With a unified and stable currency, business can develop better. Even destructive!” Li Dequan stroked his beard and pondered, “Brother Xiao’s idea sounds good. It manages the money, makes it profitable, and provides convenience to the people. But…where does the ‘destructiveness’ of this bank come from?” Everyone pricked up their ears. They probably understood the benefits of the bank, but what did this “destructiveness” mean? Lin Xiao’s eyes grew deeper, and his tone took on a hint of solemnity. “Finance can both build and destroy a nation. Used properly, it is an accelerator of our development. However, if it gets out of control, or is exploited by the enemy, its destructive power will far exceed that of a vast army.” He looked at the nervous expressions on everyone’s faces and continued, “Take currency, for example. What if our Qinglin County currency, due to its good reputation and stable purchasing power, gradually gained acceptance among the people and merchants in other surrounding counties, and even became their primary trading currency?” Song Qinghe’s eyes narrowed, as if he had thought of something, and his breathing became slightly rapid. “If people all over the world get used to using our money, then those inferior coins issued by other local governments that are of insufficient quality and arbitrarily devalued will be naturally eliminated.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it carried a heart pounding power. “By then, we can influence the prices in those areas by controlling the amount of currency issued. If we want their products to become more expensive, we will issue less money; if we want their products to become cheaper, we will issue more money.” “This…” Wang Jian was a little confused. No matter how much money he had, he could still control other people’s prices? “That’s just one of them.” Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a meaningful smile. “When their economy is completely dependent on our currency, their wealth is essentially in our hands. We can drastically reduce their wealth overnight, bankrupt their merchants, and cause their government finances to collapse. We can even buy up all their land, grain, and minerals without bloodshed…” “This… this is simply…” Song Qinghe stood up from his chair in shock, his face pale, his lips trembling, and he couldn’t utter a complete sentence for a long time. He had read so many books by sages and handled so many government affairs, but had he ever imagined that war could be fought like this? This was even more insidious and terrifying than the charge of thousands of troops! Li Dequan opened his mouth wide, as if he was getting to know the concept of “money” for the first time. He had been dealing with land and food all his life, and only now did he understand that this yellow and white thing could be transformed into such a terrifying weapon. Although Sun Mingde and Wang Jian did not quite understand the underlying principles, they heard the words “bloodless battle”, “sucking away wealth”, and “internal chaos” clearly, and felt a chill running from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads. This is even more terrifying than the real fighting with swords and guns on the battlefield. Zhang Fuan was even more stunned. He only knew that blacksmithing was powerful in making guns and cannons, but he didn’t expect that this “money” could be used in many ways and was even more powerful than guns and cannons! Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi, who were standing behind Lin Xiao, were already shaken by these words. The study was silent for a while, with only the heavy breathing of everyone and the sound of rain outside the window. After a long moment, Song Qinghe finally let out a long breath and bowed deeply to Lin Xiao. “Your Excellency’s words are truly thought provoking! Song Qinghe has only just learned that governing a country and maintaining its security actually involves such profound principles! Please advise us, Your Excellency, how should we proceed?” Li Dequan and others also came back to their senses, looking at Lin Xiao with eyes full of enthusiasm and expectation. Chapter 333: Birth Lin Xiao looked at the flames that were almost burning in everyone’s eyes, nodded slightly, and felt very proud in his heart. If this financial plan can be successfully implemented, it will be like installing an extremely powerful engine for his emerging force. He raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down, and said in a steady voice: “This matter needs to be addressed from two aspects. The first is the establishment of the ‘bank’. The second is ‘coinage’.” Turning his gaze to Zhang Fuan, Lin Xiao said, “Fuan, you are very experienced. I will leave the task of minting new coins to you. Please submit the required craftsmen, sites, copper, silver, and even gold materials as soon as possible and report them to me. Our own coins must be of high quality, with exquisite designs that are difficult to counterfeit. This matter concerns the future of Qinglin County. Only success is allowed, not failure!” Zhang Fuan was stunned by this heavy responsibility, then he patted his chest and said: “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! I will definitely get this done properly! Our money must be a thousand times better than the junk metal of the government! It is guaranteed to be easy to use and easy to recognize, and everyone who sees it will like it!” His honest face showed unprecedented solemnity and excitement. Everyone smiled kindly when they heard this. Lin Xiao looked at Li Dequan and Song Qinghe again and said, “The establishment of this bank is now in your hands. From drafting the bank’s charter, selecting locations for branches, recruiting and training staff, to how to attract deposits, how to issue loans, and how to ensure the safe flow of funds, there are so many complex issues that require careful consideration. If this is accomplished, it will benefit both the present and future generations.” Song Qinghe’s eyes gleamed with wisdom as he bowed and said, “Your Excellency’s actions demonstrate a keen eye and profound foresight. We will tirelessly work together to outline a grand plan for you.” Li Dequan also had a serious expression on his face and nodded vigorously: “Brother Xiao, I will definitely think about it carefully!” Lin Xiao smiled with relief: “I will sort out the specific details for you. You can set up the framework first and work your way through it. If you encounter any problems, we will discuss and solve them together.” “Understood!” Everyone responded in unison, their voices full of power. “Okay, it’s getting late. Let’s go back and think it over carefully. Let’s start preparing tomorrow.” Lin Xiao waved his hand. Everyone saluted again and filed out. After everyone left, the study became quiet for a while. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi remained standing there, silent for a long time. The discussion about “finance” just now had a huge impact on them. Those unfamiliar words and those incredible methods set off a storm in their hearts. Liu Ruyan couldn’t help but think of the imperial court. The Great Zhou was now in turmoil, the treasury was empty, and in order to raise military pay, they even increased taxes and squeezed the people’s wealth, which had long caused public resentment. But Lin Xiao was here, outlining a grand blueprint that could make money make money and make the land under his rule more prosperous. Comparing the two, the difference is obvious. Pei Xueyi’s heart was also in turmoil. She came from a family of scholars and considered herself well read, but after witnessing Lin Xiao’s endless stream of novel methods, she realized that what she had learned was just a drop in the ocean. This man seems to have endless creative ideas and can always turn decay into something magical. She pursed her lips lightly, her eyes moving and falling on Lin Xiao with obsession. Lin Xiao noticed something strange about the two girls and was about to say something. At this moment, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the study. A little maidservant, holding up the hem of her skirt, rushed in breathlessly, her face full of anxiety: “Sir! It’s bad! Madam Wanqing… she… she’s about to give birth! Her stomach hurts so badly, the midwife has already left!” “What?” Lin Xiao was shocked and stood up suddenly. Counting the days, Zhang Wanqing’s due date is indeed in these few days, but I didn’t expect it to be so sudden. “Hurry, go check it out!” Lin Xiao couldn’t care less and strode out. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi glanced at each other and hurried to follow. In the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion, the courtyard where Zhang Wanqing lived was already brightly lit and filled with shadowy figures. In the delivery room, Zhang Wanqing’s suppressed cries of pain and the midwife’s steady commands could be faintly heard. In the yard, Lin Xiao paced back and forth, looking at the closed door from time to time. Sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, as well as Pei Xueyi, Liu Ruyan, and Aunt Wang were all gathered in the yard, each with concern written all over their face. Mrs. Lin was also standing aside with a big belly, gently stroking her abdomen. There was worry and a hint of empathy in her eyes. “Brother Xiao, don’t worry too much. Sister Wanqing is in good health and the midwife is the most experienced in the county. Both mother and child will be safe.” Seeing that Lin Xiao was so anxious that sweat appeared on his forehead, Aunt Wang comforted him softly. Yan Ruotong also said: “Yes, my husband, sister Wanqing is a lucky person.” Lin Xiao nodded. Time passed bit by bit, and Zhang Wanqing’s cries of pain in the delivery room became louder and louder, making people’s hearts writhe. Just when everyone was feeling uneasy, Mrs. Lin beside them suddenly cried out “Ouch!”, her face suddenly turned pale, she covered her bulging belly with her hands, and beads of sweat instantly seeped out of her forehead. “Sister in law, what’s wrong with you?” Yan Ruoxi, who was closest to her, was startled and quickly supported her. Sister Lin gritted her teeth, veins popping out of her forehead, and her voice trembled: “My…my stomach…seems…seems…too…too painful…in waves…” “What?!” Lin Xiao’s head buzzed when he heard that, and he was completely stunned. “Hurry! Hurry!” Yan Ruotong was the first to react and hurriedly ordered, “Hurry and help Sister Lin to the next room! And call the midwife! Tell them that this side is also…about to give birth!” The courtyard was instantly in chaos. The maids were in a panic, some trying to help Sister Lin, while others rushed to call the midwife. This is really a great addition, a double portion at once! It was a dark night. In the small courtyard of the county magistrate’s mansion, lights flickered and voices were noisy. Almost at the same time, the cries of women in pain were heard in the two delivery rooms. Lin Xiao stood in the courtyard between the two delivery rooms, looking here and there. He felt his palms were full of sweat and his heart was in his throat. His only thought now is that mother and child are safe, mother and child must be safe! Chapter 334 The True Son of Heaven At this moment, Zhang Fuan also rushed over after hearing the news. He was busy with the preliminary preparations for the casting of new coins. When he heard that Zhang Wanqing was about to give birth, he dropped his work and ran over here. His dark face was covered with sweat and he was breathing heavily. As soon as he entered the yard, he leaned on the door frame to peek inside, muttering: “Buddha bless you, Buddha bless you…” Time passed minute by minute, and the cries of pain from Zhang Wanqing and Mrs. Lin in the delivery room came one after another, making people’s hearts tighten. I don’t know how long it took, but in the west wing, Zhang Wanqing’s screams suddenly became louder, and then a loud and clear baby cry pierced the night like the sound of nature! “It’s born! It’s born! It’s a boy!” The midwife’s joyful voice came from inside. Lin Xiao and Zhang Fuan breathed a sigh of relief almost at the same time. Zhang Fuan was so excited that he staggered and almost fell down, with tears and smiles on his face. The maid quickly came out, carrying the swaddled baby. “Congratulations, my lord! Madam Wanqing has given birth to a big, fat boy! Both mother and child are safe!” Lin Xiao strode forward and carefully took the child. The little guy had his eyes closed, his mouth smacking, and his rosy cheeks were adorable. He looked at Zhang Fuan, who was rubbing his hands excitedly, his eyes red, and said with a smile: “Fuan, this child will take your surname Zhang. What do you think about him recognizing you as his godfather in the future?” Zhang Fuan was shocked when he heard this. He could no longer hold back his tears and they flowed down his face. He fell to his knees in front of Lin Xiao with a thud, his voice choked with sobs as he kowtowed several times: “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao, thank you so much! I, Zhang Fuan… I, Zhang Fuan, kowtow to you! I… I will die with my eyes closed!” His Zhang family can have an heir, and it is Brother Xiao’s child. He can be a godfather and take care of him from time to time. This is already a great blessing from heaven! “Hurry up, hurry up!” Lin Xiao quickly helped him up. “This is a happy occasion, why are you crying?” Lin Xiao held the child in his arms, thought for a moment, and said, “Let’s name this child Zhang Chengyu. I hope he can carry the world in the future.” “Zhang Chengyu… Good! What a good name!” Zhang Fuan nodded repeatedly, looking at the child, his eyes full of fatherly love and gratitude. Just as the west wing was settled, good news came from the east wing. “Wow——” Another baby’s cry, full of vitality. “She’s born! Sister Lin has also given birth! It’s a girl!” Lin Xiao handed Zhang Chengyu to Yan Ruotong next to him and hurried to the door of the east wing. After a while, the midwife came out with a swaddling baby in her arms, her face beaming with joy: “Congratulations, sir! Madam Lin has given birth to a beautiful girl!” Lin Xiao took the child in his hand. It was a little girl. She had some of Mrs. Lin’s beauty in her eyes and eyebrows. She was sleeping quietly at the moment. His heart softened and a gentle smile appeared on his face. “Let’s call this girl Lin Youning. She’s as clear and bright as a stream under the moonlight.” Lin Xiao said softly. “Youning…you sound so beautiful.” Mrs. Lin heard the weak but satisfied voice in the room. Double happiness! The entire county magistrate’s office was immersed in great joy. Lin Xiao immediately ordered: “Tonight, the County Magistrate’s Mansion will hold a grand banquet! All servants and guards will be rewarded!” “Thank you, sir!” Cheers rang out one after another. As if with wings, the news that Lin Xiao had a new baby boy and a girl in one day spread quickly throughout Qinglin County and even to the newly annexed counties. Within the territory, countless people spontaneously set off firecrackers, cheers rang out one after another, and the entire night sky was illuminated by brilliant fireworks. Jiaoshi County. Wang Tiezhu, his son Wang Gousheng, and their neighbor Zhang Daniu were sitting in their yard enjoying the cool air. The sweet rain a few days ago brought life to the crops in the fields, and everyone felt much more relieved. “Dad, have you heard? Two babies were born at the county magistrate’s house last night!” Wang Gousheng got the news from outside and ran back excitedly to say. Wang Tiezhu was stunned for a moment, then said happily, “Oh? This is great news! Double happiness, a good omen!” Zhang Daniu also came over: “That’s right! Lord Lin is a star from heaven who has come down to earth. He is very blessed!” As they were talking, they suddenly heard the crackling sound of firecrackers in the distance, one after another, echoing through the sky. Immediately afterwards, the entire Jiaoshi County was filled with the sound of firecrackers from all directions, continuously, as if it were the New Year. People spontaneously came out of their homes and lit the firecrackers they had stored in their homes to celebrate this happy event. “Master Lin’s family has a new baby! Everyone is so happy!” “Set off firecrackers to congratulate Lord Lin!” Amid the sound of firecrackers, the originally clear sky was quietly covered with clouds. A cool breeze blew by. Immediately afterwards, without any warning, raindrops as big as beans fell from the sky! “It’s raining! It’s raining again!” Wang Gousheng exclaimed in surprise and reached out to catch the cold raindrops. “Clatter—” The heavy rain poured down, instantly covering the entire Jiaoshi County, washing the eaves and streets, and also washing people’s hearts. This time, it was not artificial rainfall organized by Lin Xiao, but real, natural rain from the sky! The people were stunned at first, and then burst into cheers even louder than before! “God bless you! It’s raining again!” “This rain… this rain is to congratulate Lord Lin!” Wang Tiezhu stood in the rain, letting the rain soak his clothes. There was an unprecedented light flashing in his turbid old eyes. He looked at the pouring rain and listened to the spontaneous cheers and firecrackers of the people from all directions. The awe and admiration in his heart reached its peak. He suddenly knelt on his knees and kowtowed three times towards Qinglin County, shouting in a hoarse voice, “Master Lin…you…you are the Son of Heaven descended to earth! You are sent by God to save us poor people!” “The Emperor! Lord Lin is the Emperor!” Wang Gousheng was also shocked by the scene and knelt down and shouted. Zhang Daniu was so excited that he was incoherent: “That’s right! Lord Lin is the true dragon emperor who has descended to earth! Otherwise, why would God favor him so much!” “Lord Lin is the Son of Heaven!” “Heaven has sent down a sweet rain, congratulations to the Emperor!” Such calls started from Jiaoshi County and quickly spread to every corner of Qinglin County and every village in Hongnong County. Countless people knelt in the rain. They firmly believed that the successive auspicious signs and the timely rain all showed that Lin Xiao was destined to be the one! The name “Son of Heaven” spread like wildfire. Chapter 335 Return to Qingshan The rain was dripping, hitting the window frames. Lin Xiao was holding his newly born daughter Lin Youning, standing under the eaves in the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion. The little one was sleeping soundly in his arms, with a pink little face and long eyelashes trembling slightly. This rain has been falling for two full days, completely relieving the severe drought that has lasted for several months. Judging from the rain, the drought is really over. The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and the freshness of rain. Lin Xiao took a deep breath and felt refreshed. The series of happy events put him in a very good mood. The weather in the area under his rule is good, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and he has two lovely children in his family. What more could he ask for? He looked at the distant mountains hazy in the rain, and a smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth. In the following days, Lin Xiao had a rare chance to relax. The framework of the financial plan has been established, and the specific implementation is the responsibility of Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others, while the coinage is also handed over to Zhang Fuan. He spent most of his time with his family. In the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion, you can often hear the laughter of children. Lin Rui likes to grab Lin Xiao’s trouser legs the most and babbles, asking him to hold him. Lin Xin was much quieter, always staring at Lin Xiao with her big black eyes. The two newly added little ones, Zhang Chengyu and Lin Youning, are the ones who are adored by everyone. They are either hugged by one or teased by another. “Husband, look at Rui’er, he’s rubbed his saliva on you again.” Yan Ruotong took a handkerchief and wiped Lin Xiao’s clothes helplessly and amusedly. “It’s okay.” Lin Xiao laughed and lifted Lin Rui above his head. The little guy giggled with joy. Yan Ruoxi held Lin Xin in her arms and watched the father and son playing, with a happy smile on her face. When Zhang Wanqing was teasing her son, there was a hint of bright maternal glow in her eyes. Mrs. Lin held her daughter Youning in her arms with a satisfied smile on her face, and her eyes were full of tenderness as she looked at Lin Xiao. Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan also often come to help look after the children, and the backyard is full of joy. That night, Lin Xiao had just coaxed the two children to sleep and returned to his room, preparing to go to bed. Suddenly there was a slight knock on the door. Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly. Who could it be at this time? He stood up and opened the door. A pretty figure slipped in nimbly, bringing with it the fragrance of youth. “Nini?” Lin Xiao was a little surprised. Nini’s figure is now more and more agile, and her neat outfit adds a bit of heroic spirit. But at this moment, those bright big eyes were filled with a bit of little girl’s cunning and expectation. “Brother Lin Xiao, are you still awake?” Nini tiptoed in and closed the door behind her. “It’s so late, is there something wrong?” Lin Xiao looked at her, a little surprised. Nini walked to the bedside, her cheeks slightly red, and she stuck out her tongue. Her voice was low and a little coquettish: “Brother Lin Xiao, you haven’t loved me for a long time… a long time.” As she spoke, her cheeks turned even redder, but her eyes met Lin Xiao’s fiery gaze. Lin Xiao was slightly startled, then burst out laughing. This girl is really getting bolder and bolder. He reached out and gently took her into his arms. Nini’s body stiffened, then relaxed. She put her arms around Lin Xiao’s waist, her warm breath spraying on his neck. Her voice was filled with a trembling joy: “Brother Lin Xiao…” A few days later, everyone was having dinner in the dining room. During the meal, Mrs. Lin, holding her daughter Youning, suddenly said, “Brother Xiao, I want to go back to Qingshan Village. I’ve been away for so long, I don’t know how the village is doing now.” As soon as she said this, the atmosphere at the dinner table paused slightly. Yan Ruoxi put down her chopsticks and nodded, “Yes, come to think of it, we haven’t been back to Qingshan Village for a long time. I really miss the big locust tree at the entrance of the village.” Yan Ruotong also agreed: “Husband, why don’t we take some time to go back and take a look. Let the children get to know their home.” Lin Xiao looked at them and his heart moved. Qingshan Village, that was the starting point of his arrival in this world and the beginning of all his career. There, he carried too many memories. “Okay.” Lin Xiao nodded in agreement, “Since everyone wants to go back, let’s get ready and go back to Qingshan Village together.” “That’s great!” Yan Ruoxi clapped her hands and laughed. Lin Xiao paused, then continued, “However, Aunt Wang, you are not feeling well, so you should stay in the mansion and take care of your pregnancy.” Aunt Wang is getting older now, and it is really inconvenient for her to travel long distances. Although she felt a little regretful when she heard this, she also knew that Lin Xiao was thinking about her, so she nodded: “Well, then you should be careful on the road.” That’s how it was settled. After a few days, everything was ready. In the early morning, several spacious and comfortable carriages were ready, and the maids and servants were busy loading all the luggage and food needed for the journey into the carriages. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Mrs. Lin, Zhang Wanqing, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi and the Yan sisters, along with their children, boarded the carriage one after another. Lin Xiao turned over and mounted the Black Panther. It hadn’t been away from home for a long time, so it seemed unusually excited, snorting and digging the ground with its front hooves from time to time, eager to try. “drive!” Lin Xiao shouted softly, and the black panther’s four hooves flew, rushing out like a black lightning, running steadily in front of the convoy. The convoy slowly drove out of Qinglin County and headed towards Qingshan Village. Inside the carriage, one could hear women’s laughter and children’s babbling from time to time, which was full of warmth and anticipation. Lin Xiao rode on the back of the black panther, feeling the cool breeze in the early morning and watching the county town gradually disappearing behind him, feeling a sense of peace in his heart. Chapter 336 Long time no see The convoy traveled for most of the day, and the familiar outline of the mountains gradually came into view. When the carriage passed a newly built stone bridge, the view ahead suddenly opened up. The wide bluestone road stretched straight into the distance. The road surface was smooth and clean, enough to accommodate four carriages running side by side. On both sides of the street are rows of brand new two story or even three story blue brick buildings. The facades of many shops are inlaid with large pieces of transparent glass, which sparkles in the sun and looks particularly grand. There are cloth shops, grain stores, ironware shops…all kinds of signs stand there, and the designs are quite innovative. In the cloth shop, there were brightly colored and novelly patterned cloths hanging, which were obviously the latest products from the dyeing workshop, attracting many women to stop and choose. At the entrance of the grain store, there were piles of plump grains, as well as huge cut sweet potatoes and potatoes on display, with signs next to them showing the yield per mu and the price; In the iron shop, brand new farm tools and various tools gleamed with a dark luster, and from time to time there were clinking sounds. The air was filled with the aroma of various foods. The shouts from steamed bun shops, noodle shops, sweet soup stalls, and those selling roasted sweet potatoes were endless. There were a lot of pedestrians coming and going, all dressed neatly and with relaxed smiles on their faces. You can also see some children in uniform, carrying small schoolbags, coming out in groups of three or four from a courtyard with a sign that says “Qingshan School”. They run by laughing and when they see Lin Xiao’s team, they look around curiously. The children were also attracted by the lively scene. Lin Rui and Lin Xin leaned against the car windows, babbling and pointing outside, with curiosity written all over their little faces. Lin Xiao rode on the back of the black panther and walked slowly at the front of the team. Looking at the Qingshan City in front of me, which I created with my own hands, I feel mixed emotions. A few years passed in the blink of an eye, and everything here has been deeply imprinted with his mark. This is not just a city, but also a testimony of his steps since he came to this world. “Husband, look, that big locust tree!” Yan Ruoxi suddenly pointed to a place not far away and exclaimed in surprise. Looking in the direction she pointed, the iconic big locust tree at the entrance of the village was still standing. There were stone tables and stone benches under the tree. Many old people and children were playing and enjoying the cool air in the shade of the tree, creating a peaceful atmosphere. “Let’s go and take a look.” Lin Xiao reined in Black Panther and dismounted. Everyone got off the carriage. Stepping onto the solid bluestone road, Yan Ruoxi took a deep breath. The air was filled with a familiar fragrance of grass and trees, mixed with a hint of the mixed smell of burning coal and food. It was a smell unique to Qingshan City today. “What a big change.” Yan Ruotong sighed softly, and Mrs. Lin’s eyes became moist. “Look over there,” Liu Ruyan pointed at the vague outline of a factory building in the distance, from which black smoke occasionally rose. “The last time I came here, it was just a wasteland, right? Now it looks quite large.” “That’s our steel plant and glass factory,” Lin Xiao explained, “as well as the dyeing plant and farm implement workshop. They’re all over there.” “That’s great.” Pei Xueyi said softly, “People live and work in peace and contentment, and children can go to school. This is the image of a prosperous age.” Everyone walked towards the big locust tree. “Hey, isn’t this Master Lin who has returned?” “Master Lin! It’s really Master Lin!” The people under the tree quickly recognized Lin Xiao. They stood up in surprise and gathered around him enthusiastically to greet him, their faces filled with heartfelt respect and joy. “No need to be so polite.” Lin Xiao smiled and waved his hand, his eyes sweeping over the familiar yet unfamiliar faces. At this moment, a surprised voice came: “Master Lin? Sister Ruoxi, Sister Ruotong! You are back!” Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in clean cloth with a rosy complexion walking towards them quickly. It was Wang Jian’s sister Wang Ruoran. After not seeing her for a few years, the sadness between her brows had long since disappeared, replaced by a sense of stable happiness. “Sister Ruoran!” Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong greeted her in surprise. “Oh, it really is you! And Sister Lin, Sister Wanqing…” Wang Ruoran held their hands, too excited to know what to say. “Come on, come to my house and sit down! If my mother knew you were back, she would be so happy!” “That’s great. We were just thinking of going to see Auntie too.” Lin Xiao said with a smile. Wang Ruoran led the way enthusiastically, and the group walked through the bustling streets and headed deep into the village. There are all kinds of shops on both sides of the street. The air is filled with the aroma of food and the clinking sounds coming from workshops, all of which demonstrate the prosperity and vitality of this place. “Thanks to Lord Tolin, our Qingshan Village is now the richest place in the surrounding area! There are foreign merchants coming and going every day, and it is very lively. I never dared to imagine it before!” Wang Ruoran said proudly. As they were talking, the group arrived in front of a spacious house. The house is obviously not an ordinary one, with high blue brick walls, a black lacquered gate and two majestic stone lions in front of the gate. “This is our home now.” Wang Ruoran pushed open the gate with a smile. “Jian’er has become successful now and has become a general. This house was given to us by Lord Lin!” When everyone walked into the yard, they saw three entrances and exits, pavilions and towers, which were scattered around and well maintained. Although it is not as luxurious as the county magistrate’s mansion, it is also very grand, which is consistent with Wang Jian’s current status. “Oh, it’s Lord Lin and his wives!” A crisp voice rang out, and a well dressed young woman came out quickly from the main house with a smile on her face. It was Wang Jian’s wife Zhang Jingshu. After not seeing her for a few years, Zhang Jingshu has lost some of her former frivolity and become more capable as a mistress of the house, but the shrewdness and enthusiasm in her eyes remain unchanged. When she saw Lin Xiao, her eyes lit up and she quickly knelt and saluted: “I am Zhang Jingshu, your humble servant, greeting Lord Lin, and all the ladies, young ladies, and young masters!” “Sister Jingshu, there’s no need to be so polite.” Lin Xiao nodded slightly. “Please come in, please come in! Mother in law, Lord Lin and others are here to see you!” Zhang Jingshu greeted everyone warmly and shouted into the house. Just as he finished speaking, an old but gentle voice came from inside the house: “Is it… is it Master Lin? Quick, help me out.” Soon, supported by her maid, Liu Yulan walked out slowly. Her eyes were still blind, but she had a gentle smile on her face and looked energetic. “Aunt, we’re back to see you.” Lin Xiao stepped forward and said softly. “It’s Lord Lin’s voice!” Liu Yulan turned to Lin Xiao and stretched out her hand excitedly, “It’s really Lord Lin! I, an old woman… I kowtow to you!” As she said this, she was about to kneel down. Lin Xiao quickly supported her: “Auntie, you can’t do this. You are embarrassing me.” “Yes, yes!” Liu Yulan’s eyes welled up with tears. “If it weren’t for Master Lin, our family wouldn’t have the good life we have today! Jian’er is where he is today because of your cultivation!” Chapter 337 Leisurely Everyone took their seats, and Liu Yulan was supported by Lin Xiao and sat next to the main seat. “Master Lin, you’re finally back.” Liu Yulan reached out her hand tremblingly, groping for Lin Xiao’s arm, tears welling in her eyes. “Over the past few years, whenever I hear about the changes in the village, I can’t help but think that this is all the blessing given by you, Master Lin! How could we have such a situation before? Every household didn’t have enough to eat or warm clothes, children couldn’t go to school, and if they got sick, they could only wait to die… But now? Every family has surplus food, everyone has work to do, children can go to school, and there are clinics for the sick. We don’t have to be afraid anymore!” As she spoke, tears rolled down her eyes, but they were not out of sadness, but of deep gratitude and joy. “Aunt, you’re too kind. This is the result of everyone’s joint efforts.” Lin Xiao comforted softly. “No, no, no, sir, you are the root!” Wang Ruoran took over the conversation, his tone excited. “This road, this house, this workshop, and the school, the clinic… Which one of them didn’t come from you, sir? In the past, when we farmed, the harvest depended entirely on the weather. If there was a drought, there would be nothing. Now we have water wheels, new farm tools, and I heard there are also chemical fertilizers. One acre of land can produce hundreds of kilograms of grain! Even sweet potatoes and potatoes can yield thousands of kilograms per acre! Who still has to worry about food and drink?” Zhang Jingshu, who was busy serving tea, also interrupted and said, “That’s right! Now there are foreign businessmen coming to Qingshan City every day, and our shop is so busy that we can’t handle the business!” As she spoke, her face was filled with pride and satisfaction that was hard to conceal. Yan Ruotong also smiled gently, looking at Lin Xiao with eyes full of tenderness and admiration. She clearly remembered how desolate Qingshan Village was in the past, and how prosperous it is today, all created by the man in front of her. Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan listened silently. Although they had not personally experienced the initial hardships of Qingshan Village, they had come all the way from the county town and witnessed the sufferings of the people in all parts of the Great Zhou. They knew how beautiful the current prosperity was. Especially Liu Ruyan, as the queen’s sister, she has witnessed the prosperity of the capital, but that prosperity is built on exploitation and strict hierarchy. The prosperity of Qingshan City is so real and full of vitality, and it is a place where people can live and work in peace and contentment from the heart. “Lord Lin, ladies, young masters and young ladies, let’s have dinner at home today! Let’s have a good time!” Liu Yulan invited enthusiastically. “That’s great. We won’t be polite to Auntie anymore.” Lin Xiao agreed with a smile. Zhang Jingshu immediately smiled, agreed repeatedly, and directed the servants to get busy. The sounds of chopping and frying vegetables soon came from the kitchen, and the aroma of food gradually spread. There are rich dishes on the table, all of which are fresh ingredients produced in Qingshan Village. Wang Ruoran and Zhang Jingshu kept picking up food for Lin Xiao and the female relatives, and kept talking about the changes in the village over the years. The guests and hosts enjoyed the meal very much. It was not until it was getting dark that Lin Xiao and everyone else got up to say goodbye. “Lord Lin, Madam, please come again next time!” Liu Yulan, Wang Ruoran and Zhang Jingshu accompanied them to the door, and only turned around reluctantly after the carriage had gone far away. The team slowly drove away from Wang Jian’s house, passed through the still bustling streets, and headed towards the depths of Qingshan Village. After a while, the familiar house appeared before our eyes. The carriage stopped and Lin Xiao got off first, looking at the old house in front of him. The bluestone paved ground is clean and tidy, several flower trees are in full bloom, and the air is filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and soil. Several spacious tiled houses are scattered around, there is a pavilion in the yard, and several koi fish swim leisurely in the pond. Everything was the same as when they last left, exuding a sense of warmth and tranquility. “It’s still comfortable at home!” Yan Ruoxi cheered and carried Lin Xin into the yard. Yan Ruotong also smiled and followed him in. Mrs. Lin held Qiong Qiong in her arms, and Zhang Wanqing held Chengyu in her arms. Everyone’s face showed relief and joy at returning to a familiar environment. In the following days, Lin Xiao and others settled down in Qingshan Village. Without the tedious affairs of the county magistrate’s office and the various people in the county town, life was particularly easy and comfortable. In the yard, one could often hear the low roar of the black panther and the sharp cry of the fur ball. These two guys were full of energy. They were either chasing and playing in the yard, or sneaking out of the village together to run wild in the mountains and forests. Every time he came back, Black Panther always had some wild rabbits or pheasants in his mouth, and Maoqiu always had a few fat fish in his claws, which made Yan Ruoxi and the others cheer, and there were a few more delicious dishes on the dinner table in the evening. Lin Xiao was also happy to have some free time. Apart from occasionally handling some affairs, he spent most of his time in the yard with the women. Lin Xiao sometimes lies in the rocking chair in the yard, swinging leisurely. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong would compete to feed him fruits, you take a bite of lychee, I take a bite of grape, and they enjoy the competition very much. “Husband, try this, it’s so sweet!” Yan Rutong peeled a crystal lychee and put it to Lin Xiao’s mouth. “Mine is sweeter!” Yan Ruoxi was not to be outdone and handed over a plump grape. Lin Xiao was able to please everyone and was enjoying this sweet trouble. Yan Jing and Yan Susu were also there to wait on him, well behaved and sensible. Yan Jing would fan him carefully, while Yan Susu would gently massage his shoulders and legs. “Master, are you feeling better?” Yan Susu asked softly, kneading his shoulders gently with her fingertips. Lin Xiao closed his eyes, enjoying the tranquility and comfort, “Yeah, comfortable.” Yan Susu’s fingertips gently stroked his skin, with a hint of ambiguity. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and an indescribable tingling sensation welled up in her heart. Lin Xiao opened his eyes and looked at her with a hint of smile in his eyes, “Susu, your technique is getting better and better.” “Really?” Yan Susu raised her head in surprise, with a bright light shining in her eyes. “Of course.” Lin Xiao smiled and reached out, gently scratching her nose. Yan Susu’s cheeks turned even redder, she lowered her eyes, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but rise. [Ding! Yan Susu’s favorability has increased. Current favorability is 29+5, total favorability is 34.] The system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind, and he smiled slightly. This little girl’s mind was so simple and cute. Chapter 338 Knowledge Inculcation Card Yan Susu’s favorability has increased again, which means that she can participate in the lottery again. Lin Xiao muttered to himself, “System, draw the lottery.” [Ding! Lottery in progress… Congratulations to the host, you’ve won a “Knowledge Infusion Card.”] [Knowledge Infusion Card: Designate a target person and instill a specific body of knowledge possessed by the host into them through subtle, self learning. Over time, this knowledge will gradually become absorbed and absorbed by the target person, just as if they were learning through their own thinking.] Knowledge infusion cards? Lin Xiao was delighted. This thing… was simply a timely relief! With this card, he can directly instill the complex financial knowledge into a core executor. Song Qinghe is undoubtedly one of the best candidates. He has a broad perspective, strong execution capabilities, and is loyal. Li Dequan is also quite talented in business operations. Lin Xiao quickly calculated in his mind. Although there was only one card, its value was immeasurable if used effectively. I spent a few more leisurely days in Qingshan Village. The yard was filled with children’s laughter and women’s soft and gentle words every day. Black Panther and Maoqiu are still the two bullies in the village. They often come back covered in mud and with a few unlucky prey, which draws cheers from Yan Ruoxi and the others. That day, Lin Xiao felt that it was time to return to the county town. Although Qingshan Village is good, there is still a lot of things waiting for him to deal with in the county town, especially the promotion of banks and new currency, which are even more urgent. When Lin Xiao proposed to return to the county town, Yan Ruoxi pouted, a little reluctant, but still nodded obediently. Yan Ruotong carefully began to help pack. Sister Lin and Zhang Wanqing also held their children, their eyes filled with longing for this homeland. Several carriages were ready again, and the guards were also ready to go. The convoy slowly drove out of Qingshan Village. Upon hearing the news, the villagers came out to see them off, and their simple faces were filled with reluctance and gratitude. “Master Lin, take care!” “Master Lin, come back often when you have time!” Lin Xiao smiled and waved goodbye to everyone, feeling a little emotional. Leaving Qingshan Village, the road remains flat and wide. In the fields, lush green crops are growing well, heralding another bumper year. After traveling for about an hour, the team stopped to rest under the shade of a tree. It was a hot summer day, and even sitting in the carriage was a bit stuffy. Lin Xiao turned over and got off the Black Panther. He was just about to find a shady place to rest his feet, but he saw an old farmer sitting under a big tree on the edge of a field not far away, drinking water from a coarse porcelain bowl. The old farmer was about fifty years old, with gray hair and a face full of traces of weathering, but he was in high spirits. Although his coarse cloth clothes had several patches on them, they were washed clean. Lin Xiao’s heart moved, and he walked over. “Father in law, are you taking a rest?” Lin Xiao greeted with a smile. The old farmer raised his head upon hearing the voice and saw that Lin Xiao and his group were very impressive, with guards behind them. He quickly stood up and said a little nervously, “Sir, what are you doing…” “We’re just passing by, so let’s stop by for a rest.” Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling him not to be polite. “Old man, would you mind asking for a bowl of water?” “Convenient, convenient!” The old farmer quickly handed over his water bag. “This is mountain spring water, very cool. If you don’t mind, sir…” “Thank you.” Lin Xiao was not polite and took the water bag and drank a few sips. The spring water was sweet and clear, and it really quenched his thirst. Yan Ruoxi and the others also got off the carriage and looked at it curiously. “Father in law, the harvest seems to be good around here.” Lin Xiao asked casually. Upon hearing this, the old farmer’s face immediately broke into a smile. That smile came from the bottom of his heart, filled with satisfaction and gratitude. “Master Tolin’s blessing is great! How could it not be good? In the past, I never dared to imagine having such a good life today!” He put down the coarse porcelain bowl in his hand and started talking: “Sir, you are from another place, right? You don’t know what our situation was like before. Take me, Zhao Mancang, for example. When I fled to the territory of Qinglin County, I really couldn’t get any help from heaven or earth. My two sons and one daughter in law starved to death!” The old farmer’s eyes reddened as he spoke, his voice choking. “We only have one eight year old granddaughter left, Xiaoqiuqiu. She’s skin and bones, and it looks like she’s dying. If Master Lin hadn’t come along, we would have been two piles of bones by the roadside!” Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, and the others all looked a little gloomy as they listened. They had witnessed many such tragic experiences during their escape. Zhao Mancang wiped his eyes and continued, “What about now? Sir, look at this land and this canal. They were all built by Lord Lin. And with the new crops, we can harvest thousands of kilograms per mu! We couldn’t even imagine this before! Now, every family has surplus food, and we can have a full meal every day. Little Qiuqiu has grown up plump and white, and can even go to school to learn to read. This is all thanks to the livelihood Lord Lin has given us!” He became increasingly excited as he spoke, his face flushing. “Lord Lin is truly a living Bodhisattva, a reborn parent to us common people! Which of those officials in the past didn’t work tirelessly to get the best out of us? Only Lord Lin truly cares for us common people!” Lin Xiao listened quietly, feeling mixed emotions. The simple language of an ordinary old farmer can better reflect the changes under his rule than any fancy words. He looked at Zhao Mancang’s weathered yet hopeful face, and suddenly a playful mood came over him. He smiled, “Father, is this Lord Lin you mentioned really that amazing? I’ve heard that Lord Lin is quite young, and sometimes he can be quite… well, lecherous and lazy, not like a high ranking official.” But when Zhao Mancang heard this, his face changed immediately. He stood up suddenly, his originally hunched back straightened up, glared at Lin Xiao, and said angrily: “Sir, you can’t say that! What’s wrong with Lord Lin being young? He’s young and promising! What’s wrong with Lord Lin being lazy? That’s his true nature. He doesn’t put on airs with us common people! You say he doesn’t look like a high ranking official? It’s because he cares about us common people in his heart. He doesn’t think of himself as an official riding over our heads!” The old man grew angrier and angrier as he spoke, his spit nearly spraying onto Lin Xiao’s face. “I, Zhao Mancang, am a rough man, and I don’t understand much about principles! But I know who keeps me well fed, who keeps my granddaughter educated, and who keeps the people of our land able to live like human beings! If you’ve heard any rumors, they’re just fabrications made up by others who are jealous of Lord Lin! If Lord Lin were truly as you say, how could our Qinglin County be what it is today?” His chest heaved with anger, and he pointed at the surrounding fields. “Look at these fields! Look at this road! Look at all those new houses in the village! Which one wasn’t built after Lord Lin came? If you dare say anything bad about Lord Lin again, I, Zhao Mancang, will be the first to disagree!” Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were watching from the side and couldn’t help but chuckle with their hands covering their mouths. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi also smiled. They didn’t expect that Lin Xiao’s casual words would cause such a strong reaction from the old farmer. Lin Xiao was spitted in the face, but he was not annoyed at all. Instead, he felt a little funny and touched. He waved his hands quickly: “Father in law, father in law, don’t get excited. I just said it casually. I don’t mean any harm, no harm.” “Hmph!” Zhao Mancang snorted heavily, still furious, and looked at Lin Xiao warily, “Master Lin is our pillar, and we won’t tolerate anyone talking nonsense!” Lin Xiao rubbed his nose, thinking that this father in law had quite a temper. However, this sincere defense made him feel warm inside. “Yes, yes, what you said is right, old man.” Lin Xiao smiled and nodded, “Lord Lin is indeed a good official.” Zhao Mancang’s expression finally softened a bit and he sat down again, but there was still a bit of scrutiny in his eyes as he looked at Lin Xiao. Chapter 339: Initial Coinage “Gee! Gee!” A burst of rapid horse hoof sounds came from afar, and a guard with a command flag on his back rode a fast horse and rushed over like a whirlwind. The guard ran up and saw Lin Xiao. He immediately dismounted, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice: “Your Excellency Lin! The first batch of gold, silver, and copper coins from the Qinglin County Mint have been successfully minted! Your Excellency Zhang, please review them!” “Oh?” Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows, a hint of joy on his face, “I see.” “Lin… Lord Lin?” Zhao Mancang’s eyes were wide open and his mouth was wide enough to fit an egg. He looked at the guard kneeling on the ground, then looked at the ” official ” in front of him who was spitted on by him but was still smiling . His mind buzzed and went blank. Just now…what nonsense did I say just now? I actually said to Master Lin in front of him… Zhao Mancang felt his legs go limp, and he fell to his knees with a thud, banging his forehead against the ground. He cried, “I deserve to die! I was blind and disrespectful to Master Lin! Master, you… even if you break my old bones, I won’t complain!” As he spoke, he kowtowed “dong dong dong”. The fear and regret in his eyes made people feel heartbroken. “Father in law, get up quickly, get up quickly!” Lin Xiao hurried forward to help him up. “I don’t blame you. You said it from the heart. I’m so happy to hear it!” “Sir…” Zhao Mancang was supported by Lin Xiao, but he was still trembling all over and was so excited that he couldn’t speak clearly. He never dreamed that Lord Lin, whom he revered as a god, would be so approachable and chat with him for a long time, and even asked for a bowl of water. “Alright, old man. We have things to do, so we’ll leave first.” Lin Xiao patted his shoulder and said gently, “Live a good life. If you have any difficulties in the future, just go to the authorities.” After saying that, Lin Xiao led everyone to get on their horses again, and surrounded by a group of guards, they headed towards the county town. Zhao Mancang knelt there blankly, looking at Lin Xiao’s receding back, his eyes blurred with tears. He wiped his face vigorously, kowtowed several times, and muttered, “Living Bodhisattva, truly a living Bodhisattva…” In the carriage, Yan Ruoxi finally couldn’t help but burst out laughing: “Husband, you were so funny just now! You were scolded for a long time, but you were still cheerful.” Lin Xiao shook his head helplessly: “This old man is also sincere, how can I bother with him.” Yan Ruotong also smiled and said, “To be so supported by the people, your husband’s achievements are greater than those of thousands of troops.” Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi looked at Lin Xiao, and there was a strange glow in their eyes. This man is sometimes domineering and sometimes gentle, but he always manages to do earth shaking things inadvertently and win people’s hearts. There was no conversation along the way, and the team soon returned to the county seat of Qinglin County. Arriving at the gate of the County Magistrate’s Mansion, Lin Xiao said to Yan Ruotong and the others, “Take the children back and rest first. I’ll go to the currency factory to take a look.” The currency factory was located in a relatively secluded area south of the county town. It was surrounded by high walls and the gate was heavily guarded, with strict security. Before getting close, you can hear the faint roar of machines running and the sound of metal knocking coming from inside. As soon as Lin Xiao arrived at the door, Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe, who had already received the news, hurried out to greet him. “Sir!” The two of them bowed in unison. “No need to be so polite.” Lin Xiao dismounted and glanced at the rather large factory building in front of him. “Let’s go in and take a look.” “Yes, sir, please come in!” Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe led the way. As soon as you enter the currency factory, you are hit by a wave of heat mixed with the unique smell of metal. The interior of the factory is extremely large and is divided into several areas. The outermost area is the raw material processing area, where ingots of gold, silver and copper are piled up. The workers are busy carrying out the preliminary smelting and purification of these metals, with the furnace fire blazing and the hot steam rising. Going further in, you will reach the core minting area. There are several semi mechanized coin making machines placed here, which were built by Lin Xiao based on the principles of simple stamping machines of later generations and had Zhang Fuan organize craftsmen to build. Although these machines cannot be compared with the sophisticated equipment of later generations, they were already remarkable creations in that era. The workers have clear division of labor. Some are responsible for pouring the melted gold, silver and copper liquid into specific molds, some are responsible for operating the machines for stamping, and some are responsible for polishing and inspecting the initially formed coins. Song Qinghe introduced, “Sir, this currency factory currently has over 300 craftsmen working day and night. We have strictly reviewed all the craftsmen according to your instructions, and implemented closed door management to ensure that the technology and processes are not leaked.” Lin Xiao nodded, scanning every link with sharp eyes. Zhang Fuan, with a look of excitement and pride, pointed to a running coin making machine and said, “Look, sir! This machine can stamp out tens of thousands of copper coins a day! Silver and gold coins have a slightly lower output due to the more complex process, but the efficiency is far superior to traditional manual casting!” He led Lin Xiao to a special finished product inspection room. The table in the middle of the room was covered with a red silk cloth, on which were neatly arranged three piles of brand new coins, shining with gold, silver, and the unique warm luster of red copper. “Brother Xiao, please look!” Zhang Fuan carefully picked up a gold coin and handed it to Lin Xiao. This gold coin is about the size of an adult’s thumb, with a round square hole, and feels slightly heavy in the hand. On the front are four powerful characters “Qinglin Yuanbao”, and on the back is an exquisite pattern a simplified Qingshan Village waterwheel and farmland, symbolizing Lin Xiao’s roots and people oriented philosophy. Lin Xiao took the gold coin and examined it carefully. The edges of the coin were polished very smoothly, the writing and pattern were clear and deep, and the quality was excellent. “For this gold coin, we used 98% pure gold to ensure its value,” Zhang Fuan explained. “The silver coin is 95% pure silver, and the copper coin is also made of the finest red copper.” He picked up another silver coin and a copper coin and showed them to Lin Xiao one by one. The styles of silver and copper coins are similar to those of gold coins, except that the patterns on the back are slightly different, namely gears representing industry and commerce and ears of wheat representing agriculture. “Brother Xiao, we have added special anti counterfeiting marks to these coins as you instructed.” Zhang Fuan’s tone was filled with a hint of pride. “Oh? Tell me about it.” Lin Xiao asked with interest. “Look at the edge of this coin,” Zhang Fuan said, bringing a silver coin closer. “We’ve used special tools to roll out a circle of extremely fine, continuous lines on the edge. This kind of line is extremely difficult for ordinary craftsmen to imitate. Moreover, there are tiny bumps at regular intervals, which are not easy to see with the naked eye, but can be felt by touch.” Lin Xiao gently stroked the edge of the silver coin with his fingertips, and indeed felt the fine lines and tiny bumps, and nodded approvingly. This kind of piping technology is indeed unique in this era. “In addition,” Zhang Fuan continued, “we also made some minor adjustments to the metal ratio during the casting process, so that the coins we mint are different from other coins on the market in terms of color and sound. An experienced banker can tell the authenticity of a coin just by handling it and listening to the sound.” Song Qinghe added, “Sir, the weight and size of these coins are also strictly standardized, with very small errors. This not only facilitates the counting of large transactions, but also increases the difficulty of counterfeiting.” Lin Xiao picked up a gold coin and flicked it lightly with his fingertips, making a clear and pleasant buzzing sound with a long sound. He picked up another silver coin and flicked it again. The sound was slightly different, but just as pure. “Not bad, very good!” Lin Xiao showed a satisfied smile on his face. “Fuan, Qinghe, you did a great job! This batch of coins exceeded my expectations in terms of quality, craftsmanship and anti counterfeiting.” Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe both showed joy on their faces after receiving Lin Xiao’s praise. “This is all thanks to your good guidance, Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan said with a simple smile. Chapter 340: Rejuvenating Pill Lin Xiao gently put down the coins in his hand, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: “Coins are the body, the flesh and blood, while the bank is the heart, the lifeline. The two complement each other, and only then can the entire Qinglin County, and even the land under our future rule, truly live and become strong.” He looked at Song Qinghe: “How is the preparation for the bank going?” Song Qinghe bowed and said, “Your Excellency, according to your plan, we’ve already made progress in site selection, preliminary personnel screening, and drafting regulations. However, although I understand a few key aspects, especially how to balance the risks of attracting deposits and issuing loans, how to set reasonable interest rates, and how to ensure the effective flow and appreciation of funds, I still feel like there’s a layer of fog between them and I can’t fully grasp them.” Lin Xiao nodded. This was exactly what he expected. The complexity and sophistication of the financial system was far beyond the ability of people of this era to easily understand. He silently said in his mind: “System, use the ‘knowledge infusion card’ on Song Qinghe to instill the ‘financial knowledge system’.” [Ding! Knowledge infusion card successfully used. Target: Song Qinghe. Knowledge system: Finance (modern to contemporary). Infusion method: Subtle influence, self comprehension.] Almost at the moment when the system prompt sounded, Song Qinghe, who was listening attentively, trembled slightly and his eyes were confused for a moment. He felt as if countless scattered thoughts and information were colliding and merging rapidly in his mind. All the principles about banking, currency, credit and exchange rates that Lin Xiao had talked about before suddenly came to mind as if it were a revelation. Many things that I couldn’t understand before now become extremely clear. After about a cup of tea, Song Qinghe suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining, “Sir! I understand! So that’s it! So that’s it!” He spoke rapidly but clearly, “A bank is more than just a money house; it’s a credit hub, a center for allocating funds! Controlling risk through the reserve requirement system, regulating the market through interest rate leverage, accelerating circulation through bill trading… This, this is simply a profound science! Your Excellency, how…how did you…” Seeing Song Qinghe’s expression, as if he had just been enlightened, Lin Xiao smiled with satisfaction. This knowledge infusion card was indeed very useful. “I’m glad you understand.” Lin Xiao waved his hand. “Think over the specific details carefully and come up with a comprehensive plan as soon as possible. The issuance of new currency must be supported by banks to achieve its greatest effectiveness.” “Yes! Don’t worry, sir! Qinghe will definitely live up to the mission!” Song Qinghe was full of confidence at this moment. He felt countless inspirations bursting out in his mind, and he couldn’t wait to put those brilliant ideas into practice immediately. Lin Xiao then told Zhang Fuan some details about the subsequent coin minting before leaving the currency factory. When we returned to the county magistrate’s mansion, the backyard was already warm and cozy. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were holding Lin Rui and Lin Xin, Mrs. Lin was holding Lin Youning, and Zhang Wanqing was holding Zhang Chengyu. The little ones all opened their big black eyes and looked at the world curiously. Thanks to the fact that their mothers took the powder of Xiaohuandan during pregnancy, these children were born exceptionally strong, with delicate features and eyebrows , and their bodies were as delicate as jade. They developed faster than children from ordinary families and were more smart. “My husband is back.” Yan Ruoxi’s eyes lit up when she saw Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao walked over with a smile and kissed each of the little ones on their pink cheeks, making them giggle. “Look at these little ones, they change every day.” Lin Xiao teased Lin Rui’s little chin, “In a few months, I’m afraid they will be able to run all over the place.” “That’s right, Rui’er is very energetic, and his legs are kicking happily.” Yan Ruotong’s face was filled with maternal radiance. Lin Xiao chatted with his wife and children for a while, then took them to the amusement park. Liu Ruyan was playing on the carousel with Zhou Meir, while Yan Jing and Yan Susu were swinging with Qiong Qiong. “Young Master!” When the Yan sisters saw Lin Xiao, they stopped immediately and called out coquettishly. “Uncle!” Qiong Qiong also jumped off the swing and hugged Lin Xiao’s thighs. “Slow down, slow down.” Lin Xiao smiled and touched her head. Liu Ruyan came over, holding Zhou Meir in her arms. She was wearing a lavender dress that made her look even more graceful and charming. Seeing Lin Xiao, she smiled, her eyes moving with a hint of tenderness. “Will the adults come play with the children too?” “Yeah, it’s a good opportunity to take a break from my busy life.” Lin Xiao smiled, his gaze lingering on her pretty face for a moment. Yan Jing and Yan Susu stood aside, watching Lin Xiao playing with the children, their eyes full of admiration and love. Lin Xiao played on the slide with the children for a while. Yan Jing carefully handed him a towel to wipe his sweat, while Yan Susu brought him a cup of dried herbal tea. “Young Master, have a drink of water.” Yan Susu’s voice was soft and her cheeks were slightly red. Lin Xiao took the teacup and his fingers accidentally touched her slightly cold fingertips. Yan Susu shrank her hand like a frightened deer and her face turned even redder. Liu Ruyan watched from the side, a smile flashing in her eyes. She walked gently to Lin Xiao and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Her movements were natural and intimate. The faint fragrance from her body wafted through Lin Xiao’s heart, and he took advantage of the situation to hold her soft hand. Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes at him coquettishly, but did not pull back. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability detected +6, current favorability: 47.] [Ding! Yan Jing’s favorability detected +3, current favorability: 29.] [Ding! Yan Susu’s favorability detected +5, current favorability: 34.] [Current number of draws available: 2.] It’s time to draw again! Lin Xiao was delighted in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface. He played with everyone for a while, and when he saw that it was getting late, everyone dispersed. Back in the study, Lin Xiao dismissed his attendants and immersed his consciousness in the system. “System, start the lottery!” [Ding! Lottery drawing…] The familiar roulette wheel spins again. [Congratulations to the host, you have obtained ten “Small Huandan” pills! ] Another Xiao Huan Dan! Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. “Not bad, not bad, keep going!” [Ding! Lottery drawing…] The roulette wheel slowly stopped again. [Congratulations to the host, you have obtained ten “Rejuvenating Pills”! ] [Item Description: Rejuvenating Pill, crafted from the essence of heaven and earth, the sun and moon. Taking one pill will restore your complexion to its peak state, preserving it permanently and ensuring eternal youth. No side effects.] Rejuvenating Pill?! Lin Xiao looked at the item description and his breathing became slightly rapid. Restore your appearance to its peak, and… maintain it forever, forever young! This… this is simply the ultimate dream of every woman! The faces of Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, Sister Lin, and Zhang Wanqing flashed through his mind. Time is merciless and beauty fades easily. Even the most beautiful woman can hardly resist the erosion of time. But now, with this anti aging pill, they can freeze their best years forever! To a certain extent, the value of these ten anti aging pills is even more precious than those magical weapons and martial arts secrets! Lin Xiao withdrew his consciousness from the system, and two jade bottles appeared in his hands. One contained ten small pills that exuded a faint medicinal fragrance, and the other contained ten crystal clear anti aging pills that seemed to contain flowing light. He put the jade bottle away carefully, and the smile on his lips could no longer be suppressed. The harvest this time is so rich! Chapter 341 Eternal Youth In the evening, Lin Xiao cooked personally, and the table was still full of delicious dishes. While cooking, he crushed the Xiao Huan Dan again and mixed it into the soup. The dining room was brightly lit. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Sister Lin, Zhang Wanqing, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi, as well as sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu, and Aunt Wang all sat around a table. The atmosphere was lively and warm. “My husband is in a really good mood today and has prepared a big meal for us again!” Yan Ruoxi picked up a dish with chopsticks and smiled. “Thank you all for your hard work. Eat more.” Lin Xiao greeted with a smile. Everyone started eating and praised the food. Xiaohuandan has a mild medicinal effect. When it is blended into dishes, it makes the dishes seem extra delicious. After eating it, you will feel warm all over and full of energy. After having a good meal and a good drink, Lin Xiao cleared his throat and took out an exquisite jade bottle from his arms. It was the bottle containing the ten anti aging pills. “Today, I got some good things and want to give them to everyone.” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over every woman present. The girls all looked over curiously. Lin Xiao opened the jade bottle and poured out a crystal clear pill that exuded a faint fragrance. He held it in his palm and said, “This is called the Rejuvenating Pill. Each of you will take one.” “Anti aging pill? Could it be able to keep us young forever?” Yan Ruoxi joked. “You’ll know if you try it,” Lin Xiao smiled and handed the pills to the girls. The girls took the pills and suddenly felt a little uneasy. Could something Lin Xiao gave them be bad? But is there really something in this world that can make people eternally young? Under Lin Xiao’s encouraging gaze, they took the anti aging pill with excitement and nervousness. The pill melted in the mouth, and a cool, sweet and warm current instantly spread throughout the body. The first person to notice a change was Mrs. Lin. The few lines around her eyes, which were once barely visible, faded and disappeared before everyone’s amazement! Her skin also became radiant and smooth, as if she had aged seven or eight years! “Ah! My face!” Mrs. Lin touched her cheek in surprise, her eyes filled with tears of excitement. Aunt Wang was in a similar situation. The skin on her face became firm and delicate, and her whole body glowed with amazing radiance, as if she had returned to her youthful appearance when she first got married. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong are already young and beautiful. After taking the medicine, their skin becomes even more delicate and smooth, as if they have their own halo, and their every frown and smile is full of heart throbbing charm. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi, one elegant and noble, the other gentle and graceful, are even more radiant and beautiful at this moment, as if time has pressed the pause button on them, forever frozen in the best years of their lives. Zhang Wanqing looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her skin was as delicate as a peeled egg. She exuded youthful vitality, and her shyness was mixed with endless joy. The sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu are already in their prime, and at this moment they are like flowers in bud, tender and juicy, with an alluring aura. The only sounds in the room were the women’s surprised gasps and cries of disbelief. They looked at each other and themselves in the mirror, and the shock and ecstasy they felt were indescribable. After a moment of silence, there were uncontrollable cheers and tears of joy. “Husband! This is so… so precious!” Yan Ruoxi threw herself into Lin Xiao’s arms, her voice choked with sobs. “Brother Lin Xiao, you are so good to us!” Mrs. Lin’s eyes also turned red and she was moved to tears of gratitude. Liu Ruyan’s beautiful eyes were filled with ripples as she stared at Lin Xiao and said softly, “Your Excellency has given me such a generous gift. I… have no way to repay you.” She leaned lightly on Lin Xiao’s shoulder, her breath as fragrant as orchid. Pei Xueyi sat down next to Lin Xiao, quietly held his hand with her bare hands, and said softly, “My Lord, you have shown us great love and loyalty, and I will always remember this.” Aunt Wang was even more direct. She held Lin Xiao’s hand and kept saying thank you. Her plump body rubbed against Lin Xiao from time to time, and her eyes were full of charm. Zhang Wanqing blushed and whispered, “Thank you… Thank you, Brother Xiao.” Her long legs unconsciously came together, with a hint of nervous temptation. The sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu snuggled up to Lin Xiao, one on each side, rubbing their little heads on his arms, full of admiration and dependence. “Master is so nice!” “The young master is the best to us!” Lin Xiao was surrounded by women, enjoying their warmth and gratitude, and felt extremely proud. The effect of this anti aging pill is indeed immediate. Which woman can resist such temptation? This night is destined to be a sleepless night. The women excitedly discussed each other’s changes, and were particularly proactive towards Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao was also happy to enjoy this gentle place, and the mansion was filled with an ambiguous and warm atmosphere. The next day, in the meeting room of the county governor’s office. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, and core members including Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, and Wang Jian were all present. “Everyone, I’ve gathered you here today to hear about the recent developments in the territory, as well as the final preparations for the bank and the promotion of the new currency.” Lin Xiao said. Li Dequan was the first to stand up, his spirits high and his voice booming, “Reporting to you, sir. Since the statistics were taken a few days ago, the population of Qinglin County and the newly acquired counties has continued to grow. The newly accepted refugees have been initially settled, and the reclamation and cultivation of wasteland are progressing smoothly. Public security is good in all areas, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. The cement road network has been further extended, and several key water conservancy projects are nearing completion. We anticipate that this year’s autumn harvest will be another unprecedented bountiful harvest!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction and looked at Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan smiled innocently, “Sir, all the factories are running well. At the glass factory, mirrors and glassware are in short supply. The spinning jennys and new looms at the textile factory are working day and night, perfectly meeting the needs of the territory and even exporting them. The steel and cement plants are also producing at full capacity, providing a solid foundation for all the construction projects. As for the currency factory, the first batch of new gold, silver, and copper coins have been minted in full quantity according to your request. They are of excellent craftsmanship and have strict anti counterfeiting measures. They are ready for use at any time!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian also reported on the military situation. Sun Mingde said, “Sir, the Qinglin Army has expanded its standing army to 300,000 men, with 100,000 in reserve. All key passes are heavily guarded, and the security within the territory is good, with no large scale banditry.” Wang Jian added: “New recruits are training as planned, veterans are rotating in for firearms drills, and morale is high. The scout battalion has also been expanded, enhancing its intelligence gathering capabilities in surrounding counties.” Finally, there was Song Qinghe. Thanks to Lin Xiao’s “knowledge infusion,” his understanding of the financial system far surpassed everyone else’s, and he was now brimming with confidence. “Sir,” Song Qinghe stepped forward, his voice steady and powerful, “The bank’s preparations are all complete! The head office is located in the county town, with branches in each county. Staff training, rules and regulations, and risk control plans are all complete. Once your order is given, we can promote it to the entire territory along with the new currency!” Song Qinghe’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Once the bank is up and running and the new currency is in circulation, it will greatly promote the prosperity of commerce under our rule, accelerate the flow of funds, and inject strong momentum into the further development of the territory!” Listening to everyone’s reports, Lin Xiao smiled with satisfaction. Everything was progressing steadily in the direction he had planned. “Alright!” Lin Xiao slammed the table. “Now that everything is ready, let’s choose a date to officially launch the new currency and open a bank! This is a matter of great importance. Qinghe, you will take full responsibility, and Uncle Dequan will assist you. Make sure everything goes smoothly!” “Yes! Sir!” Song Qinghe and others responded in unison, their voices full of enthusiasm. Chapter 342 Bank Opening The announcement of Qinglin Bank’s opening and the introduction of the new currency spread like a spring breeze throughout Lin Xiao’s territory. For a time, the streets, alleys, and fields were abuzz with discussion. “Bank? What’s this new thing?” “They say it’s a government run bank. Depositing money there is not only safe, but it also gives you extra money. What’s it called…interest?” “Is this true? If you put money in, it can give birth to a baby?” “That’s not all! From now on, when you go out to do things, you don’t have to carry heavy silver with you. You can just take a bank note and exchange it for new money anywhere. It’s so convenient!” “Also, I heard that if you’re short on money and want to buy seeds, farm tools, or start a small business, you can borrow money from the bank. The interest rate is way lower than those shady usurers!” “And new money! Gold, silver, and copper, all engraved with our Master Lin’s mark. I heard they’re pure gold, true to measure. No more worrying about receiving those rotten coins that are short of weight!” Zhao Mancang, carrying his few pieces of silver, followed the crowd to the newly opened Qinglin Bank in the town. The bank is built in an imposing manner, with blue bricks and black tiles. There are energetic guards standing at the door, which makes people feel at ease just by looking at them. He had lived for most of his life, and this was the first time he had heard of the good news of saving money and making more money. His little savings were for his granddaughter Xiaoqiuqiu, so if he could really make more, that would be great. He saw Wang Laosan from the next village coming out of the bank in high spirits, clutching a few brand new banknotes and a handful of shiny new copper coins. “Laosan, how’s it going?” “Brother, this bank is really great! I deposited all my little savings there, and they gave me this, called a ‘deposit certificate,’ and told me to come back and withdraw it in a few days, and the money will be even bigger! Look at this new money, it’s so shiny!” Zhao Mancang felt much more at ease. He squeezed into the crowd, and a young man in a clean uniform politely explained the situation to him. When he took out his deposit slip and exchanged a few old silver coins of insufficient purity for heavy new silver coins with exquisite patterns, the old man’s eyes were wet. “Lord Lin, you are truly a living Bodhisattva for us ordinary people!” He had never seen an official who cared so much about the people in his entire life. In Jiaoshi County, Wang Tiezhu and his son Wang Gousheng also watched the bustle outside the bank. Wang Tiezhu had never trusted the government in his life, but Lin Xiao was different. “Dad, this bank is great! We can deposit the money we earn from selling our grain here, and we won’t have to worry about thieves!” Wang Gousheng took a newly minted silver dollar and looked at it over and over again. “This coin is so exquisitely made and has a good weight!” Wang Tiezhu took a puff of his pipe and a long lost smile appeared on his face: “Yes, from now on, when doing business, we will use this new money, and there will be no cheating between young and old. If we want to buy more fertilizers in the spring, we can also borrow some from the bank. The interest rate is low and it’s cost effective!” He thought of his neighbors who were forced into desperation by usury, and his heart was filled with emotion. For a time, long queues formed at bank branches all over Qinglin County. Some came to deposit money, some to exchange new currency, and some were small vendors asking about loans. People’s faces were filled with excitement and trust, as if they saw their days becoming more and more prosperous. Song Qinghe and Li Dequan stood on the second floor of the head office in the county city, looking at the crowds of people downstairs, with mixed feelings in their hearts. “Uncle Dequan, the people trust us.” Song Qinghe’s voice trembled slightly. The “financial” knowledge that Lin Xiao instilled in him was like opening the door to a new world. Now that he saw these theories blossom and bear fruit in reality and benefit the people, the sense of accomplishment was indescribable. Li Dequan stroked his beard and smiled from ear to ear: “Yes, Qinghe. Brother Xiao’s method is magical! Look at the smiling faces of the people, it’s better than anything else!” In the conference room, Lin Xiao listened to everyone’s reports and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. “Sir, the Qinglin Bank and the new currency have been welcomed by the people, and the situation is unprecedented!” Song Qinghe was the first to report, his tone unable to conceal his excitement. “The county branches are in good order, the amount of deposits is increasing every day, and the circulation of the new currency is also very smooth. The people have discarded the counterfeit old currency like a piece of trash.” Li Dequan added, “Brother Xiao, everyone in the territory now praises your kindness. They all say that this bank and the new currency are another great favor you have bestowed upon us.” Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde and others also reported on the various conveniences brought about by the new measures. Lin Xiao nodded slightly. “Very good. This is just the beginning. Qinghe, the operation of the bank must prioritize stability. Accounts must be clear, supervision must be strict, especially when it comes to lending. We must support the people’s production and commercial development while also strictly guarding against risks. We must not allow this initiative that benefits the people to be distorted.” “Furthermore, we must continue to educate the public about the uses of banks and currency, so they truly understand how to use these tools to improve their lives, rather than blindly following trends.” Lin Xiao’s gaze was profound. “Finance is a powerful tool. Used well, it can strengthen our foundation; used poorly, the backlash can be equally dire. You must always be vigilant.” “I understand! I will live up to your trust!” Song Qinghe and others responded in unison, and their admiration for Lin Xiao deepened. After everyone dispersed, Lin Xiao returned to his study to deal with some backlog of official business. Pei Xueyi stood by his side as usual, grinding ink and adding incense for him. Lin Xiao was reviewing a document about water conservancy repairs. One of the place names was a little blurry, and he frowned slightly. Pei Xueyi observed his expression and said softly, “Sir, are there any doubts about the records of this ‘Longshou Beach’?” Lin Xiao looked up at her. She was leaning forward slightly, looking intently at the documents. A strand of her hair fell down inadvertently, almost brushing his cheek. The subtle and elegant fragrance on her body lingered around the nose, making people feel a little excited. “Well, the records here are slightly different from the previous feng shui map.” Lin Xiao said, tapping his finger on the map. Pei Xueyi leaned in for a closer look and explained in a gentle voice, “Sir, the topography here has indeed changed in recent years due to river diversion. I saw the latest annotations when I was sorting through the maps a few days ago.” As she spoke, she turned around and took down a scroll of atlas from the bookshelf, spread it out in front of Lin Xiao, and pointed at one of the places with her slender jade finger. The two of them were head to head, very close to each other. Lin Xiao could clearly see her delicate skin and her long, slightly fluttering eyelashes. Her unique fragrance, mixed with the scent of ink, was particularly pleasant. “So that’s how it is. Xueyi, you are very thoughtful and helped me a lot.” Lin Xiao smiled approvingly and hugged Pei Xueyi in his arms. Pei Xueyi’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she placed her hand on Lin Xiao’s chest: “It is Xueyi’s duty to share your worries.” [Ding! Pei Xueyi’s favorability increased to 31+3, current favorability: 34.] Lin Xiao smiled in his heart and was about to say something else. Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the study, and a maid ran in in a panic, shouting breathlessly, “Master! It’s bad! Madam Wang… Madam Wang… She has a severe stomachache, and the midwife said… she said she’s about to give birth!” Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao suddenly stood up from his chair, and the relaxed look on his face was instantly replaced by concern. “Is Aunt Wang about to give birth?” His heart tightened and he walked out quickly, “Quick, take me to see!” Chapter 343 A New Member The lights were on in the courtyard where Aunt Wang lived. The midwife and several maids were coming in and out, looking a little nervous. Nini stood in the corridor, her face pale. When she saw Lin Xiao coming over, she seemed to have found her backbone, and her eyes reddened: “Brother Lin Xiao!” “Don’t be afraid, it will be fine.” Lin Xiao patted her shoulder and walked straight into the delivery room. Aunt Wang was lying on the bed, her forehead covered in sweat, her hair messy and sticking to her cheeks, and she was gritting her teeth to endure the pain. When she saw Lin Xiao, a hint of dependence and peace of mind flashed in her eyes. “Auntie, I’m here.” Lin Xiao held her sweaty hand and spoke in a steady voice. The midwife was very experienced. Although she was a little surprised to see Lin Xiao come in, she didn’t say much since she saw that he looked calm. She just guided Aunt Wang to use more force. As time passed, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly tense. “Wow——” a loud cry broke the silence. “It’s born! It’s born! It’s a girl!” the midwife shouted happily. Lin Xiao and Aunt Wang both breathed a sigh of relief. Aunt Wang’s face showed a tired but happy smile. The maid skillfully wrapped the newborn baby in soft swaddling clothes and brought it to Lin Xiao: “Congratulations, sir, congratulations, sir, it’s a beautiful lady.” Lin Xiao took the child in his hand. The little guy had his eyes closed, his face was red, and his little mouth was smacking. He was so cute. A wonderful feeling of blood connection surged in his heart. He leaned over and gently kissed his daughter’s forehead: “Thank you for your hard work, Auntie.” Aunt Wang shook her head and looked at the child tenderly: “It’s not hard.” Nini also came over and looked at her little sister in the cradle with curiosity, her little face full of joy: “Brother Lin Xiao, my little sister is so small.” Lin Xiao smiled, took out a small porcelain bottle from his arms, poured out a little bit of Xiao Huan Dan powder, carefully dipped some, and gently touched the baby girl’s lips. The little guy sucked it and didn’t seem to react. “Let’s give her a name.” Aunt Wang said softly. Lin Xiao pondered for a moment and said, “Let’s call him Lin Nian, Nian means missing.” “Lin Nian, Nian Nian…” Aunt Wang muttered, her eyes full of tenderness. For the next period of time, Lin Xiao stayed in the mansion most of the time, enjoying the rare leisure time. The children were having fun. Lin Rui and Lin Xin could already walk a few unsteady steps and babbled to learn to speak. Zhang Chengyu and Lin Youning were also plump and fair, and giggled from time to time. The new addition, Lin Nian, was the envy of all. Lin Xiao also began to teach Lin Rui and Lin Xin some simple words. With their father by their side, the two little guys learned quite well. In the children’s playground in the backyard, the laughter of children and Lin Xiao’s hearty laughter can often be heard. Time flies, and it is autumn harvest season again. Unlike previous years, this year’s autumn harvest, the entire Qinglin County and even the newly annexed Hongnong County were filled with unprecedented joy and anticipation. With good weather, improved seeds and new farming techniques, the visible harvest scene made every citizen smile. Zhao Mancang stood on the ridge of his own field, looking at the golden waves of rice in front of him, and was so excited that tears streamed down his face. The heavy rice ears bent the stalks, and the plump grains seemed about to burst. He seemed to see countless white rice piled up into small mountains. The granddaughter Xiaoqiuqiu was wearing clean new clothes, chasing butterflies by the field, and laughing like a silver bell. “Oh God! Lord Lin is truly a living Bodhisattva!” Zhao Mancang wiped away his tears, his voice choked with sobs. He thought back to the days when he fled, when he was starving and poorly clothed, and then looked at himself now, with his family having enough food and his granaries full. It was a world of difference. He felt that meeting Lord Lin in this life was a blessing he had earned through many lifetimes. In Jiaoshi County, Wang Tiezhu and his son Wang Gousheng were busy working in the fields with the villagers. Wang Tiezhu’s pipe was practically sparking from his smoke, and the wrinkles on his face were like a chrysanthemum in his smile. “Dad, look at this millet, every grain is full! We can store a lot more food this year!” Wang Gousheng was carrying a heavy bundle of rice, his face was covered in sweat, but he couldn’t stop smiling. “Yes, it’s all thanks to Lord Tolin!” Wang Tiezhu said with emotion. The entire territory, from Qinglin County to Xinna, was filled with a busy and joyful scene of harvest. County Magistrate’s Mansion, meeting hall. Lin Xiao sat at the main seat, and core members including Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan, and Sun Mingde were all present. Everyone had an expression of joy that was difficult to conceal. Li Dequan’s beard trembled with excitement. He stood up and reported in a loud voice: “Sir! A great harvest! An unprecedented harvest!” He unfolded the account book in his hand and began to list the data in detail. “Your Excellency, according to statistics from various counties, this autumn harvest, in Qinglin County alone, is expected to bring in 86 million dan of grain! Nanyang and Wanshui counties, despite the war, have also brought in nearly 30 million dan after resuming farming! And in Hongnong County, preliminary estimates put the total at over 45 million dan!” hiss Even though everyone had expected this, they still couldn’t help but gasp when they heard this shocking number. This adds up to more than 160 million shi of grain! What does this mean? It’s enough to provide millions of soldiers and civilians in the entire territory with food and clothing for several years, and there’s even a huge surplus! “Good! Good! Good!” Lin Xiao said three good words in a row, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. This rich family background will provide him with a solid foundation for implementing more plans in the future. He looked at everyone and said, “When the grain is stored, it must be protected from moisture and rodents. Granaries in all regions must be strictly guarded and no mistakes are allowed.” “Yes!” everyone answered in unison. Lin Xiao continued, “After the harvest, we must not slack off. We must continue to maintain and build water conservancy facilities. We must encourage the people to engage in winter sideline production, such as poultry farming and weaving, to increase their income. At the same time, schools across the country must also work hard to popularize elementary education.” “Also, Qinghe, banks must continue to promote the new currency and help people get used to using it. Fuan, factories must also continue production, especially farm tools, cement, steel, etc., to prepare for next year’s spring plowing and various construction projects.” Instructions were given one after another in an orderly fashion, and everyone obeyed with awe. Seeing Lin Xiao strategizing, their admiration grew. In these troubled times, with such a wise leader leading the way, there is no need to worry about not achieving great things! Chapter 344: Free as a God After the joy of the harvest, Lin Xiao lived a fairy like life again. The children’s playground in the backyard of the mansion has almost become an exclusive world for him and his children. “Daddy, higher! Higher!” Lin Rui rode on the broad back of the black panther, his small body rising and falling with the black panther’s steady steps. His little face flushed with excitement, and he grabbed Lin Xiao’s arm and shouted loudly. The black panther was also happy to act as the children’s mount. It walked with steady steps and snorted from time to time, making Lin Rui giggle. Lin Xiao protected Lin Rui with one hand and gently patted Black Panther’s neck with the other: “Slow down, don’t shake our Rui’er.” Not far away, Yan Ruoxi held Lin Xin in her arms, while Lin Xin stretched out her small hands, staring longingly at the ball of fur circling in the sky. Its golden feathers shone brightly in the sunlight, and occasionally, it let out a clear eagle cry. “Xin’er, do you want to fly high too?” Lin Xiao walked over with a smile and took Lin Xin from Yan Ruoxi’s arms. He held Lin Xin in his arms and jumped lightly onto the furry ball’s back. The fur ball sensed its master’s intention, flapped its wings, and slowly rose into the air. “Wow!” Lin Xin experienced the feeling of flying for the first time. Her little mouth opened into an “O” shape and she hugged Lin Xiao’s neck tightly. Her big eyes were full of novelty and excitement. On the ground, Zhang Wanqing, Sister Lin, and Aunt Wang each held Zhang Chengyu, Lin Youning, and Lin Nian in their arms, looking at the two figures, one big and one small, in the sky, with gentle smiles on their faces. When the children were tired from playing, Lin Xiao lay down on the rocking chair in the backyard, dozing off with his eyes slightly closed. The two sisters, Yan Jing and Yan Susu, stood quietly beside him, one on each side. Yan Jing gently massaged his shoulders, while Yan Susu massaged his legs. “Master, would you like some sour plum soup?” Yan Jing asked softly, her voice as melodious as an oriole. Lin Xiao snorted lazily, squinting his eyes. He felt that this day was incredibly comfortable. He placed one hand on Yan Jing’s soft waist, and with the other hand, he held Yan Susu’s small hand, feeling its delicateness and warmth. Days like this are so good. Lin Xiao sighed in his heart, this is what he wanted in the beginning, a wife and children, a warm bed, and a comfortable life. Just as Lin Xiao was enjoying the afternoon leisurely, he suddenly felt a darkness in front of his eyes, and a pair of soft little hands covered his eyes. “Guess who I am?” A playful, clear and pleasant voice sounded. A smile appeared on Lin Xiao’s lips. He could even smell the familiar fragrance of a girl with a hint of sweat and sunshine. He reached out and pulled the person behind him into his arms. “Apart from our heroic little General Nini, who else could be so bold?” Lin Xiao said with a smile. The person in his arms was Nini. She was wearing a neat green outfit that made her look tall and strong. She had just returned from training, with beads of sweat on her forehead, her cheeks rosy, and her big eyes sparkling, full of youthful energy and vigor. The heroic spirit brought by years of martial arts training not only did not detract from her beauty, but instead added a unique charm. “Brother Lin Xiao, you have sharp ears!” Nini adjusted herself to a comfortable position in his arms, her little head resting on his shoulder, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of coquettishness. “How come you have time to come here? Isn’t the female barracks busy?” Lin Xiao pinched the tip of her upturned nose. Nini pouted: “No matter how busy you are, you must come to see Brother Lin Xiao.” She paused, her cheeks reddened, and her voice lowered, with a hint of shyness and anticipation: “Brother Lin Xiao, I…my mother gave birth to a sister for you. I also…I also want to give birth to a child for you.” She raised her head and looked at Lin Xiao with fiery and determined eyes: “Brother Lin Xiao, tonight…can you accompany me, okay?” Lin Xiao looked at the undisguised desire in her bright eyes, and his heart moved slightly. This girl has really grown up. He nodded: “Okay.” Nini’s eyes instantly lit up with surprise. She hugged Lin Xiao’s arms tightly and rubbed her cheek against his chest like a satisfied kitten. The night is quiet. In Lin Xiao’s room, the candlelight flickered. Nini changed out of her military uniform and put on a light pink silk dress, which made her look less heroic and more charming like a young girl. She held a three foot long green sword in her hand and stood gracefully in the center of the room. “Brother Lin Xiao, let me dance a sword dance for you.” Nini’s face had a shy blush, but her eyes were sparkling. “Oh?” Lin Xiao looked at her with interest. Nini took a deep breath, shook her wrist, and the sword made a soft hum. Then, her figure floated, and the sword light was like a thread, sometimes as light as a swallow, and sometimes as agile as a dragon. The sword tip cut through the air, bringing with it a hint of chill, yet blending perfectly with her graceful figure, creating a unique sense of beauty. Her dancing style has the fierceness and fierceness of a soldier, yet the softness and grace of a girl. Under the candlelight, sweat soaked her hair, and her pink skirt fluttered in the wind, outlining her beautiful youthful curves. After the dance, Nini put away her sword and stood up, sweat dripping down her forehead, her chest heaving slightly, her cheeks flushed with excitement and shyness, but her eyes looked at Lin Xiao with a hint of expectation. “Good! Good dance!” Lin Xiao applauded, stood up and walked to her, picked up the handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead. Nini felt a little embarrassed by his gaze, lowered her head, and whispered, “As long as Brother Lin Xiao likes it.” Lin Xiao held her sword holding hand, gently placed the sword aside, then took her into his arms and whispered in her ear, “You dance with a sword well, and you are even more beautiful.” Nini’s body trembled, and she felt a warm current surge from the bottom of her heart, instantly spreading throughout her limbs. She raised her head, met Lin Xiao’s smiling and affectionate gaze, and took the initiative to tiptoe and kiss him on the lips. The candlelight in the room seemed to flicker shyly. After a long time, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped. Nini curled up in Lin Xiao’s arms, her face flushed with satisfaction, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his chest. At this moment, the system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. “Ding! Nini’s favorability is 17+5, and the current favorability is 22.” “Ding! The host can currently draw 1 prizes.” It’s time to draw the lottery again! Lin Xiao was delighted. Chapter 345 The Power to Change the Times Lin Xiao’s heart moved, and he chose to draw the lottery without hesitation. “Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring the complete set of knowledge from basic to modern electricity (including power generation, transmission, distribution, and the principles and manufacturing processes of various motors and electrical appliances)!” The system’s prompt sounded like heavenly music, hitting Lin Xiao’s heart hard. electricity! Lin Xiao’s breathing suddenly stagnated, and then an indescribable ecstasy swept through his body, causing him to tremble slightly. This is a supreme power that is enough to shake up the entire era and completely change the face of the world! From the most basic electromagnetic induction, to the manufacture of generators, to the transmission and application of electricity… countless pieces of knowledge flooded into his mind like a tide, clear and profound. With electricity, darkness will no longer be an obstacle. The long night can be illuminated by light. Countless factories can operate all night long, and production efficiency will increase exponentially! With electricity, bulky machinery driven by steam engines will be replaced by more efficient and cleaner electric motors, and the pace of the industrial revolution will be bigger and faster! With electricity, future communications, information transmission, and even more advanced technologies will have the most solid foundation! If the steam engine opened the door to the First Industrial Revolution, then electricity is the core and soul of the Second Industrial Revolution! It will completely change the mode of production, subvert the structure of society, and reshape the world! Textile machines, muskets and cannons are nothing but small things in front of the mighty power of electricity! With electricity, his Qinglin County, no, the entire world, will usher in an earth shaking change! the next day. Nini’s long eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes. She felt as if her whole body was falling apart, sore and weak, and she didn’t even have the strength to lift a finger. She moved slightly and felt a warm touch beside her. When he turned around, he met Lin Xiao’s smiling eyes. “Awake?” Lin Xiao’s voice was a little hoarse, and his big hands wandered restlessly on her smooth back. Nini’s cheeks turned red in an instant. She felt that Brother Lin Xiao was like a tireless beast, and even she, a female soldier who had practiced martial arts for many years and had physical strength far beyond that of ordinary people, could not withstand him. “Brother Lin Xiao…” Her voice was as thin as a mosquito, with a strong nasal tone. Lin Xiao lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead: “One more time?” “No…no more!” Nini was startled and no longer cared about being shy. She suddenly broke free from his arms like a frightened little rabbit, hurriedly wrapped herself in the quilt, and shook her head repeatedly, “Brother Lin Xiao, I…I really can’t take it anymore, please forgive me.” Her pitiful and somewhat panicked look made Lin Xiao laugh out loud. “Okay, okay, I won’t tease you anymore.” Lin Xiao stood up with a smile, watching Nini climb down from the bed almost using her hands and feet, and run out of the room without looking back. Her back looked quite embarrassed, as if she had fled in a panic. Lin Xiao shook his head, in a good mood. As soon as he was dressed, there was a gentle knock on the door. “Master, are you up?” It was Yan Jing’s voice, with her usual gentleness. “Come in.” The door opened and Yan Jing and Yan Susu walked in carrying toiletries. The two sisters were both wearing simple and elegant dresses today, with their hair combed meticulously, making them look even more beautiful and lovely. When they saw Lin Xiao, the two sisters’ cheeks flushed slightly and their eyes were a little evasive, obviously knowing what happened in the room last night. “Master, the water is ready.” Yan Jing whispered, placing the copper basin on the shelf. Yan Susu obediently picked up the towel, wet it, wrung it dry, and handed it to Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao took the towel and wiped his face. Looking at the pair of pretty sisters in front of him, his heart couldn’t help but be moved. “Did you sleep well last night?” Lin Xiao asked casually, but with a playful look in his eyes. Yan Jing’s face turned even redder, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him: “Well, I slept… well.” Yan Susu pursed her lips and whispered, “Master, Sister Nini…why is she running away so quickly?” Lin Xiao laughed: “She did something wrong and is afraid that I will come after her.” He reached out his hand and gently lifted Yan Jing’s chin, asking her to look at him: “What about you? Have you done anything wrong?” Yan Jing was flustered by his gaze and avoided his gaze: “Master…we…” Lin Xiao’s fingers slid down her cheek, gently pinched her soft earlobe, and his warm breath sprayed on her neck. Yan Jing felt her whole body go limp and she almost couldn’t stand. Seeing this, Yan Susu, who was standing next to her, also blushed and her heart was pounding. After washing up, Lin Xiao felt refreshed. In my mind, the system prompt sounded again. “Ding! Yan Jing’s favorability is 29+3, and the current favorability is 32.” “Ding! Yan Susu’s favorability is 34+3, and the current favorability is 37.” “Ding! The host can currently draw 1 prizes.” It’s time to draw again! Lin Xiao was delighted, as this favorability came at the right time. “System, draw a lottery!” “Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining electric lighting technology (from primitive light bulbs to all modern light bulb technologies)!” Electric light! Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up instantly. If electricity is the skeleton that changes the times, then electric lights are the first ray of light that illuminates this new era! From Edison’s first carbon filament bulb, to the later tungsten filament bulb, to various gas discharge lamps and LED lamps… a series of processes, materials, and principles for manufacturing electric lamps flashed through his mind like a movie. He could almost imagine what a sensation it would cause when the first electric light turned on in Qinglin County! It would be a miraculous light that dispelled thousands of years of darkness! With electric lights, the streets at night will no longer be pitch black, and people’s nightlife will become more colorful; Factories can operate 24 hours a day, greatly improving production efficiency; more importantly, light itself represents hope and progress. Lin Xiao took a deep breath and suppressed the excitement in his heart. First it was electricity, then electric lights. The system wants to get everything done in one step and directly start the rhythm of the electrical age! He can’t wait to turn this knowledge into reality. Qinglin County, and even the entire world, will undergo earth shaking changes due to the emergence of these technologies! Chapter 346 Electricity After breakfast, Lin Xiao went directly to the glass factory. Zhang Fuan happened to be at the glass factory today. Seeing Lin Xiao coming over, a smile spread across his dark face. “Brother Xiao, why did you come here in person? What do you want?” “Fuan, I have a new job today.” Lin Xiao said without further ado, taking out a blueprint from his arms, “Ask the best craftsman to come over and blow a batch of glass covers for me according to this.” Zhang Fuan took the blueprint and looked closely. It showed a pear shaped hollow glass vessel, rounded at one end and tapering at the other, with some strange, thread like structure at the end. He pondered for a long time but still couldn’t figure out what it was. “Brother Xiao, what…what is this used for?” Zhang Fuan scratched his head innocently. The shape doesn’t look like a cup or a bowl, nor does it look like the exquisite glassware they made before. “Don’t ask so many questions first. Just do it. The precision must be high and the glass must be thin and uniform, especially the bottom.” Lin Xiao emphasized, pointing to the narrowed part on the drawing. “Okay! Don’t worry, Brother Xiao!” Although Zhang Fuan didn’t understand, he always carried out Lin Xiao’s orders unconditionally. He immediately called over several of the most skilled craftsmen in the factory. Lin Xiao watched from the side and gave instructions from time to time. The glass shell of this bulb may seem simple, but it has extremely high requirements for airtightness and uniformity, especially the connection between the neck and the metal of the lamp holder, which is even more critical. Although the old masters were experienced, they were still very cautious when they first encountered this strange shape. They wasted several batches of materials before they gradually mastered the trick. Looking at the crystal clear and standard pear shaped glass covers being blown out and slowly cooling and taking shape in special molds, Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. Now that we have the glass cover, the next step is the core filament and internal structure. Lin Xiao asked Zhang Fuan to clear out a separate workshop, and found some copper sheets, thin copper wires and some special materials he had prepared in advance. After closing the door, Lin Xiao started to work. He first carefully stretched and coiled a thin copper wire into a specific spiral shape. There was no tungsten filament in this era, so he could only use some relatively easy to obtain materials in the system knowledge as a substitute to make a carbonized filament that could emit light and heat. Next, he fixed the prepared filament on the copper pin, and carefully passed the pin through the small hole reserved at the bottom of the glass cover. Finally, he sealed the bottom of the glass cover with a special sealing material and extracted the air inside to form a simple vacuum. Throughout the entire process, Lin Xiao was meticulous and focused. His hands were steady and his movements were precise, as if he had done this a thousand times. Half an hour later, Lin Xiao came out with a few strangely shaped glass “pears” with black filaments inside. “Brother Xiao, this… is this what you want?” Zhang Fuan looked at these unremarkable things and had no idea of their value. “Yes, experimental products.” Lin Xiao carefully wrapped the light bulbs and said, “Have someone send these to my house. Be careful not to damage them.” After finishing his instructions, Lin Xiao returned to the county magistrate’s mansion. As soon as he returned to the mansion, Lin Xiao immediately ordered, “Go, call Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and others to the meeting room. I have an important announcement.” Soon, Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other core members arrived at the conference hall one after another. Seeing Lin Xiao’s serious expression, everyone was a little curious, wondering what surprising move Lin Xiao would make next. When Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi and other female relatives heard the noise, they could not contain their curiosity and came over one after another. They knew that every time Lin Xiao gathered so many people, something big must have happened, or some new thing was about to be released. Lin Xiao did not sit in the main seat, but stood beside a large empty table in the center of the conference room. On the table were some things he had prepared in advance: a few magnets, a roll of shiny copper wire, and some wooden racks and iron sheets. “Everyone is here.” Lin Xiao glanced at the crowd and smiled slightly, “I called everyone here today because I want you to witness a miracle.” A miracle? Everyone looked at each other, their hearts filled with curiosity. Lin Xiao said nothing more. He picked up the copper wire on the table and began to wind it around a cylindrical wooden shaft. One circle, two circles… Soon, a dense coil was completed. He then fixed the coil on a simple wooden frame and used brackets to fix several strong magnets next to it, adjusting the distance and angle between the magnets and the coil. Finally, he extended copper wires from both ends of the coil and connected them to a small hand crank device. Li Dequan, Song Qinghe and others were completely confused by the whole process. These copper wires and magnets are commonplace. What is Lord Lin Xiao doing? Are they parts for some new weapon? It doesn’t look like it. The women were even more confused, and they only felt that Lin Xiao’s concentration in fiddling with these things was quite charming. “Sir, what are you doing…” Song Qinghe finally couldn’t help but ask, with a hint of uncertainty in his tone. Lin Xiao smiled mysteriously: “You will know in a moment.” He gestured to the servants, “Close all the doors and windows. It will be darker in the room.” The servant did as he was told, and the light in the conference room quickly dimmed, leaving only a few oil lamps flickering with dim light. The atmosphere became somewhat solemn and expectant. Lin Xiao took out a pear shaped glass bulb that he had made in the glass factory from his arms, and carefully connected the two pins on it to the output end of the simple device he had just assembled. “Everyone, open your eyes, the time to witness a miracle has come!” Lin Xiao’s voice rang out in the slightly dim conference room, with a hint of barely perceptible excitement. He took a deep breath, held the wooden frame with one hand, grasped the hand crank with the other, and began to turn it slowly. Crunch, crunch… The crank drives the coil to rotate between the magnets. At first, there was nothing unusual. Everyone held their breath, staring at the small glass bubble and Lin Xiao’s movements without blinking. Lin Xiao gradually increased the speed of turning the crank. Sudden! Just when everyone was about to lose their patience, the black thread as thin as a hair inside the pear shaped glass bubble that was connected to the line suddenly flashed and emitted a faint red light! “Huh?” Someone exclaimed softly. Lin Xiao raised the corner of his mouth slightly and continued to shake the handle faster. The red light became brighter and brighter, from dark red, to orange red, and then to a warm, bright yellow light! “It’s lit! It’s lit! That thing is glowing!” Zhang Fuan was the first to scream out, his eyes wide as bells, his face full of disbelief. “Oh my God! What kind of magical trick is this?!” Li Dequan’s body swayed and he almost fell down. He rubbed his eyes, thinking that he was seeing things because of his old eyesight. That glass bulb, without lamp oil or flame, actually emitted light on its own! Song Qinghe was also stunned. He had read some miscellaneous notes and knew that there were things like fluorite and night shining pearls that could glow in the dark, but those lights were faint and cold, completely different from the bright and warm light before him! This light was actually produced by human power! Military generals like Sun Mingde and Wang Jian opened their mouths so wide that it seemed as if an egg could be stuffed in. They had witnessed all kinds of magical powers of Lin Xiao, but the scene before them was still beyond their cognition. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Pei Xueyi and other female relatives all let out a suppressed cry of surprise. They covered their mouths, their beautiful eyes filled with shock and obsession. The light emitted from that small glass bubble is so pure and so bright. The conference room fell into a strange silence at this moment, with only the slight creaking sound of Lin Xiao shaking the handle and the heavy breathing of everyone. The soft and bright light emanated from the small light bulb, clearly illuminating Lin Xiao’s smiling face, and also illuminating the shocked expressions on the faces of everyone around him, as if they had seen a ghost. Chapter 347 God’s Power Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Lin Xiao. There was shock and confusion in their eyes, but more of it was a kind of reverence that was almost worshipful. Being able to control the “power” of thunder and lightning, and to create light like the sun out of thin air, in their hearts, Lin Xiao is no different from a god. Lin Xiao slowly stopped shaking the handle, and the light of the bulb dimmed and finally went out completely. He looked at the expressions on everyone’s faces and smiled slightly, breaking the admiring silence. “Uncle Dequan, Qinghe, everyone, this is not a miracle, but a power that we have not yet fully understood. I call it ‘electricity’.” He picked up the magnet and copper coil on the table and said, “To put it simply, by moving the magnet and copper coil in a specific way, we can generate this ‘electricity’. This ‘electricity’ can be converted into light and heat through the specially made filaments in the glass bulb.” Everyone was confused by what they heard. The idea that the movement of magnets and copper coils could produce light was too mysterious, but they believed Lin Xiao’s words without a doubt. Lin Xiao continued, “The significance of this electric light goes far beyond illumination. Imagine, if we could create even more powerful ‘electricity’, we could make the entire Qinglin County, and even the entire world, as bright as day at night. Factory machines could be powered by electricity, making them a hundred times more efficient than human and animal power, even surpassing steam power. Going even further, perhaps we could even use it to transmit messages across thousands of miles in an instant…” The scene he described was like a magnificent painting, slowly unfolding before everyone. The night is no longer dark, the city is brightly lit, like a street market in heaven. Factories are roaring, production is surging, and supplies are plentiful. Message transmission no longer relies on post horses, but on invisible electric current. Song Qinghe and others felt a surge of blood rushing from their feet to their heads, their hearts pounding, and they were so excited that they could hardly control themselves. They seemed to have seen a brand new era, which was waving to them under the leadership of Lin Xiao. “Your Excellency is far sighted. We…we can’t even imagine it!” Song Qinghe’s voice was trembling. He tried hard to digest every word Lin Xiao said. Every word was like a stone thrown into the lake, stirring up huge waves in his heart. “I will compile the basic principles and applications of this ‘electricity’ into a book and give it to the students in the academy. I hope they can master it as soon as possible.” Lin Xiao looked at everyone, “This will take time and will require more talent. Right now, the most critical thing is the steam engine.” He turned to Zhang Fuan and said, “Fuan, how are the improvements on the steam engine going?” Upon hearing this, Zhang Fuan immediately recovered from the shock of the electric light and a confident smile appeared on his face. “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! We have already explored new processes for several key components and materials, and we expect to have a major breakthrough soon! When that happens, the practicality of the steam engine will be greatly improved!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction: “Very good. The steam engine is the basis for generating large scale electricity. The establishment of a power plant is inseparable from a more powerful and stable steam engine.” It suddenly dawned on everyone that this magical “electricity” was so closely related to the equally magical steam engine. With full of excitement and infinite longing for the future, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others said goodbye and left one after another. Their steps were a little dizzy, and Lin Xiao’s words and the magical light kept echoing in their minds. In the conference room, only Lin Xiao, a few female relatives, and a few curious little heads were left. The two little guys, Lin Rui and Lin Xin, had already broken free from their mother’s arms and ran to the table, looking at the hand cranked device and the extinguished light bulb curiously. “Daddy, can this still light up?” Lin Xin tilted her little face up, her big eyes blinking. Lin Xiao smiled and touched her head: “Of course, just shake this and it will glow again.” He picked up the hand crank and gave it a gentle crank, and the light bulb really came on again, causing the children to cheer. Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong looked at this scene with gentle smiles on their faces. Their eyes looking at Lin Xiao were filled with unbreakable tenderness and admiration. Their husband always brings so many surprises and hopes to them and the world. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi stood aside and watched quietly. The shock in their hearts was no less than that of Song Qinghe and the others. Liu Ruyan thought of the prosperity of the capital, but that prosperity seemed to pale in comparison to the electric age described by Lin Xiao. Pei Xueyi admired Lin Xiao’s vast knowledge even more, as if nothing in the world could stump him. In the next few days, Lin Xiao locked himself in the study and began to organize the basic knowledge and theories about electricity. He wrote in great detail, starting from the most basic concepts of charge, current, voltage, and resistance, and then moving on to electromagnetic induction, power generation principles, and possible future application areas. In this era, this knowledge is like a heavenly book. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi quietly accompanied him, grinding ink for him and organizing the manuscript. The sun was shining brightly outside the window, shining through the window lattice onto the desk. Lin Xiao was writing furiously with a focused expression. Two stunning beauties, one on the left and one on the right, add fragrance with their white hands. That day, Lin Xiao finished writing a scroll, put down his pen, and gently stretched his body. Pei Xueyi handed him a cup of warm and fragrant tea at the right time. “Thank you for your hard work, sir.” Pei Xueyi said softly, her voice gentle and pleasant. Lin Xiao took the teacup, his eyes inadvertently sweeping over her snow white neck exposed because she lowered her head, and his heart moved slightly. He held her hand holding the tea. Pei Xueyi’s delicate body trembled and she wanted to pull it back, but he gently pulled her and she fell into his arms. “Sir…” Pei Xueyi was embarrassed and shocked, and her cheeks turned red instantly. Lin Xiao lowered his head and whispered a few words in her ear, which made the beauty blush even more and she hit him lightly. Liu Ruyan watched from the side, her face also getting a little hot. She picked up the dessert tray beside her and said softly, “Sir, please have some snacks.” Lin Xiao took it with a smile, and then pulled Liu Ruyan over, letting her sit on his lap. The study was instantly filled with a warm and ambiguous atmosphere. The system prompt sounded quietly in Lin Xiao’s mind: “Pei Xueyi’s Favorability: 34+3.” “Liu Ruyan’s Favorability: 47+2.” Chapter 348: Ushering in a New Era The beautiful spring scene in the study faded away, and Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan, with blushing cheeks, helped Lin Xiao tidy up his slightly messy clothes and manuscripts. Lin Xiao felt refreshed, and felt that the energy he had previously spent on organizing the knowledge about electricity had been greatly replenished. In the following days, Lin Xiao spent most of his time in the children’s playground in the backyard. In the sunshine, the children’s laughter was clear and melodious, and the women sat aside, chatting and watching this heartwarming scene, with satisfied smiles on their faces. That afternoon, Lin Xiao was building sand castles with the children. They were having a lot of fun, with their hands and bodies covered in sand. “Daddy, look, my castle is the biggest!” Lin Rui pointed proudly at the crooked pile of sand in front of him. “Well, Rui’er’s castle is the biggest!” Lin Xiao praised with a smile, and casually inserted a small branch into the sand castle as a flagpole. Just then, Zhang Fuan came in hurriedly from outside, with an expression of irrepressible excitement on his face, and his dark face was glowing red. “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao!” The voice came before the person arrived. Lin Xiao patted the sand on his hands and stood up: “Fuan, what are you so happy about?” Zhang Fuan ran to Lin Xiao in a few steps. Because he ran so fast, sweat appeared on his forehead. He took a breath and said excitedly, “Brother Xiao! It’s done! The steam engine… the steam engine has made a major breakthrough! It’s already… it’s already achieved the practicality you mentioned before! You should go and take a look!” When Lin Xiao heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up and the joy in his heart almost overflowed. “Okay! Let’s go right away!” Lin Xiao immediately made the decision. Without even bothering to change his clothes, he said to Yan Ruoxi and the others, “You guys play with the kids first. I’ll be back soon.” The steam engine factory was already crowded with people. A group of trainees in uniform work clothes and outstanding students selected from the school gathered in the center of the newly built huge factory building. They were excited, their eyes fixed on the steel behemoth that was larger and more complex than any steam engine before. Lu Jin was also in the crowd. He clenched his fists tightly and his heart was beating uncontrollably. As one of the first students to follow Lin Xiao to study the new science of physics and mathematics, and to be deeply involved in the improvement of the steam engine, he knew the significance of this machine better than anyone else. Every tiny improvement, every new attempt after failure, represents the hard work of countless people. And now, this steel behemoth is finally about to reveal its true power. “Marquis Lin is coming!” someone shouted. The crowd immediately quieted down, and everyone’s eyes turned to the factory entrance. When Lin Xiao appeared at the door, the entire factory erupted in thunderous cheers. “Mr. County Magistrate!” “Master Lin!” Lu Jin also looked at Lin Xiao excitedly. In his heart, Lin Xiao was not only the mayor of Qinglin County, but also the mentor who led them into a new era and the father of science! Lin Xiao smiled and waved to everyone. His eyes swept over the brand new steam engine, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. He walked to the machine, and Zhang Fuan and several core craftsmen hurried over to him. “Brother Xiao, look!” Zhang Fuan pointed at the steam engine, his tone full of pride. “Lu Jin, come and introduce yourself to everyone.” Zhang Fuan looked at Lu Jin. Lu Jin took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, stepped forward, and said loudly: “Your Excellency, the County Magistrate, and all colleagues! This ‘Qinglin Type 1’ steam engine in front of us was improved based on the drawings and principles provided by the County Magistrate, combined with multiple tests. Its cylinder volume has been tripled compared to the previous one, and it uses a new alloy material, which greatly improves its high pressure and high temperature resistance . The boiler has also been redesigned for higher combustion efficiency, and the steam pressure generated can be maintained stably at…” Lu Jin introduced various parameters in detail, such as “piston stroke”, “output torque”, and “continuous working time”. These new terms flowed out of his mouth with a convincing power. He grew increasingly excited as he spoke, his eyes gleaming. “According to the county magistrate’s theory, the power generated by this steam engine is enough to drive a 10,000 jin iron cart along its tracks, or even run dozens of textile looms simultaneously! If used in a mine, it could easily lift 1,000 jin of ore!” After these words were spoken, the students and craftsmen around were all excited. What a spectacular sight it would be to see a thousand jin iron cart galloping and dozens of textile machines working at the same time! Lin Xiao listened to Lu Jin’s introduction, nodded continuously, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. The performance of this steam engine has indeed met his expectations and is sufficient to serve as the core power of early industrialization. After Lu Jin finished his introduction, Lin Xiao stepped forward, looked around at everyone, and spoke in a clear and powerful voice: “Well done, everyone! Excellent!” He first gave the most direct affirmation and praise, which made all participants feel proud. Then, he changed the subject, his voice becoming deeper: “The machine before you is more than just a pile of steel. It is a force, a force that can change the times!” “You might ask, why do we toil day and night, researching these cold lumps of iron?” Lin Xiao’s gaze swept across the young, energetic faces. “I’ll tell you, it’s so that our warehouses can be filled with grain, our cloth can warm the world, our roads can extend in all directions, and our nights can be as bright as day!” “The sciences of physics, mathematics, and chemistry you’ve learned are the keys to unlocking people’s wisdom and promoting social progress! They are science! They are the truth that explores the laws governing the operation of the universe!” “The steam engine is just the beginning. In the future, we will have electricity, and many more new things that you cannot imagine now. And all of this will be created by you, by you who have mastered scientific knowledge!” Lin Xiao’s voice was inexplicably infectious, and every word he spoke struck everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer. “Your efforts are not just for Qinglin County, but for all the people of this world! Every screw you unscrew here today, every blueprint you draw, and every experiment you conduct, could change the fate of countless people in the future and bring unprecedented vitality to this land!” “Remember, you are the pioneers of a new era and the creators of history! The tools in your hands are the weapons that will change the world! I hope that in the future, when people speak of this magnificent era, they will always remember your names!” After he finished speaking, the entire factory fell into complete silence, and you could hear a pin drop. Immediately, applause and cheers broke out that were louder than ever before! “I am willing to die for you, sir!” “Opening a new era!” Lu Jin felt a surge of hot blood rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and the blood in his body began to boil. The blueprint drawn by Lord Lin Xiao, the power of science, and the sense of mission to change the world made him so excited that he could hardly control himself. He looked at Lin Xiao’s back, his eyes filled with fanatical admiration and firm belief. He secretly vowed to follow Lord Lin Xiao and spread the light of science throughout the world! Chapter 349 Engine Lin Xiao came out of the steam engine factory, the cheers of the trainees and craftsmen behind him were still ringing in his ears. After returning to the County Magistrate’s Mansion, Lin Xiao immediately gave orders: “Notify Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, and all core members to come to the meeting hall in half an hour.” Half an hour later, the core members of Qinglin County gathered in the conference hall. Lin Xiao glanced at everyone and said straight to the point: “Everyone, today in the factory, the ‘Qinglin Type 1’ steam engine has been successfully put into operation and has reached the practical stage!” Zhang Fuan’s face still showed excitement, and he nodded vigorously. “This is not just the success of a single machine,” Lin Xiao said in a steady and powerful voice. “It means we have the power to change the world. It will be the arm of the mines, the plowing ox in the fields, the heart of the factory, and the engine that will drive everything in the future!” He walked to the sand table and picked up the wooden pole. “Fuan, you must immediately organize manpower and set up a special steam engine manufacturing plant. Design and manufacture different models of steam engines according to different needs. First, we must apply steam engines to mining, especially coal mining! Coal is the blood of our future industry, and there must be an adequate supply!” Zhang Fuan responded loudly: “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao! I guarantee to complete the task!” Lin Xiao nodded, and the wooden pole pointed to an area. “Secondly, we need to use steam engines to build locomotives and lay tracks for transporting coal and other bulk materials. This will greatly improve our transportation efficiency.” “Locomotive?” Everyone was a little confused about this new term. Lin Xiao explained briefly: “It’s a steam locomotive that can pull many carriages on the track.” Everyone seemed to understand, but they all knew that this must be a good thing that could greatly improve efficiency. Lin Xiao’s gaze became more profound: “More importantly, the steam engine provides us with a stable source of power, which means that we can build a real power plant!” “Power plant?” Song Qinghe and others remembered the “miracle” that Lin Xiao displayed a few days ago, and were even more shocked. “That’s right.” Lin Xiao said firmly, “Using a steam engine to drive a generator to generate electricity is thermal power. At the same time, we must also begin to study the use of hydropower and build hydropower plants. With electricity, we can make electric lights, making the night as bright as day, and we can drive more machines and do more things!” He looked at Zhang Fuan and said, “Over at the glass factory, you must develop a qualified light bulb cover as soon as possible. I will personally guide you in setting up the light bulb factory.” “yes!” Lin Xiao took a deep breath and spoke with a hint of heroism: “Steam engine plant, power plant, light bulb factory, once these factories are completed and put into production, I will personally go to cut the ribbon! Everyone, a new era is about to begin in our hands!” Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others were so excited when they heard this that they seemed to have seen a brand new world with roaring machines and bright lights. They all stood up and bowed, “We will do our utmost to assist you and create a prosperous era!” After the meeting, everyone left with excitement and went about their business. In the following days, Lin Xiao had a lot more free time. All affairs were progressing in an orderly manner, and he was happy to devote more time to family life. In the children’s playground in the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion, children’s laughter could be heard one after another. The sun was shining brightly, and Lin Rui was riding on the black panther’s shiny back, commanding it to “charge into battle”, his little face flushed with excitement. Lin Xin hugged Maoqiu’s soft neck, giggling and asking Maoqiu to take her “fly high”, although Maoqiu only flapped its wings a few times symbolically and fluttered in place. Zhang Chengyu was already able to walk unsteadily and was curiously poking a rabbit that was napping on the ground. Lin Youning read the storybook with great interest in the company of Mrs. Lin. Lin Nian was babbling in the cradle, waving her pink little hands with great energy. With the nourishment of Xiaohuandan, the children all appear to be smarter and stronger than children of the same age, and there is a sense of spirituality between their eyebrows and eyes. Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan accompanied Lin Xiao, either grinding ink or organizing some scattered manuscripts about popular science written by Lin Xiao. Occasionally, they looked up at Lin Xiao with tenderness and admiration in their eyes. Sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu carefully massaged Lin Xiao’s legs and shoulders, served him tea and water, and took care of him in every possible way. That day, Nini returned from training, her cheeks flushed and beads of sweat on her forehead. She walked straight to Lin Xiao, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, “Brother Lin Xiao, I…” Lin Xiao saw that she looked strange and said gently, “What’s wrong, Nini?” Nini’s cheeks turned even redder, and her voice was as thin as a mosquito: “I… I didn’t have my period this month. My mother said that I might… I might be pregnant .” Lin Xiao’s heart moved. He pulled her wrist and carefully felt her pulse. After a moment, a smile appeared on his face: “Yes, it is indeed a pregnancy pulse. Nini, you are going to be a mother.” “Really?” Nini opened her eyes wide in surprise, tears welling up instantly, and she hugged Lin Xiao’s arms, “That’s great! Brother Lin Xiao, I… I want to have our child too!” Lin Xiao patted her back and said softly, “That’s good. From today on, you shouldn’t go to the women’s barracks. Just stay home and take care of your pregnancy. Your mother and the others are here and will take good care of you.” “Yeah!” Nini nodded vigorously, her face filled with happiness. The system prompt sounded at the right time: “Ding! Nini’s favorability is 22+4, and the current favorability is 26.” Lin Xiao played with the children for a while, then returned to the study to handle official business. Qinglin County is now very large, and there are many things that require his review and decision making every day. Not long after they sat down, Zhang Fuan ran in excitedly from outside. Before he even arrived, his voice had already arrived: “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! Great news!” Lin Xiao put down the brush in his hand and said with a smile: “Fuan, what’s so exciting? You look sweating profusely.” Zhang Fuan ran to Lin Xiao, not even bothering to wipe the sweat off his face. His dark face was flushed with excitement. “Brother Xiao! It’s done! It’s done! The first ‘Kaishan No. 1’ steam engine we designed specifically for coal mines has been built! According to your drawings, we’ve reinforced the boiler and enlarged the piston. The power is so strong that it can move mountains!” He took a breath and continued, “It’s been tested, and there’s absolutely no problem! It’s now been shipped to the No. 1 coal mine! The brothers at the mine are waiting, and we’d like you… please come over and personally cut the ribbon to officially start production!” Lin Xiao’s eyes flashed when he heard this, and he stood up suddenly. “Great! Excellent! This is our first steam engine that has actually been put into production! Come on, Fuan, I want to see the power of this ‘Kaishan No. 1’ myself!” This is not just the activation of a machine, but also the first roar of Qinglin County’s move towards industrialization! Chapter 350: The Power of Mountain Opening In the No. 1 coal mining area, the atmosphere today is completely different from usual. At this moment, an open area in the mine was crowded with miners who had just finished their shift or were preparing to take over. In the center of the crowd, a pitch black steel monster, several times taller than an ordinary carriage, stood quietly. It was the “Kaishan No. 1” steam engine that Zhang Fuan had mentioned. Niu Youtian stood in the crowd with his hands in his pockets, standing on tiptoe and trying to look inside. Next to him stood a thin, dark man, his fellow villager Zhao Laonian. He smacked his lips and said, “Brother Youtian, do you think this piece of iron can really be that powerful?” Niu Youtian chuckled, “Master Zhang, could you possibly deceive us? I heard the blueprints were drawn by the county governor himself, specifically for our coal mine. It’s called something like ‘Mountain opening Type’. Just hearing that name sounds impressive!” Having said that, Niu Youtian was actually a little worried. He has been a miner all his life. When he was young, he dug coal for the landlords. Later, when the world was in chaos, he worked in a government owned mine. What kind of hardships has he not experienced? The work in the coal mine depends entirely on physical strength. You have to dig with a pickaxe and carry out the coal in baskets. This iron thing doesn’t need oxen or horses, and doesn’t need people to push it. It can move by itself just by burning fire. How can it be so famous? “The county magistrate is coming!” There was a sudden commotion outside the crowd. The miners immediately stretched their necks, their faces filled with excitement and reverence. In their hearts, Lin Xiao had long been a god like figure. Not long after, Lin Xiao, accompanied by Zhang Fuan and others, came to the field slowly. “Brother Xiao, look, this is our ‘Kaishan No. 1′!” Zhang Fuan pointed at the steam engine, his dark face full of pride and excitement, his voice trembling a little. Lin Xiao turned over and got off the Black Panther, walked to the steam engine and looked at it carefully. This “Kaishan No. 1” steam engine is indeed much more rugged than the “Qinglin Type 1” previously tested in the factory. The boiler and cylinder are significantly larger, and the connecting rods are also thicker, exuding a sense of brutal power. “Not bad, it looks tough.” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. He knew that the mining environment was harsh and that the durability and power requirements of the machines were extremely high. Zhang Fuan grinned, took a red silk ribbon from the craftsman next to him, and tied it to the most conspicuous valve of the steam engine: “Brother Xiao, you cut the ribbon!” Lin Xiao did not refuse and took the scissors handed to him by the person next to him. With a “click”, the red silk was cut. “Kaishan No. 1, start work!” Lin Xiao said loudly. Several skilled craftsmen who had been waiting nearby immediately got busy, one adding blazing coal to the boiler while another nervously stared at the pressure gauge. “Huff…Huff…” The flames in the boiler licked the water, and soon, a dull wheezing sound came from inside the steam engine. “Steam pressure, up to standard!” a craftsman shouted. “Open the valve!” As the valve was slowly opened, a stream of white steam suddenly gushed out of the pipe, making a deafening roar! “Clang! Clang! Clang!” Driven by steam, the huge piston began to reciprocate clumsily and powerfully, driving the thick crankshaft and huge flywheel to slowly rotate. The flywheel spun faster and faster, and the entire steel behemoth emitted a low and powerful roar. Connected to the steam engine is a newly designed winch and steel cable, and the other end of the steel cable is connected to several extremely heavy mine carts filled with ore. These mine carts are parked at the bottom of a slope. In the past, it took more than a dozen strong men or several oxen to pull them up. “hook up!” “rise!” With the craftsman’s order, the capstan driven by the steam engine began to rotate, and the thick steel cable was rolled up in circles. “Crackle…Crackle…” The mine carts, filled with black ore and weighing at least several thousand pounds, began to move slowly under the pull of the steel cables! At first, they were a little sluggish, but as the steam engines steadily output power, the mine carts’ speed became faster and smoother! “It’s moving! It’s moving! It’s really moving!” “Oh my god! This piece of iron is stronger than a dozen cows!” The onlookers shouted loudly, each of them was stunned, their faces full of disbelief. Niu Youtian’s eyes almost popped out of his head. He rubbed his eyes vigorously to make sure he was not dreaming. Even if the workers broke their backs, they could only pull those mine carts a few times a day. But this iron thing, without food or water, just burning coal, pulled the ore up so easily! This is not a machine, this is simply divine power! Niu Youtian was so excited that he was shaking all over, his eyes were hot and tears were streaming down his face. He thought back to when he was young, he had to carry heavy ore on his back and crawl out of the mine with every step he took, leaving blood marks on his back. At that time, he dreamed of having something that could help them. Unexpectedly, this dream was realized in the hands of Lord Lin Xiao! Lin Xiao watched the steam engine running efficiently and the ore being transported out continuously, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. Zhang Fuan was so excited that he danced with joy. Pointing at the steam engine, he shouted to Lin Xiao, “Brother Xiao! We did it! We really did it ! With this power and efficiency, we won’t have to worry about coal in Qinglin County anymore!” At noon, several large pots were set up on the mine. White rice was steaming, and large pieces of stewed meat were rolling in the pots, and the aroma wafted from far away. Lin Xiao did not return to the county magistrate’s mansion, but sat on the ground with the miners, holding a large coarse porcelain bowl and eating rice and meat with big mouthfuls. The miners were a little reserved at first, but when they saw that Lin Xiao was very humble and was chatting and laughing with them, they soon relaxed. “Mr. County Magistrate, you are truly a living Buddha!” An older miner, holding a wine bowl, his eyes red, “I’ve lived for most of my life, and I never thought that mining could be so labor saving and that I could eat meat every meal!” Niu Youtian also came up to Lin Xiao with a bowl in hand, his words becoming incoherent with excitement. “Sir, I… I’m not very good at speaking, so I can’t say anything nice. I just want to say that if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be suffering anywhere right now! This steam engine is simply a thing made by the gods! With it, we’ll have more energy to work, and we can also provide more coal and manpower to the county!” “Yes! Sir, you are our second parents!” “A bowl for you, sir!” The miners spoke in unison, expressing their gratitude and admiration. Their words were simple but full of the most sincere emotions. They witnessed the power of the steam engine with their own eyes, and also personally experienced the earth shaking changes that Lin Xiao brought to their lives. Lin Xiao listened with a smile, clinking bowls with them from time to time. He knew that the miners’ joy was genuine. Being able to use the knowledge he has mastered to actually improve the lives of these ordinary people and free them from heavy physical labor makes him feel more satisfied than any system reward. Chapter 351 The Problem Between Two Factories After having a good meal and a few drinks, Lin Xiao chatted with the miners for a while before leaving with Zhang Fuan and others. Zhang Fuan’s face was still filled with excitement. “Brother Xiao, once the ‘Kaishan No. 1′ started up, the miners’ eyes almost popped out! With this big guy, our Qinglin County’s coal production will increase several times over without any problem!” Lin Xiao hummed, feeling good. “I’m glad it can be put to use. By the way, how’s the progress at the power plant?” Speaking of this, Zhang Fuan’s smile faded a little, and his brows furrowed slightly. “Brother Xiao, the main building of the steam power plant has been almost completed, and the steam engines have been transported there one after another.” “It’s just… it’s just that the craftsmen are still a little confused about how to stably convert the steam engine’s power into the ‘electricity’ you mentioned . Also, the hydroelectric power plant you mentioned is located in a canyon upstream of the Qinglong River. The terrain is good and the water flow is fast, but the dam construction is a huge undertaking, and the riverbed is complex. The brothers have encountered many difficulties, and progress has been slow.” Lin Xiao nodded. “Yeah, that’s to be expected. Electricity is a brand new thing, after all. We need to learn by trial and error. There’s no rush. As for the dam at the hydropower plant, it can’t be solved by simply piling up rocks. So, I’ll go to both sides in person over the next couple of days to help you sort out your ideas.” Zhang Fuan’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this: “That’s great! With Brother Xiao’s personal guidance, I’m sure any problem can be easily solved!” It was almost dusk when he returned to the County Magistrate’s Mansion. Lin Xiao first went to check on the children. Lin Xin and Lin Rui were crouching over a small table, using Lin Xiao’s specially made charcoal pencils to learn to write their names, their faces filled with concentration. Zhang Chengyu still looked like a little adult, holding a book of mechanical structure diagrams drawn by Lin Xiao and reading it intently. He frowned from time to time, as if he was thinking about something. Such a heartwarming scene instantly washed away Lin Xiao’s fatigue from a day of running around. Because of Xiao Huandan, the children are much stronger and smarter than other children of the same age, and the shadows of their mothers can gradually be seen in their eyes and brows. After simply dealing with some backlog of official business, it was already late at night. Sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu tiptoed in with warm water and clean towels. “Young Master, you’ve been busy all day, you should rest early.” Yan Jing said softly, with concern in her clear eyes. She wrung a hot cloth for Lin Xiao and carefully wiped his cheeks and hands. Yan Susu winked playfully, took out a piece of freshly made osmanthus cake from the food box, and carefully handed it to Lin Xiao’s mouth: “Master, try it, this is a new dessert developed by the kitchen, it’s sweet but not greasy!” Lin Xiao smiled, opened his mouth, took a bite, and the fragrance of osmanthus instantly filled his mouth. “Susu feeds people sweet things…” With the sweet fragrance of a young girl in my arms and my nose lingering with her sweet scent, the atmosphere gradually heated up… The next day, Lin Xiao, accompanied by Zhang Fuan, went to the construction site of the steam power plant. The power plant is located in an open area outside the city, covering a large area. The tall factory building has taken shape, and several huge “Qinglin Type 1” steam engines have been installed in place. The dark steel body glows with a cold and hard light in the morning light. The craftsmen were busy at work, some were laying pipes, some were debugging machines, and some were having heated discussions around several huge drawings. “Brother Xiao, look, this is our steam engine power plant.” Zhang Fuan pointed at the scene in front of him, his tone full of pride . “According to your instructions, the steam engine has been installed, the boiler has been tested, and it is running fine. But it’s this… this generator. The brothers are still a little unsure.” He took Lin Xiao to a half assembled “generator”. This generator was built according to the simple drawings drawn by Lin Xiao. It has a relatively simple structure and is mainly composed of huge coils and magnets. A skilled technician stepped forward with a gloomy face. “Sir, how should we wind the coils and arrange the magnets to most efficiently generate what you call ‘electric current’? We’ve tried several methods, but the results are always less than ideal. Furthermore, how to smoothly transmit the power generated by the steam engine to keep the generator turning is a major challenge. We’ve made several sets of gears, but they’re either too durable or wear out too much.” Lin Xiao carefully examined the structure of the generator and the problems they encountered, and asked about several key data, and he had an idea in his mind. He picked up a piece of charcoal and quickly sketched on a flat piece of wood. “Look, the coil winding method can be improved like this: increase the number of turns and pay attention to insulation. The arrangement of the magnets should form a stronger magnetic field. As for power transmission, gear transmission does have high losses. We can try using a pulley transmission. This is more stable and easier to adjust the speed.” He drew and explained at the same time, explaining some basic principles of modern generators in a way that they could understand. The problem that had troubled the craftsmen for a long time suddenly became clear after Lin Xiao’s brief guidance. “So that’s how it is! You are truly a god!” The old master looked at the blueprint, suddenly realized it, and bowed repeatedly in excitement. After solving the core problem of the steam power plant, Lin Xiao rushed to the hydropower plant construction site upstream of the Qinglong River. The canyon here is deep and the water flows rapidly, hitting the rocks on both sides and making a deafening sound. Workers are working hard to build a huge dam at the narrowest part of the canyon. Zhang Fuan pointed at the dam under construction and looked troubled. “Brother Xiao, look here. There are many undercurrents and soft sand and gravel layers under the riverbed. We’ve been laying the foundation using conventional methods, but it feels unreliable. Furthermore, the current is so strong that diverting it is a big problem. It has already washed away our temporary cofferdams several times.” Lin Xiao stood on a high place, carefully observing the direction of the water flow and the geological conditions on both sides of the river, and asked someone to bring the exploration records for review. After a moment, he said in a deep voice, “The geological conditions here are indeed complex. Ordinary long stone masonry wouldn’t be able to withstand such great water pressure. We can learn from the principles of arch bridges and design the embankment into an arc, using the water pressure itself to increase the embankment’s stability. As for the foundation, we can drive deeper wooden piles into the soft ground and reinforce it with concrete. If we want to divert the river, we can do it in sections. First, build a diversion channel to divert part of the river water, and then gradually close it.” He picked up the charcoal again and drew a sketch of the arc dam on the ground, and explained in detail the key steps and precautions of the construction . Zhang Fuan and several craftsmen in charge of the water conservancy project nodded repeatedly, their eyes full of admiration. They had never heard of these methods, but when they thought about them carefully, they found them extremely ingenious, as if they had suddenly found the golden key to solving the problem. “Brother Xiao, your method… is simply ingenious!” Zhang Fuan praised sincerely, “With your guidance, this hydropower plant will definitely be built!” Lin Xiao smiled slightly, looking at the rushing river in front of him, his heart full of anticipation. The era of electricity is about to slowly begin in this world in his hands. Chapter 352 Illuminating Qinglin County After giving instructions on the key points in the construction of the power plant and hydropower plant, Lin Xiao’s life returned to his usual rhythm. Besides handling official duties, he spent time with his children and women. It was a fine day with a gentle breeze. The sun shone through the thin clouds, casting warm light on the earth. Lin Xiao took sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, as well as a few children who could already run and jump, to the outskirts of the city for an outing. After several years of governance and development, neatly planned fields and newly built ditches can be seen everywhere in the suburbs of Qinglin County. They chose a gentle slope away from farmland with large green meadows. The grass is green and dotted with wild flowers, emitting a faint fragrance. As soon as the two little guys, Lin Xin and Lin Rui, arrived at the place, they were like wild horses that had broken free from their reins, chasing and playing on the grass, sometimes catching butterflies, sometimes picking flowers, and their laughter, as clear and pleasant as silver bells, could be heard from far away. Zhang Chengyu was much quieter. He held the small insect net that Lin Xiao made for him and focused on observing the grasshoppers jumping in the grass. From time to time, he would squat down and fiddle with something with a small branch. Lin Nian was protected by Aunt Wang, and she was learning to walk unsteadily, babbling and pointing at the white clouds in the sky. On the lord’s side, the servants had already spread out a huge felt carpet, which was filled with various snacks, candied fruits and freshly picked fruits. Yan Jing and Yan Susu carefully wiped the sweat off the children who came back tired from playing and gave them water, their eyes full of smiles. Lin Xiao leaned on a cushion with an easel in front of him, mixing paints, intending to record this warm scene. Lin Youning squatted beside him, watching Lin Xiao paint carefully. “Husband, look at Xin’er and Rui’er, how happy they are.” Yan Ruoxi leaned against Lin Xiao and said softly, with a hint of lazy comfort in her voice. “Yes,” Yan Ruotong also said, “The children grow up so fast. In the blink of an eye, they can run and jump. These days are really comfortable.” Lin Xiao put down his paintbrush, put his arms around the two girls’ slender waists, and said with a smile, “With you and the children here, I feel comfortable.” He lowered his head and kissed each of the two girls on the forehead. The sun shines warmly on my body, and the breeze blows by, carrying the fragrance of grass and wild flowers. [System prompt: Yan Ruoxi’s favorability is 72+3.] [System prompt: Yan Ruotong’s favorability is 72+3.] Lin Xiao’s lips curled up slightly, and he felt more relaxed. After playing for most of the day, the sun gradually set and everyone prepared to go home. The children were tired from playing and looked a little listless. Lin Xiao picked up the youngest, Lin Nian. The little girl had just finished her feeding and was smacking her lips in his arms, about to fall asleep. As soon as she was placed in the carriage, Lin Rui ran over, his little face flushed, “Daddy, hold me!” Lin Xiao smiled, bent down, picked up Lin Rui, and carried him on his shoulders. The little guy immediately became excited again and giggled. At this moment, Lin Xiao felt a heat on his neck, and a warm liquid flowed down his collar. His body stiffened, and then he smiled helplessly. “Oh, Rui’er, you are naughty again!” Yan Ruotong scolded angrily and amusedly, and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Lin Xiao. “Daddy…pee…” Lin Rui said in a low voice a little embarrassedly, burying his face in Lin Xiao’s hair. The women nearby couldn’t help but giggle when they saw this. Yan Jing and Yan Susu were even more excited. Lin Xiao sighed and patted Lin Rui’s little butt: “You kid, next time you need to pee, tell me in advance, okay?” “I understand, Daddy.” Lin Rui responded obediently. A small accident added some laughter to the return journey. After returning to the county magistrate’s mansion and changing into clean clothes, Lin Xiao summoned core members including Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, and Zhang Fuan to the conference hall for a meeting. After everyone arrived, Lin Xiao first listened to reports from all sides. Li Dequan spoke first, his voice booming: “Sir, since the issuance of the new currency and the opening of Qinglin Bank, the public response has been extremely positive. The people have a high level of trust in our currency, and deposit and withdrawal volume has steadily increased. Granaries across the country are full, the people live and work in peace, and the county is peaceful and harmonious.” Song Qinghe then added, “Sir, in terms of civil affairs, the governance of the counties is now on track, and schools and medical clinics have been built in various places. Economically, the production capacity of various factories continues to increase, and trade exchanges are becoming increasingly frequent, bringing considerable income to the county treasury. In particular, the cotton cloth produced by the textile factories and the mirrors and utensils produced by the glass factories have been exported to several surrounding states and are in short supply.” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian also reported on military affairs. The Qinglin Army was strong, with effective training for new recruits and strict discipline. The border was stable, and the previously incorporated surrendered soldiers had been gradually assimilated into the Qinglin Army system. Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. These were all within his expectations. However, these were not what he cared about most. He looked at Zhang Fuan and asked, “Fuan, what’s the current situation with the power plant, the wires, and the light bulbs?” Zhang Fuan’s spirits perked up upon hearing this. He stepped forward and said, “Brother Xiao, don’t worry! Ever since you personally went to the construction site last time and pointed out those key problems, the brothers have been making rapid progress, as if they had opened up their Ren and Du meridians!” “The main building of the steam power plant has been completed, and all the steam engines and generator sets have been installed and debugged. Only the final wiring and overall testing remain. Over at the hydropower plant on the Qinglong River, according to your curved dam design, construction is proceeding smoothly, although challenging. The dam should be closed within ten days or half a month!” “As for the light bulbs, the glass factory is working overtime and has already produced enough for our first batch of lighting projects.” “As for the copper wires for the power lines, the smelters have been working overtime and have already completed 70% to 80% of them. The line planning and pole erection work in the main urban areas are also basically complete. We just need your order to connect the entire line!” After hearing Zhang Fuan’s report, everyone in the conference room had a flash of excitement and anticipation in their eyes. “Very good.” Lin Xiao’s voice was filled with a subtle excitement. “Since the preparations are almost complete, let’s make arrangements as soon as possible. I want Qinglin County to become the first city in the world to be illuminated by lightning!” Chapter 353 Miracle Comes Again In the following days, an unprecedented scene appeared in Qinglin County. Teams of craftsmen, under the unified command of the county magistrate’s office, began to get busy in various places in the city. Some of them dug deep pits on the roadside and erected straight wooden poles with strange porcelain knobs on top; Some climbed onto the roof and carefully pulled the thick copper wire that shone with metallic luster along the wall. These copper wires crisscrossed like a huge spider web, gradually covering the main streets and areas of the county town. This large scale construction project naturally caused a lot of discussion and curiosity among the people in the city. “Old Zhang, what do you think the county magistrate is up to?” Wang Tiezhu stood on the street with his hands in his pockets, watching the craftsmen firmly drive a tall wooden pole into the ground, and asked Zhang Daniu next to him with a confused look on his face. Zhang Daniu was equally confused. He stood on tiptoe and looked at it for a long time, but couldn’t figure it out. “Who knows?” “I heard that this is a new gadget invented by the county magistrate, called ‘electricity’!” The owner of a nearby grocery store interrupted, shaking his head. “Electricity?” Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Daniu were both stunned. This word was too unfamiliar to them. The shopkeeper lowered his voice, his voice filled with mystery and pride. “That’s right, it’s electricity! I heard it’s the power extracted from the thunder in the sky! The county magistrate has the ability to see through the heavens and the earth, and can even use lightning to his advantage! From now on, there will be no need to light oil lamps in this city at night. Once these copper wires are connected, they can make something called an ‘electric lamp’ glow, brighter than hundreds of candles!” “What?!” Wang Tiezhu’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “It can light up without fire? Brighter than hundreds of candles? Oh my god, doesn’t that have to be some kind of magical power?” Zhang Daniu also gasped and stammered, “If…if this is true, then the county magistrate is truly a living god descended to earth! He can even control the thunder in the sky…” “That’s right!” the shopkeeper said proudly. “Besides, this ‘electricity’ not only provides light, it can also make machines move on their own. It’s even more convenient than a steam engine!” The news spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and the entire Qinglin County was in an uproar. The people were filled with awe and curiosity about the coming “electricity”. They could not imagine what light without flame would look like, nor could they understand how the thin copper wire could transmit such magical power. Some timid people are even a little scared, fearing that this “electricity” will be like thunder from the sky, and if they accidentally touch it, they will be struck by lightning and burnt on the outside and tender on the inside. When the craftsmen are working, there is always a group of people around them. They want to get closer to see what is new, but they dare not get too close. They just point and whisper from a distance. “Hey, do you think this ‘electricity’ will crawl into our house along the copper wires?” “That shouldn’t be the case. The things that the county magistrate has made must have been arranged properly.” “That’s hard to say. This is like a thunderbolt. If a little bit of it leaks out…” For a time, the county town was filled with various speculations and discussions about “electricity”, with awe mixed with strong expectations. The image of County Magistrate Lin Xiao in the hearts of the people has become increasingly tall and mysterious, almost like a god. They firmly believe that only a god like figure can control such incredible power. This day, the county magistrate’s office. Lin Xiao was in his study, working on official business and planning the power distribution plan for the subsequent industrial zone, when a servant hurried in and bowed, reporting, “Sir, Master Zhang has sent word that the steam power plant has been preliminarily completed and is ready for testing.” Hearing this, Lin Xiao put down the charcoal pencil in his hand and smiled: “Okay, let’s go and take a look.” The steam power plant was built on the outskirts of the city, covering a vast area, and several tall factory buildings had already risen from the ground. “Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan’s dark face immediately lit up with a smile upon seeing Lin Xiao. He hurried over to greet him, his tone unable to conceal his excitement, “You’re finally here! The plant and the units have been completed according to your drawings. The brothers have been watching over them day and night for the past few days, just waiting for your approval!” Lin Xiao nodded and followed Zhang Fuan into the main factory building. In the huge space, the dark steel bodies of several “Qinglin Type 1” steam engines are lined up side by side, with thick pipes connecting the boilers, emitting a unique smell of a mixture of metal and steam. On the other side of the steam engine were several more complex machines, made up of huge coils and magnets. These were the first generation of generators manufactured according to Lin Xiao’s drawings. “Brother Xiao, look, the steam engines have been debugged and are humming along beautifully when they’re running!” Zhang Fuan pointed to a steam engine that was already ignited and ready for use. “The coil winding and magnet arrangement on the generator side have all been modified according to your instructions last time. The brothers tried cranking it manually a few times and can definitely feel the ‘electric’ force!” Lin Xiao carefully checked the connection between the steam engine and the generator, which mainly transmitted power through a huge pulley. He walked to a generator, checked the line connections, and looked at the several simple light bulbs temporarily installed on the ceiling of the factory. “Let’s start when you’re ready.” Lin Xiao ordered. “Alright!” Zhang Fuan cheered up and shouted to the craftsman in charge of the steam engine, “Boost the pressure! Start!” The craftsmen immediately got busy. As the steam pressure in the boiler continued to rise, the massive steam engine began to emit a low roar. The piston pushed the connecting rod, causing the flywheel to rotate slowly, then faster and faster. The wide belt connected to the steam engine flywheel also rotated at high speed, transmitting powerful power to the generator nearby. The huge rotor inside the generator began to rotate rapidly in the magnetic field, making a buzzing sound. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the lonely light bulbs on the factory ceiling. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Suddenly, the tungsten filament in one of the light bulbs flickered violently, and then a soft but extremely bright yellow white light instantly bloomed, illuminating the small space around it! Immediately afterwards, the second, the third… several test bulbs in the factory lit up one after another! “It’s on! It’s on! It’s really on!” Zhang Fuan was so excited that his voice was a little distorted. He pointed at the glowing light bulbs and jumped and danced like a child. The surrounding craftsmen also burst into thunderous cheers. They looked at the light that appeared out of nowhere, their eyes filled with disbelief and ecstasy. This is not just a light on, this is a miracle they created with their own hands. It is a feat of turning legend into reality under the leadership of Lord Lin! Lin Xiao looked at those stable light sources and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. “Well done.” Lin Xiao patted Zhang Fuan on the shoulder. Zhang Fuan’s face flushed with excitement. “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Brother Xiao! Without you, the brothers wouldn’t have figured out this idea even if they racked their brains!” Lin Xiao smiled and asked, “How is the city’s power grid being laid?” Zhang Fuan immediately replied, “Brother Xiao, the main line has been basically completed, and the branch lines and household lines are also being laid at an accelerated pace. According to the current progress, in seven days at most, the entire county power grid will be fully connected and can supply electricity at any time!” “Okay.” Lin Xiao nodded, his eyes flashing with longing for the future. “In seven days, I will make the entire Qinglin County bright.” Chapter 354: Heaven and Earth Lin Xiao came back from the steam power plant and just as he stepped into the mansion, he heard a familiar noise. Sure enough, Lin Dashan’s family of three were surrounding Mrs. Lin, asking about her well being, with almost flattering smiles on their faces. Li Cuilian was even more sharp eyed. When she saw Lin Xiao, she immediately poked Lin Dashan’s arm. Lin Dashan shuddered, and his chubby body turned around swiftly, his face instantly smiling like a chrysanthemum: “Oh, brother in law! Brother in law is back! We’ve been waiting for you!” He took a few steps forward, his posture like a house dog meeting its master. “Brother in law must have been busy with the territory these days. He looks a bit thinner. Sister, hurry up, serve him some tea!” Li Cuilian and Wang Hongmei also quickly followed, flattering her: “Yes, yes, my lord, you have worked so hard for the country and the people.” “Your Excellency’s expression shows that he is very confident. He must have good news!” Lin Xiao was already immune to their tricks and smiled faintly: “Brother, sister in law, mother in law, why are you here?” “I’m thinking about my sister, so I came to see her.” Lin Dashan laughed, but his eyes kept glancing at Lin Xiao, “By the way, I want to get some of my brother in law’s aura, right?” Mrs. Lin held Youning in her arms and looked at Lin Xiao helplessly. Lin Xiao waved his hand: “That’s great, stay and have dinner together.” When Lin Dashan heard this, his eyes lit up and he said repeatedly, “Oh, good, good! Sorry to bother my brother in law, sorry to bother my brother in law!” At the dinner table, Lin Dashan’s face was beaming, and he would brag from time to time about his “great achievements” at the refugee resettlement center, and how people outside respected Lin Xiao, which also brought him, the “brother in law”, fame. Lin Xiao didn’t point it out, just listened. When he had almost finished speaking, he put down his chopsticks and casually said, “I went to the outskirts of the city today and saw that the power plant had successfully completed its trial run.” “Power plant?” Lin Dashan was stunned. “It’s about using a steam engine to drive machinery and generate electricity,” Lin Xiao explained. “In the future, we won’t need oil lamps or candles for lighting in the city anymore.” Li Cuilian asked curiously, “Sir, is that ‘electricity’ really bright? Brighter than an oil lamp?” “It’s more than just bright,” Lin Xiao smiled and dropped a bombshell, “About seven days from now, the entire Qinglin County will be as bright as day at night.” “boom!” These words were like a thunderclap, striking the heads of Lin Dashan and his family of three. Lin Dashan’s hand, holding the wine glass, trembled, and most of the wine spilled, but he was completely unaware. His eyes were wide open, and his mouth was open enough to fit an egg. “The whole… the whole county town? It’s as bright as day? No… no need to light a lamp?” His voice was trembling, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Lin Xiao was full of disbelief. “How…how is this possible?” Wang Hongmei muttered in shock. “How many candles would that take? Could it be that you, sir…you really can summon the wind and rain, and even create light out of thin air?” Li Cuilian was even more direct, stammering, “Sir, could this be… a divine method?” Lin Xiao looked at their shocked expressions and felt a little amused, but also understood. “About that.” Lin Xiao replied vaguely. Lin Dashan suddenly recovered from his shock, a look of fanatical admiration instantly flooding his face. He put down his wine glass with a “pa” and stood up excitedly, his voice trembling: “Brother in law! You… you are truly an all knowing person! Oh my God, how could I, Lin Dashan, be so worthy to have a brother in law like you!” He was so excited that his face flushed and his neck thickened, as if the light that illuminated the whole city was lit by him personally. Li Cuilian and Wang Hongmei also echoed, their words full of amazement and awe. Lin Xiao shook his head helplessly and asked them to sit down and eat. Seven days passed in a flash. During these seven days, the entire Qinglin County City was immersed in an atmosphere of both anticipation and anxiety. The news that the county magistrate was going to use “divine means” to attract “heavenly thunder” to illuminate the entire city had already spread to every corner. The moonlight was like water, in the highest corner tower on the county town’s wall. Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, leaning on the railing and looking into the distance. Beside him, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan and other core members stood solemnly, each with an excitement and anticipation that was difficult to conceal on their face. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan and other female relatives were also accompanying him, with a strange light flashing in their beautiful eyes, staring closely at Lin Xiao’s back. Under the corner tower. Wooden electric poles stand on both sides of the street, and countless copper wires with a metallic luster are connected to them. What is even more eye catching is that glass light bulbs are hung under many eaves and in front of many shops. At this moment, countless people spontaneously took to the streets and gathered on both sides of the main roads. It was a sea of black, yet very quiet. They looked up at the novel light bulbs, their eyes filled with curiosity, awe and anticipation. “Dad, do you think the county magistrate can really make those glass bubbles glow? Without lighting them?” A childish voice sounded in the crowd, with a hint of uncertainty. “Hush, keep your voice down!” A burly man lowered his voice and patted his son’s head. “The county magistrate is a god like figure. If he says it can be done, it will definitely be done!” The people beside him nodded vigorously: “That’s right! When has our county governor ever said anything empty? Just wait and see, tonight, we will witness a miracle!” Similar conversations were happening one after another in the crowd. Time passed minute by minute, when the moon was at its zenith and the night was darkest. Lin Xiao slowly raised his hand and said, “Let’s start.” “Yes!” The messenger behind him immediately launched a signal flare. Zhang Fuan, who had been on standby at the steam power plant, received the signal, took a deep breath, and shouted, “Close the switch! Turn on the power!” “Boom ” In the power plant on the outskirts of the city, the huge steam engine roared and ran, driving the generator to rotate rapidly. As the huge switch was suddenly closed, the invisible electric current rushed along the thick copper wires like an awakened dragon and instantly rushed to thousands of households in the county town! “Bang!” A street lamp suddenly burst out with a bright and soft yellow white light, instantly dispelling the surrounding darkness! Then, it was like a spark that set the whole field ablaze! “Snap! Snap! Snap, snap, snap!” The second lamp, the third lamp, the tenth lamp, the hundredth lamp… Rays of light lit up one after another, starting from the main street in the city center and quickly spreading to the surrounding areas! However, in just a few dozen breaths, the entire Qinglin County City, from the main streets to the remote alleys, countless electric lights bloomed with brilliant light one after another! The county town, which was originally shrouded in darkness, was as bright as day at this moment! Chapter 355 God’s Means “Buzz—” After a brief silence, there was a thunderous roar of exclamation! “It’s bright! It’s really bright!” “Oh my god! This is a divine method! This is really a divine method!” “It’s so bright! Brighter than… brighter than daytime!” Wang Tiezhu, who was standing on the street, suddenly felt a white flash in front of his eyes. The dazzling light made him squint subconsciously. When he opened his eyes again, he was stunned. The streets that I was familiar with every day were now illuminated clearly by a light I had never seen before, and even a small stone on the ground could be seen clearly. The glass bubbles hanging under the eaves were now emitting a steady and dazzling light, illuminating everyone’s face. Zhang Daniu beside him opened his mouth wide, making a “ho ho” sound in his throat, and couldn’t say a word for a long time. “Dad! Look! It’s really bright! So bright!” Wang Gousheng excitedly. “A miracle! This is definitely a miracle!” I don’t know who shouted first, but then a large group of people in the crowd fell to their knees! “Long live the County Magistrate! The County Magistrate is a living god descended to earth!” “Thank you, Lord County Magistrate, for the light!” The people were so excited that their eyes were filled with tears. They kept kowtowing and kneeling in the direction of the county governor’s mansion and the corner tower of the city wall. In their eyes, this light that appeared out of nowhere was no different from a miracle, and Lin Xiao, who was able to control such power, was undoubtedly a god walking on earth! Cheers, exclamations, and cries of joy combined into a huge wave of sound, echoing for a long time over the brightly lit Qinglin County City. On the city wall, Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips. This brilliant light is another strong proof that he has changed this era. “Husband…” Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong snuggled up to him, one on each side. Their beautiful eyes shone with light, their voices trembling slightly. “It’s so beautiful, just like… just like a street market in heaven.” Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi were also standing not far away, looking at this unprecedented spectacle, their hearts filled with shock. A few half grown children, including Lin Rui and Lin Xin, were stunned by the sudden light at first, but then they burst into cheers, pointing at the lights in the distance, shouting and jumping excitedly. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan and others were completely in a trance. Li Dequan’s lips trembled as he murmured, “I have lived for most of my life and never thought…that the night could be as bright as the day…this…this is truly a divine trick, a divine trick!” He was so excited that tears streamed down his face. If it were not for the wrong occasion, he would have knelt down and kowtowed. Zhang Fuan was also dumbfounded. He participated in the construction of the power plant and knew the principle, but seeing the entire county city lit up with his own eyes, the visual impact and spiritual shock still made him feel like he was in a dream. Song Qinghe was relatively calm, but his clenched fists and slightly trembling body also showed his inner unrest. He took a deep breath and looked at Lin Xiao with a gaze filled with unprecedented awe and enthusiasm: “Your Excellency’s actions not only illuminate Qinglin County, but also illuminate the future of… the entire world!” This light that penetrated the heavens and the earth completely overturned their understanding of the world. Lin Xiao led the women down the city wall amidst awe and excitement. The streets were already crowded with people. When Lin Xiao appeared, the originally noisy crowd instantly quieted down, and then they knelt down like a tide. “Mr. County Magistrate, your majesty is mighty!” “A living immortal! A living immortal has descended to earth!” “Thank you for the light, my Lord. We will never forget it!” The people’s voices came from the heart, filled with the most sincere admiration and gratitude. They prostrated themselves on the ground, their foreheads pressed against the cold stone pavement, expressing their respect for Lin Xiao with the most pious gesture. Lin Xiao nodded slightly, and without saying anything more, he walked straight to the County Magistrate’s Mansion. He knew that any words would be superfluous at this moment. Back at the mansion, it was still brightly lit. As soon as the girls entered the house, they ignored everything else and were attracted by the novel electric lights. “Master, this thing is amazing! It lights up when you press it once, and turns off when you press it again!” Yan Susu’s little face was full of excitement. She pulled Lin Xiao’s sleeve and demonstrated it like she was presenting a treasure. “Yes, Brother Lin Xiao, this is much more convenient than an oil lamp, and it’s so bright!” Sister Lin couldn’t help but speak, with surprise in her tone. Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan also walked over to the lamp and examined it carefully. The light was not only bright but also steady, illuminating the furnishings in the room clearly. Lin Xiao looked at their excited expressions, walked over with a smile, and took Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan’s slender waists, whispering, “Do you like it? Tonight, let’s play with the lights on.” “Ah!” Pei Xueyi’s pretty face flushed, and she hit Lin Xiao lightly, her voice as thin as a mosquito, “My Lord, you are not serious again.” Liu Ruyan’s cheeks also flushed, and she glared at Lin Xiao with her beautiful eyes, but did not struggle. Instead, she leaned into his arms with a hint of shy expectation. Late at night, the clouds and rain have just stopped. [Pei Xueyi Favorability: 37+3] [Liu Ruyan Favorability: 49+5] A system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. There are two more chances to draw the lottery. Lin Xiao was delighted and chose to draw the lottery without hesitation. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Ten Rejuvenating Pills.] “Another anti aging pill, not bad.” Lin Xiao nodded. For women, they can never have too much of this stuff. “Continue the lottery!” The wheel spins again. Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Complete set of knowledge on tap water systems (from design, materials to construction and maintenance). “Tap water system!” Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. This is a good thing! Electricity solves the problem of lighting and future industrial power, and the tap water system will completely change the sanitary conditions of the territory and the convenience of life for residents. He carefully read the knowledge that emerged in his mind, ranging from water source selection, purification, pipeline laying, water tower construction, to the production of various valves and faucets. “What a pity, there is no plastic yet.” Lin Xiao felt a little regretful. Plastic pipes are lightweight, durable, and low cost, making them the workhorse of modern water systems. “But there’s a solution,” he thought. “We have mature ceramic firing technology, so we can use ceramic pipes instead. Although they’re a bit heavier and more difficult to construct, they’re still feasible for the entire county.” Moreover, with tap water, drainage and sewage treatment are more important. “It’s time to put public restrooms on the agenda,” Lin Xiao pondered. “Unified planning and centralized management can greatly improve environmental sanitation and reduce the spread of disease. This is of great significance to the health and long term development of the territory’s population.” Lin Xiao felt relieved when he thought that in the future every household in the county town would have access to clean and convenient tap water and the streets would be clean and tidy. Qinglin County is moving step by step towards a new era in his hands. Chapter 356: Popularizing the Toilet Liu Ruyan lay lazily on Lin Xiao’s solid chest, her long black hair loose, looking charming and satisfied. She gently drew circles on Lin Xiao’s chest with her jade fingers, feeling the strong heartbeat. After a long moment, she spoke softly, “Sir, this electric light… is truly amazing. If I could see it, I’d be amazed.” There was a hint of melancholy in her voice. Hearing this, Lin Xiao gently put his arm around her shoulders, placed a kiss on her smooth forehead, and said softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll accompany you to the capital in a few days. I’ll let your sister see what Qinglin County looks like now, and see how bright it is at night.” “Really?” Liu Ruyan raised her head in surprise, with anticipation glittering in her beautiful eyes. “Of course it’s true. When have I ever lied to you?” Lin Xiao smiled and scratched the tip of her upturned nose. Liu Ruyan felt sweet in her heart and was deeply moved. She took the initiative to move forward and gave Lin Xiao a deep kiss on the lips with infinite attachment and joy. She knew that her husband would definitely do what he said. The next day, after Lin Xiao finished dealing with some backlog official business, he began to plan the tap water system. He spread out the blueprints in his study and, based on the knowledge the system had given him in his mind, wrote down in detail the key points regarding the site selection of the water plant, water purification, pipeline laying, water tower construction, and subsequent maintenance. Not only that, he also specially planned the construction of public toilets and septic tanks. After a busy day, Lin Xiao finally finished putting together the preliminary plan. He then had Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe summoned. The two of them quickly arrived at the study. “Sir.” Song Qinghe and Zhang Fuan saluted respectfully. Lin Xiao gestured for them to sit down, handed them the blueprint, and said, “This is a new concept I’ve come up with, called a ‘tap water’ system. Simply put, it involves laying pipes to deliver purified water directly to every corner of the city. In the future, citizens will be able to use clean water without leaving their homes.” Song Qinghe and Zhang Fuan took the drawings and looked at them carefully. The more they looked, the more frightened they became. The complicated pipeline routes, water tower structures, and various unheard of terms on the drawings made them feel like they were reading a book written in a foreign language. Lin Xiao patiently explained, “The benefits of tap water aren’t just convenience. More importantly, it’s sanitation. Clean drinking water can greatly reduce the incidence of disease. Furthermore, I plan to build a number of public restrooms in the city, along with accompanying septic tanks for centralized waste treatment. This will fundamentally improve the sanitation of the entire county.” When they heard the words “public toilet” and “septic tank”, Song Qinghe and Zhang Fuan looked at each other in confusion. Although they didn’t quite understand the specific principles, after listening to Lin Xiao’s description, they knew that this was definitely a great thing that would benefit the country and the people. Song Qinghe pondered for a moment and said, “Your Excellency is absolutely right. With the increasing population in the territory, environmental sanitation is indeed a major problem. If we can truly achieve running water and centralized sewage disposal as you say, it will be a blessing for Qinglin County!” Zhang Fuan also nodded repeatedly: “Your Excellency has great foresight, and we admire you. But these… these pipes and various instruments, I’m afraid they will be difficult to manufacture.” Lin Xiao handed Zhang Fuan several more detailed drawings. “This is the specific material selection and production process. I’ve already considered it. We have mature ceramic firing technology, and we can use ceramic pipes instead. Although it’s heavier and more difficult to construct, it’s not impossible. As for small parts like valves and faucets, with the current level of our craftsmen, it’s not a problem to imitate them.” He paused and continued, “This matter concerns the livelihood of the people. Fu’an, the construction of the water plant will be handed over to you. You must organize the manpower as soon as possible and conduct preliminary tests. Qinghe, you will be responsible for coordinating all parties and cooperating with Fu’an’s work. You must also begin planning the site selection and construction of public restrooms.” “As you command!” Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe responded in unison, took the drawings with serious expressions. They know that every time adults come up with something new, it means a revolutionary change. After explaining the matter of the water plant, Lin Xiao returned to the inner courtyard. Thinking of the upcoming water supply system and the accompanying public toilets, an idea flashed through his mind the toilet. Since we are talking about public health, this epoch making sanitary ware is naturally indispensable. The comfort and convenience of a flush toilet cannot be compared to a squat toilet. Lin Xiao got to work right away. He asked someone to bring suitable clay, glaze, some wood and simple tools, and then started working in the yard. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Mrs. Lin and several other women gathered around curiously. “Husband, what are you doing? It’s so weird.” Yan Ruoxi blinked her big eyes and watched Lin Xiao kneading the clay to make a strange shape that had never been seen before. “Yeah, Brother Lin Xiao, this thing looks like a large… uh, chamber pot?” Mrs. Lin couldn’t help but ask, causing a burst of laughter. Lin Xiao kept his hands busy and explained with a smile: “This is called a toilet. Used with the tap water system I mentioned earlier, going to the toilet will be very convenient and clean in the future.” As he spoke, he carefully shaped the prototype of the toilet according to his memory. From the design of the S shaped trap, to the structure of the water tank, to the conception of the flush valve, all strive for simplicity and practicality. The women were confused. After some careful shaping and trimming, the prototype of a ceramic toilet was finally completed. Although it was just a rough piece and had not yet been fired and glazed, its unique shape had already attracted the admiration of the women. “Husband, this thing… can it really be cleaned by just washing it with water as you said?” Yan Ruotong poked the S shaped pipe curiously. “Once it’s fired and equipped with a water tank, you’ll know.” Lin Xiao patted the clay in his hand, a smug smile on his face, “I guarantee it will open your eyes.” He could already imagine the sensation it would cause when the first flush toilet came out in Qinglin County. This is not only an innovation in sanitary ware, but also a huge improvement in lifestyle. Under his leadership, the people of Qinglin County are gradually moving towards a more civilized and comfortable life. Chapter 357 Toilet After the toilet was finished, Lin Xiao hired a craftsman to build a matching water tank from clay according to his blueprints. He also used copper and wood to create a simple flush valve and float mechanism. Finally, the first truly functional flush toilet was assembled. In order to test the effect, Lin Xiao had someone set up a large wooden barrel next to the toilet, filled it with water, simulating the water supply of a water tower, and dug a simple water channel to bring water into the toilet tank. The sewage outlet of the toilet was connected to a temporary small pit dug in the distance. “Come and see, the time to witness a miracle has come again!” Lin Xiao clapped his hands and called out to the women who were looking around curiously in the yard. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Sister Lin, Pei Xueyi, Liu Ruyan, and sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu all gathered around. Several children also stretched their necks and looked at this strange thing curiously. In order to demonstrate the effect, Lin Xiao had someone throw some dirt into the toilet. Then he walked over to the toilet and pressed the flush valve on the tank. “Crash—” A strong stream of water gushed out of the tank and rushed into the toilet, forming a small vortex. Driven by the water flow, the leaves and mud clumps spun around and were sucked into the S shaped bend in the blink of an eye, disappearing. The inner wall of the toilet was flushed clean, leaving only a pool of clear water at the bend, isolating the smell from below. “ah!” “It’s gone! It’s really gone!” The women screamed in surprise, their eyes widening. Yan Ruoxi was the most lively. She was the first to come forward, carefully looking into the toilet bowl, and fanning it with her hand, she exclaimed in surprise, “There’s no smell at all! Husband, this is amazing!” Mrs. Lin was also amazed: “Brother Lin Xiao, how many good things are in your head?” Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan looked at each other and saw shock in each other’s eyes. They came from wealthy families and although they had servants to help them with their toilets, they had never imagined it could be so clean and odorless. This small toilet completely overturned their expectations. The two little girls, Yan Jing and Yan Susu, were even more excited. They circled around the toilet, eager to try it out. “Master, this… can we use it too?” Yan Susu asked in a low voice, her little face flushed. “Of course, this is for you.” Lin Xiao said with a smile, “Once the water system is built, every household will be able to use this toilet. By then, every courtyard in our mansion will be equipped with one.” “Great!” the girls cheered. the next day. Lin Xiao went to inspect the water plant under construction outside the city. Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe had been waiting there for a long time. Half a month later, the prototype of the water plant had emerged. The water intake was selected at a place with better water quality in the upper reaches of the Qinglin River. Rows of sedimentation tanks and filtration tanks have been built nearby, and workers are laying huge ceramic pipes according to the drawings. “Sir, look, this is the first batch of main water pipes we tried to burn. They are made exactly according to your drawings and are very sturdy.” Zhang Fuan pointed to the neatly stacked ceramic pipes on the side with pride on his face. These ceramic tubes are thick and long, and the joints are made with special mortise and tenon structures to facilitate connection and sealing. Lin Xiao picked up a piece of ceramic pipe and examined it carefully. He then asked about some details of the firing process and nodded with satisfaction. “Not bad, Fuan, you did a great job. But be careful to make sure the joints are sealed properly. You can use tung oil mixed with lime and hemp to fill them to ensure there are no leaks.” He walked to the filter pool again and checked the laying of sand, gravel, charcoal and other filter materials inside. “Filtration is key to ensuring water quality. The order and thickness of these layers of filter materials must strictly follow the standards.” Song Qinghe added, “Don’t worry, sir. We’ve already assigned someone to oversee this. But sir, we’re still a little unsure about the location of the water tower. Should we build it high up in the city center, or should we build several smaller water towers in different areas?” Lin Xiao pondered for a moment, his eyes sweeping across several high hills in the distant county town, and raised his finger, saying, “Of course, the higher the water tower, the better, so that the water pressure can cover the entire city. “I think we can build water towers at several commanding heights within the city to form a water supply network. This will not only ensure water pressure, but also make the water supply more stable, so that a problem in one place won’t cause a city wide water outage. I’ll give you detailed drawings of the specific locations and design details of each water tower when I return.” After a long tour around the water plant construction site, Lin Xiao gave specific solutions to many difficulties encountered by Zhang Fuan and Song Qinghe in actual construction, such as the connection method of ceramic pipes at bends, the installation location of pressure water pumps and foundation reinforcement. Every word he said was like a ray of light, which made the two of them suddenly enlightened and nodded in agreement. “At this rate, in another month, the first batch of tap water will be available to the county magistrate’s office and several major public areas,” Zhang Fuan said confidently. Lin Xiao nodded, quite satisfied with the progress. The establishment of tap water and public health systems is crucial to improving the quality of life and health of territory residents. After returning from the water plant, Lin Xiao handled some daily official business. Qinglin County’s affairs are now on track. Banks are operating smoothly, factories are bustling with activity, and farmland is flourishing thanks to improved irrigation facilities and the introduction of new crops. The steam engine and electricity, two groundbreaking technologies, are also steadily developing and being applied. Everything is thriving. That evening, after Lin Xiao finished his official duties, Liu Ruyan ground ink for him and said softly, “Sir, everything is going smoothly in the territory. It’s time for you to take a break.” Lin Xiao put down his pen, stretched, and looked out the window at the deepening dusk. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned to Liu Ruyan, smiling, “Ruyan, I promised you before that I would take you to the capital to see your sister. Now that the territory is relatively stable, why not set off today?” Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan raised her head in surprise, her beautiful eyes instantly filled with brilliance: “Sir…is it true?” “Of course it’s true.” Lin Xiao held her slightly cold hand. Liu Ruyan felt warm in her heart, her eyes slightly red, and she said “hmm” softly, leaning her head on Lin Xiao’s shoulder. That night, Lin Xiao informed the women in the mansion that he was going to the capital. “My husband is going to the capital? That’s great. Sister Ruyan can finally be reunited with the Queen.” Yan Ruoxi was happy for Liu Ruyan. Yan Ruotong asked carefully, “Husband, the journey to the capital is long, have you made all the arrangements?” “Don’t worry, we’ll ride the fur ball there, it’s very fast.” Lin Xiao said with a smile. Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang and others also gathered around, reminding them to pay attention to their diet on the road and to wear more clothes in the morning and evening. Pei Xueyi looked at the joy and anticipation that was hard to conceal on Liu Ruyan’s face, and nodded with a smile, feeling relieved for her. The children were even more excited. They surrounded Lin Xiao and Liu Ruyan, chattering non stop, “Daddy, is the capital city fun?” “Is it bigger than our county town?” “Are there any candied haws?” The child’s innocent words made everyone laugh. Early the next morning. Lin Xiao and Liu Ruyan simply packed a few sets of clothes and some accompanying items. In the yard, Maoqiu had been waiting for a long time. It was now even larger, its feathers gleaming in the morning light, and its gaze exuded a kingly aura. Lin Xiao first helped Liu Ruyan onto Maoqiu’s broad back, then he turned over and sat behind her. “Ruyan, sit tight.” Lin Xiao reminded softly. Liu Ruyan nodded gently, feeling the warmth and strength coming from behind her. Her heart was filled with excitement and anticipation about seeing her sister, as well as a hint of imperceptible sweetness. “Maoqiu, go!” Lin Xiao gave an order. The ball of fur let out a cry, and its huge body soared into the air, flying rapidly towards the capital, and disappeared into the sky in the blink of an eye. Chapter 358 Arrival in the Capital Capital city, imperial palace, Fengyi Palace. It was late at night, and the palace lanterns were swaying, illuminating the beautiful figure sitting in front of the window. Liu Weilan was dressed in a simple and elegant palace dress, staring at an unfinished landscape painting. The wolf hair brush in her hand was suspended in mid air, and there was a hint of sadness between her delicate brows. “Your Majesty, where is… today?” She put down her pen, rubbed her brows, and asked softly to the personal maid beside her. The maid bowed and replied, “Your Majesty, His Majesty is still in the carpentry room today. I heard… he hasn’t left his room for almost a month.” Upon hearing this, Liu Weilan sighed softly and looked at the dark night outside the window with complicated eyes. For a month, the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was obsessed with carving, forgetting all military and national affairs. She picked up the teacup, her fingertips touched the slightly cool wall of the cup, and her heart was also filled with coldness. As the night deepened, Liu Weilan took off her complicated palace dress, put on a light moon white silk nightgown, and prepared to go to bed. The pajamas were soft and fitted, outlining her exquisite curves. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. Under the candlelight, her skin was as white as jade. She lacked some of the dignity and majesty she had during the day, and gained some of the tenderness and laziness that belonged to a woman. Just as she was about to fall asleep, there was a barely perceptible sound outside the window. The window frame was gently pushed open, and two figures flashed in silently. “elder sister!” A familiar and somewhat excited voice sounded outside the bedroom. Liu Weilan suddenly opened her eyes, surprised and delighted: “Ruyan?” She quickly stood up. Liu Ruyan stood in front of the window, her face filled with a bright smile. Behind her stood a tall and straight man. It was Lin Xiao. “Sister, I’m here to see you!” Liu Ruyan took a few steps forward and held Liu Weilan’s hand affectionately. “Ruyan!” Liu Weilan was overjoyed. She excitedly held her sister’s hand tightly, her eyes full of joy. However, when her eyes swept over Lin Xiao, and then she looked down and saw that she was only wearing a thin nightgown, with her snow white wrists and faintly visible collarbone exposed, a surge of heat suddenly rushed from her cheeks to her ears. She cried out “Ah” and subconsciously wanted to cover her face with her hands, but she felt that this was even more inappropriate. She was embarrassed for a moment, and her cheeks were as red as if they were stained with rouge. Seeing this, Lin Xiao felt a little embarrassed. He quickly turned around and said with a light cough, “Your Majesty, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night.” Seeing this, Liu Ruyan smiled and pulled Liu Weilan towards the inner hall: “Sister, let’s go in and talk.” The two sisters sat on the couch and talked in detail about what had happened since they separated. Liu Weilan carefully studied Liu Ruyan, and the more she looked, the more startled she became. She discovered that her sister seemed even more radiant and charming than the last time they met in the palace. Her skin is so delicate that it seems like water can be squeezed out of it. Her eyes are bright and lively, and her whole body exudes an indescribable youthful vitality. “Ruyan, you…” Liu Weilan couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke Liu Ruyan’s cheek, “You seem to have changed a lot. You look even more beautiful.” Liu Ruyan felt sweet in her heart, knowing that this was the effect of the anti aging pill. She smiled and said, “Sister, you’re joking. Perhaps it’s the climate and soil of Qinglin County that nourishes people.” She didn’t elaborate, but the radiance that radiated from within could not be concealed. Liu Weilan was curious, but she also knew that now was not the time to ask in detail. I asked a lot more questions about Zhou Meir, and felt a little relieved to learn that my niece was doing well, smart and lovely. As they chatted, Liu Weilan looked at the dark night outside the window and remembered how the emperor was obsessed with carpentry during the day. The depression in her heart surged again. She looked at her spirited sister, and then thought of her own loneliness in the deep palace, and suddenly a bold idea came to her mind. “Ruyan,” Liu Weilan held her sister’s hand, a hint of longing in her eyes, “Beijing… I haven’t been out for a long time.” Liu Ruyan was so smart that she immediately understood her sister’s thoughts. Her eyes lit up and she asked, “Sister, do you want to go out for a walk?” Liu Weilan nodded slightly, then hesitated: “It’s just… the palace rules are very strict…” “Don’t worry, sister,” Liu Ruyan said with a smile, “With Lord Lin here and Maoqiu here, we can come and go without a trace, so no one will notice. Let’s go out quietly like last time, check out the night market in the capital, or just relax.” Liu Weilan’s heart stirred. Although her last trip out of the palace with Lin Xiao and Liu Ruyan was brief, it had made her feel a long lost sense of ease and freedom. She looked at Lin Xiao’s tall back outside the hall, and the worries in her heart gradually dissipated. She took a deep breath and made up her mind: “Okay!” She called the palace maid and instructed her, “Guard the palace gate for me. If anyone asks, tell them that I have gone to bed and cannot see anyone.” The palace maid responded. After everything was arranged, Liu Weilan quickly changed into the clothes of an ordinary rich girl. “Master Lin,” Liu Weilan walked up behind Lin Xiao, her voice filled with a barely perceptible excitement, “Thank you for your help.” Lin Xiao turned around and saw that Liu Weilan had already changed her clothes. He nodded slightly and said, “Your Majesty, you are welcome.” Liu Ruyan stepped forward and took Liu Weilan’s arm, smiling brightly: “Sister, let’s go!” The three of them quietly left Fengyi Palace. Under the cover of night, they easily avoided the patrolling guards and came to a secluded corner of the palace wall. Maoqiu had been waiting here for a long time, and his huge figure cast a faint shadow in the moonlight. Sitting on the ball’s broad back again, feeling the night breeze on his face, Liu Weilan’s joy almost overflowed. She looked at her sister who was smiling sweetly beside her, and then glanced at Lin Xiao who was as steady as a rock in front of her, and was full of anticipation for this night tour of the capital. Maoqiu found a secluded alley to land in the night, and the three of them quietly blended into the bustling night market in the capital. Unlike the dead silence in the palace, the capital city is now brightly lit and bustling with people. The cries of street vendors, the laughter of children, and the sounds of stringed instruments coming from restaurants all come together to form a lively melody of human life. Liu Weilan hadn’t been here for a long time, and for a moment she was overwhelmed, with a barely perceptible excitement hidden deep in her eyes. “Sister, let’s go over there and take a look!” Liu Ruyan held Liu Weilan’s hand, like an ordinary girl, full of curiosity about everything. The three of them came to a restaurant on the street and chose a seat by the window on the second floor. In the lobby downstairs, a storyteller in a long blue cloth gown was telling a story with saliva flying everywhere and his voice rising and falling, and the audience burst into applause from time to time. “…Speaking of Lord Lin, he’s truly a deity descending to earth! Did you know that the world was suffering from a severe drought, leaving thousands of miles of land barren and the people displaced? Lord Lin frowned, and he summoned a downpour! It rained heavily for three days and three nights, instantly relieving the drought!” The storyteller slammed the gavel, spit flying, and his tone was full of admiration. “Good!” Someone in the hall cheered loudly and threw the reward money into the gong on the stage. “And more! Lord Lin can not only summon the wind and rain, but also turn stone into gold! Under his rule, every household in Qinglin County now has enough food and clothing, and everyone lives and works in peace and contentment. Qinglin rice and Qinglin cloth are now the top notch products in our Great Zhou, and even money can’t buy them!” Liu Weilan felt mixed emotions as she listened to these almost mythical descriptions. She knew that Qinglin County would be extraordinary under Lin Xiao’s governance, but she never imagined that Lin Xiao’s reputation among the people had reached such a level. Some of these stories she had heard from her sister, and some she heard for the first time, but judging from the people’s heartfelt respect, they were by no means groundless. She turned her head to glance at Lin Xiao. He still looked calm and composed, as if the legendary figure in the storyteller’s words had nothing to do with him. Liu Ruyan was proud of it and whispered, “Sister, Lord Lin is even more powerful than he said.” Continuing to walk forward, Liu Weilan found that many stalls on the street had signs saying “Qinglin Products”. From exquisite glassware and white porcelain to finely textured cloths and beautifully packaged pastries, there were even some novel gadgets she had never seen before. The stall owners all proudly declared that these were goods from Qinglin County, and customers flocked to them, as if the three words “Qinglin County” were a guarantee of quality. Unknowingly, Lin Xiao’s influence had penetrated so deeply into the heart of the Great Zhou. As Liu Weilan watched all this, the feeling of trance in her heart became stronger and stronger. This formed a stark contrast with the gloomy atmosphere she saw in the deep palace. Chapter 359: Lin Xiao’s Biography As the night deepened, the number of people on the street gradually decreased. “Sister, it’s getting late, we should go back.” Liu Ruyan said softly. Liu Weilan nodded. Although she felt reluctant to leave, she knew she couldn’t stay for long. The three of them came to a secluded place again, and Maoqiu was already waiting there. Lin Xiao first helped Liu Ruyan up, then turned to Liu Weilan and extended his hand. Liu Weilan looked at Lin Xiao’s outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, and then gently placed her hand on it. Lin Xiao’s palms were broad, strong, and warm. With a little effort, he helped Liu Weilan steadily onto the fur ball’s back. Perhaps it was the cool night breeze, or perhaps it was Lin Xiao’s touch, but Liu Weilan felt her body slightly stiff and her cheeks a little hot. She sat behind Liu Ruyan, and Lin Xiao sat behind her. Through a layer of clothes, she seemed to be able to feel the heat coming from his body. The ball of fur flapped its wings and flew high, silently crossed the palace wall, and landed steadily in the courtyard of Fengyi Palace. After returning to the bedroom and dismissing the palace maids, Liu Ruyan took Liu Weilan’s hand and said excitedly, “Sister, you don’t know, a lot of new and interesting things have happened in the territory recently!” “Oh? Tell me about it.” Liu Weilan’s curiosity was aroused, and the depression caused by the emperor’s obsession with carpentry during the day seemed to have dissipated a lot. “That last time I told you about controlling the clouds and rain, that was just one of them,” Liu Ruyan said with a beaming smile. “The adults have recently invented a steam locomotive that can travel a thousand miles a day, and… an electric light! Sister, you can’t imagine, when that light is turned on, the night is as bright as day, brighter than hundreds of candles, and it doesn’t even smoke!” Liu Weilan’s eyes widened when she heard this. She had heard about artificial rainfall from her sister and was extremely shocked, but she had never heard of the word “electric light”. “Electric light? What is it? How can it be as bright as daylight?” “Yes!” Liu Ruyan nodded vigorously. “The adults even made something called a toilet. Just flush it with water and the dirt will be cleaned up. There’s no odor at all!” Liu Ruyan described to Liu Weilan the power generation, tap water, toilets, etc. that she saw in Qinglin County. Each of these things was beyond Liu Weilan’s cognition, making her feel incredible, yet yearning for them. It was a convenient, clean and vibrant world that she could never imagine. “Sister, if you have the chance, you should really go to our Qinglin County and see it with your own eyes, then you will know how magical it is!” Liu Ruyan invited sincerely. There was a hint of obvious excitement in Liu Weilan’s eyes. She was full of curiosity about the world her sister described, and wanted to witness those incredible “miracles” with her own eyes. But immediately, the light in her eyes dimmed a little, and she sighed softly: “As the queen, how can I leave the palace so easily…” Lin Xiao had been listening quietly, and finally smiled and said, “If Her Majesty wants to go, it’s not difficult. With Maoqiu here, she can go back and forth in a day, quietly, without disturbing anyone.” His tone was calm, yet it carried a convincing force. Upon hearing this, Liu Weilan’s hesitation began to ease again. She remembered that the emperor was obsessed with carpentry and ignored state affairs. He had not set foot in Fengyi Palace for almost a month. In this deep palace, I am just a bird in a cage. I seem noble, but I am actually lonely. With the personal maid around, and careful arrangements, it shouldn’t be a problem to provide cover for a few days. “Sister, go! Go and see our home!” Liu Ruyan held her hand, her eyes full of anticipation. Liu Weilan’s voice trembled slightly, but she finally made up her mind, “Okay, I’ll go with you to take a look.” Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan’s eyebrows lit up with joy and she hugged Liu Weilan tightly: “Sister, you will definitely not be disappointed!” Lin Xiao smiled faintly: “It will be a great honor for Qinglin County if Her Majesty the Queen can go. Let’s set off now without further delay.” Liu Weilan nodded, feeling both anticipation and a bit nervous about leaving the palace without permission as the queen. The night was deep, and the palace lanterns flickered. Lin Xiao first helped Liu Ruyan onto Maoqiu’s broad back, then turned and reached out to Liu Weilan. Liu Weilan looked at the hand in front of her, its bony joints and calloused skin, and her heart skipped a beat. Without further hesitation, she gently placed her hand on it. He exerted a little force, and Liu Weilan felt her body lighten, and she landed steadily on the fur ball’s back, sitting behind Liu Ruyan. The fur ball let out a low cry, flapped its wings, and its huge body soared into the sky like an arrow, silently blending into the night. High in the sky, the night wind is biting. Liu Weilan had never experienced such high speed flying before. She was a little nervous at first and subconsciously held on to Liu Ruyan in front of her. Liu Ruyan felt her sister’s nervousness, turned around and smiled at her, then winked at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao sat behind Liu Weilan. In order to steady the two of them, he stretched out his arms and hugged them. His left hand was around Liu Ruyan’s waist, and his right hand was gently on Liu Weilan’s waist. Even through several layers of clothes, Liu Weilan could still clearly feel the warmth from Lin Xiao’s palm, as well as the faint, reassuring masculine scent from him. Her cheeks instantly flushed and her body became slightly stiff. “Sister, look, the adults are so nice to you, they’re afraid you’d fall.” Liu Ruyan sensed something was wrong with her sister, leaned close to her ear, and whispered with a mischievous smile. Liu Weilan felt embarrassed and ashamed. She gently pinched the soft flesh on Liu Ruyan’s waist and said in a low voice, “What nonsense!” His eyes couldn’t help but glance at the strong arms behind him, and a strange ripple arose in his heart. Liu Ruyan refused and said to Lin Xiao, “Sir, you must work hard to marry my sister. She is the queen of our Great Zhou!” “Ruyan!” Liu Weilan was both embarrassed and angry. She hit her sister lightly, but her voice was not loud, for fear that Lin Xiao would hear it too clearly. Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao just chuckled and did not answer, his gaze looking into the distance. The ball of fur flew at an extremely fast speed, and soon it had flown away from the capital. The earth below presented a different scene in the moonlight. At first, the areas they flew over had sparse villages and the fields seemed a bit desolate. The occasional lights that could be seen were as faint as dots, and seemed particularly lonely in the vast darkness. Liu Weilan had lived in the deep palace for a long time. Although she knew that the world was not prosperous everywhere, she still felt a little heavy in her heart when she saw such a scene with her own eyes. This is the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty. As the queen, she is powerless to change much. I don’t know how long I flew, but when the ball of fur entered a new area, the scene below suddenly became clear. The first thing that catches your eye is the vast expanses of neatly planned fields. Even in the darkness, you can vaguely make out the outlines of the ridges. Then, villages and towns appeared like chess pieces, and the lights were obviously much denser than in the areas seen before. In some places, they were even connected together, like a galaxy on the ground. “Sister, look, below is the territory of our Qinglin County!” Liu Ruyan pointed downwards, her tone full of pride. Liu Weilan looked intently and saw that the road below was wide and flat, vaguely visible. The layout of the villages and towns also appeared to be well organized, unlike the chaotic layout seen before. What surprised her most was that she saw some strange buildings that she had never seen before. They were shining like stars in the night, and it seemed that there were many people moving around. “Where are those glowing places?” Liu Weilan asked curiously. “Some are workshop areas. Adults have built many factories and people are working there day and night. Some are newly planned residential areas,” Liu Ruyan explained. Liu Weilan was secretly shocked by what she heard. Factories working day and night, brightly lit residential areas, this land was filled with a vitality she could hardly imagine. The further you fly towards the heart of Qinglin County, the more obvious the prosperous scene below becomes. This strong contrast made Liu Weilan’s curiosity and anticipation for Qinglin County even stronger. Chapter 360: Phoenix Riding the Qinglin I don’t know how long I flew, but a huge city appeared in front of me, with bright lights, like a pearl inlaid in the earth. “Sister, that’s the county town!” Liu Ruyan said excitedly. The ball of fur lowered its altitude, silently crossed the city wall, and flew towards a large mansion in the city, and finally landed steadily on an open space in the backyard of the mansion. As his feet stepped onto the solid ground, Liu Weilan was still a little dazed, as if the wonderful air journey just now was just a dream. “Empress, Ruyan, go back to your room and rest for a while. I’ll be back soon.” Lin Xiao said, and walked straight towards the study. It seemed that he had some official business to deal with. Liu Weilan looked at Lin Xiao’s departing back and couldn’t help but sigh in her heart. Such a person with unpredictable means was still diligent in government affairs. No wonder he could govern Qinglin County so well. “Sister, come on, I’ll take you to visit our home!” Liu Ruyan took Liu Weilan’s hand and said excitedly. Liu Ruyan took Liu Weilan’s hand and walked through the corridor towards the inner courtyard. As soon as they stepped into the inner courtyard of the mansion, several figures came to meet them. “Sister, these are the two sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong that I mentioned to you, as well as Sister Lin, Aunt Wang, and Sister Pei Xueyi…” Liu Ruyan introduced them one by one. Yan Ruoxi was the most lively person. She walked forward with a smile and took Liu Weilan’s other hand: “Your Majesty, you have come from afar. Please come in and rest.” Liu Weilan looked at the bright and beautiful faces in front of her and felt slightly surprised. These women, whether the Yan sisters, Mrs. Lin, or Aunt Wang, all have delicate skin and are full of energy. You can’t tell their actual age, but instead they all exude a youthful vitality. As the queen, she had countless skincare products in the palace, but she still felt that she could not compare to their radiance from the inside out. Liu Weilan responded with a faint smile. The queen’s majesty remained unchanged, but she also became a little more easy going. Everyone surrounded Liu Weilan and led her into the main reception hall, where maids served her fragrant tea and snacks. As soon as Liu Weilan sat down, she noticed a peculiarly shaped white porcelain placed in the corner of the hall. There was also a shiny metal curved pipe on the wall next to it, with a small knob underneath. “Sister, that is a great treasure of our Qinglin County.” Liu Ruyan pointed in the direction of her gaze with a mysterious smile on her face. Yan Ruoxi interrupted, “Your Majesty, this is called ‘tap water’. Look,” she walked over and gently turned the knob. “Wow—” A stream of clear water gushed out from the curved pipe and poured into the white porcelain basin connected below, splashing water and making a pleasant sound. Liu Weilan exclaimed “Ah!”, her beautiful eyes widened, her face full of disbelief. Water in the palace was drawn bucket by bucket from the well by palace servants and then poured into water tanks for storage. Have you ever seen such a wonderful sight of running water flowing out when you turn on the switch? “So this is tap water…” Her voice trembled slightly. “Yes, this is brought in from the river outside our county town. After being purified, it’s delivered to every household through pipes.” Yan Ruoxi explained, “Now, throughout the county town, as long as we turn on this, we have clean water at any time. It’s very convenient for washing clothes and cooking!” Liu Weilan walked forward, stretched out her slender jade fingers, and tentatively touched the water, which was cold and clear. She looked at the metal bend and knob again, and was deeply shocked. This kind of exquisite design was simply unheard of. “Sister, there’s more!” Liu Ruyan pulled her towards a small room nearby. “We all use this in our house now.” Pushing open the door, there is a small room with elegant decoration. The most eye catching thing is a snow white porcelain, which looks a bit like a strange chair and has a water tank connected to the back. “This…what is this?” Liu Weilan frowned, somewhat puzzled. “This is a toilet, used for going to the toilet.” Yan Ruoxi said with a smile, without any hesitation. When Liu Weilan heard this, her cheeks turned slightly red. Although the toilets in the palace were cleaned, there was always some smell, and it was quite troublesome to deal with the waste. This white porcelain “chair” in front of me looks clean and elegant, but… “Sister, look.” Liu Ruyan stepped forward and pointed to a button on the wall next to the toilet. “When you’re done, just press this.” She pressed it lightly. “Clatter—” Water gushed out from the water tank behind the toilet with great force, instantly flushing the inner wall of the toilet clean. All the dirt disappeared with the water flow, leaving only a white area, and there was no odor in the air. Liu Weilan was completely stunned. She stared at the magical scene with her mouth open, speechless for a long moment. This was infinitely superior to the most luxurious lavatory in the palace! “How is it, sister? Is it convenient?” Liu Ruyan raised her chin proudly. Liu Weilan took a deep breath, barely calming the turmoil in her heart. She nodded, her voice a little dry: “It’s truly a masterpiece of art.” “Yes,” Liu Ruyan said with a smile, “The adults said this is called improving people’s livelihood and enhancing the quality of life. Now our entire county town has running water and flush toilets. Even the public restrooms have been renovated to look like this. They are clean and convenient.” Liu Weilan’s heart was in turmoil. “Sister, the more amazing things are yet to come!” Liu Ruyan pulled Liu Weilan and led her to the main hall. At this time, the sky was gradually getting dark and the light in the house was a little dim. Yan Ruoxi walked to the wall and pressed lightly on a small protrusion. “Pah.” In an instant, several glass covers hanging on the ceiling suddenly lit up, emitting a soft and bright light, instantly illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime! “Ah!” Liu Weilan exclaimed again and subconsciously covered her eyes with her hands. After she adapted to the light, she put down her hands and looked at the glowing lights in disbelief. These lamps have no flames and no smoke, but they are brighter than dozens of candles combined, and the light is stable and not dazzling. “This…is this a light bulb?” Liu Weilan’s voice trembled a little. “Yes.” Liu Ruyan walked over to a wall lamp and pointed at the filament inside. “My Lord said it’s powered by electricity. Our entire county town now has electric lights. It’s as bright at night as it is during the day. We don’t have to worry about walking at night anymore.” Liu Weilan stretched out her hand cautiously, wanting to touch the glowing lampshade, but was a little afraid. Lin Xiao had finished his business at some point and walked in. Seeing this, he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Queen. The lampshade is only slightly warm, but it won’t hurt. Ruyan, have your sister try the switch as well.” Liu Ruyan smiled and took Liu Weilan’s hand, leading her to the switch on the wall: “Sister, press this.” Liu Weilan took a deep breath, stretched out her finger as instructed, and gently pressed the small bump. “Pah.” The lights in the house went out instantly, and the room fell into darkness again. She pressed it again tentatively. “Pah.” The light comes again. Liu Weilan pressed it repeatedly, feeling the instantaneous switch between light and darkness. The sense of control made her excited, and her cheeks flushed with excitement. She looked at the bright room, then looked at her sister and Lin Xiao beside her, as well as Yan Ruoxi and others with smiling faces, and for a moment she was a little dazed. This Qinglin County is simply a world she has never imagined. And in her eyes, Lin Xiao, who created all this, became more and more unfathomable and full of mysterious charm. Chapter 361 Very fierce In the evening, Lin Xiao cooked by himself. Liu Weilan was a little surprised when she looked at the table full of delicious dishes. Some of these dishes were ones she had never seen before. They were fragrant and mouth watering. “Sister, try this. The dishes cooked by the adults are delicious.” Liu Ruyan picked up a piece of golden and crispy fish and put it into Liu Weilan’s bowl, saying with a smile. Liu Weilan was startled and looked at Lin Xiao. He was calmly picking up food for the children, as if cooking was a very common thing. She was the queen, living a life of luxury in the palace, and her chef’s skills were naturally top notch. However, she had never imagined that a man who was in charge of such a vast territory and possessed such great means would actually cook for her personally. She picked up a piece of fish and put it into her mouth. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, extremely delicious, and the taste was no less than that of the imperial chef in the palace. “How does it taste?” Lin Xiao raised his eyes and asked casually. Liu Weilan put down her chopsticks and nodded. “It tastes great. I didn’t expect Master Lin to have such cooking skills.” Lin Xiao smiled and didn’t say much. Everyone enjoyed the meal happily. As the night deepened, the lights in the mansion grew brighter, illuminating the hall as if it were daytime, even clearer than during the day. Under the light, everyone’s face could be seen clearly. Liu Weilan looked at the glass lampshade hanging above her head, emitting a steady light, and her shock increased. It was amazing to see it for the first time during the day, but now against the backdrop of the night, the electric light is even more magical, like a miracle. “This light is brighter at night than during the day.” Liu Weilan sighed softly. “Yes, sister, with this, I no longer have to strain my eyes when reading and writing at night.” Liu Ruyan smiled, “The whole county town is like this now. When you go out at night, the streets are as bright as day. It’s so safe.” Late at night, sisters Liu Weilan and Liu Ruyan lived in the same room. After taking off their hairpins and rings and changing into pajamas, the two sisters lay on the soft bed and whispered to each other. “Sister, how about Qinglin County?” Liu Ruyan turned sideways and looked at Liu Weilan. Liu Weilan was silent for a moment, then said, “It’s unbelievable and unheard of. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, it would be hard to believe that such a scene could exist in the world.” She paused, then continued, “Lin Xiao… is truly unfathomable.” Liu Ruyan chuckled: “Sir, you are naturally powerful.” As the two were talking, there was a faint noise coming from the next room. It was not very clear at first, but gradually, some suppressed, fragmented sounds came intermittently, accompanied by a woman’s low and melodious moan. Liu Weilan was of such status that, despite having lived in the deep palace for a long time, she was not completely ignorant of these matters. However, the emperor was obsessed with carpentry and had long since left the harem, so she had not seen him for a long time… Her cheeks flushed instantly and she moved a little unnaturally. Seeing this, Liu Ruyan’s eyes flashed with a mischievous smile. She leaned close to Liu Weilan’s ear and whispered, “Sister, it’s Yan Jing and Yan Susu, the two girls, who are serving the master.” “This… this…” Liu Weilan was somewhat speechless. Although there were concubines in the palace who slept with the emperor, she had never seen such unrestrained behavior, with the noise so loud that it could be heard by the neighbors. Moreover, the sound seemed… particularly intense. The noise continued for a long time, as if tireless. Liu Weilan only felt her face burning and her heartbeat was somewhat out of control. Seeing her embarrassment, Liu Ruyan leaned close to her ear and whispered with a hint of teasing, “Sister, the master is…very energetic. The sisters in the mansion all went through this. Speaking of which, sister…how long has it been since you were like this?” “You!” Liu Weilan was embarrassed and annoyed. She hit Liu Ruyan lightly and said angrily, “What nonsense!” She turned around with her back to Liu Ruyan, but her cheeks were burning. The emperor was obsessed with carpentry and had not set foot in her Fengluan Palace for a long time. Even if he came, it was mostly routine matters. He had never felt such… such strong affection. Liu Ruyan chuckled behind her and stopped teasing her. The noise from next door continued for several hours before gradually subsiding. Liu Weilan, however, tossed and turned for a long time before she finally fell into a light sleep with mixed feelings. The next day. After Lin Xiao finished dealing with some urgent official business, he went to the backyard for a walk and happened to meet Liu Weilan in the garden. Today she changed into a simple and elegant palace dress. Although she was not wearing any makeup, her natural beauty and noble temperament could not be concealed. Perhaps because she didn’t sleep well last night, there was a faint shadow of blue under her eyes, which made her look even more charming. “Her Majesty the Queen got up early.” Lin Xiao greeted casually. Liu Weilan nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Lin Xiao for a moment before she looked away and said softly, “Lord Lin, what I saw yesterday has already broadened my horizons. Could you please… take a look at other places in Qinglin County?” She wanted to know more about how this man had transformed a piece of land into what it is today. Hearing this, Lin Xiao raised his lips slightly: “Since Her Majesty is in such a refined mood, I shall accompany you.” As he said this, he whistled. A moment later, a black lightning like figure rushed over from a distance and stopped in front of Lin Xiao. It was the Black Panther. The Black Panther had a sleek body, sleek fur, and a pair of piercing eyes, looking majestic. Seeing this, Liu Weilan took a step back. It was the first time she had such close contact with such a ferocious beast. “Your Majesty, don’t be alarmed. This is my mount. It’s called Black Panther and has a gentle temperament.” Lin Xiao patted the Black Panther’s head, and the Black Panther rubbed his hand affectionately. Lin Xiao turned over and mounted the leopard’s back, then extended his hand to Liu Weilan: “If you want to see it more carefully, riding a horse is too slow, and riding in a carriage is too inconvenient. The Black Panther is fast and steady, so it’s the most suitable. But you have to ride with me.” Liu Weilan looked at Lin Xiao’s outstretched hand, then looked at the tall black panther, and her cheeks couldn’t help but turn red. Riding on the same horse with a man, this… this is against etiquette. As the queen, how could she be so careless? She hesitated and wanted to refuse. Lin Xiao seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled, “Don’t worry, Queen, it’s just for convenience. This way, we can get a general overview of the county city within a day. Otherwise, it would take quite a while.” Liu Weilan was torn between her inner self and her own desires. On the one hand, she was bound by her status as queen and the constraints of etiquette. On the other hand, she was overwhelmed by her intense curiosity about this magical place and Lin Xiao’s unquestionable composure. She thought of all the incredible things she had seen yesterday, and all the magical things about Lin Xiao that Liu Ruyan had described. In the end, the desire to explore the unknown overwhelmed her worries. She took a deep breath and gently placed her delicate hand in Lin Xiao’s broad palm. Lin Xiao exerted a little force on his hands, and Liu Weilan felt her body lighten. He pulled her steadily onto the leopard’s back and she sat in front of him. The black panther seemed to sense that there was another person on its back and moved slightly, but remained steady. Liu Weilan’s body was a little stiff, and she tried her best to keep a distance from Lin Xiao, but the faint fragrance of soapberries and the unique masculine scent on his body lingered on her nose, making her feel strange. “Hold on tight.” Lin Xiao’s voice came from behind. The black panther growled, spread out its four hooves, and rushed out like a black lightning, running towards the outside of the city. The sound of the wind whistled past her ears, and Liu Weilan subconsciously grabbed Lin Xiao’s clothes, and her body leaned back involuntarily, sticking close to him. Feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, Lin Xiao’s lips curled up slightly, but his eyes still looked calmly ahead. Chapter 362 Visiting Qinglin Soon, a straight and wide gray “road” appeared before our eyes, stretching into the distance, as if there was no end. The road was smooth as a mirror, devoid of the potholes and dust of ordinary dirt roads, and shone with a faint bluish gray sheen in the sunlight. The carriage’s ride on it must have been even smoother than on the imperial road within the palace. “This is a cement road.” Lin Xiao’s voice rang in her ears. “Using it to pave the road is strong and durable. It won’t get muddy on rainy days and there’s less dust on sunny days. Most of the main roads in the county have been paved.” A hint of surprise flashed across Liu Weilan’s beautiful eyes, and then turned into deep shock. She had only seen similar bluestone roads in some important areas of the imperial palace, but those were huge projects that cost a lot of money, and their scale was far less impressive than the endless grandeur of this place. And Lin Xiao was able to use this “cement” that she had never heard of and popularize it in ordinary counties. Black Panther continued along the cement road, his pace undiminished. Soon, a faint sound of water could be heard ahead. A massive dam stretched across a surging river like a giant gray dragon. The dam, also made of concrete, appears incredibly solid, heavy, and majestic, firmly holding back the surging river waters to create a vast, shimmering reservoir. The occasional flight of waterfowl over the water only adds to its tranquility and vastness. “This is also made of cement, and it’s called the Qinglin Dam.” Lin Xiao pointed at the reservoir. “With it, the vast farmland downstream will be safe from floods and droughts. It can prevent floods, store water, and irrigate the land—all at once.” Liu Weilan was silent. She imagined how the dam would resist the power of nature when floods came, and how it would nourish all things during droughts. This is no longer a simple project, but a force that is almost earth shattering. In the distance, on both sides of the river valley, there are rows of neat houses, the walls of which are also this unique gray, and the roofs are covered with green tiles, which are particularly eye catching among the green mountains and green waters. “Those houses also use more cement, which keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer, and is fireproof and moisture proof. They are much stronger and safer than adobe houses, and ordinary people can afford to build them.” Liu Weilan watched all this, her heart in turmoil. She knew that Lin Xiao’s territory was rich, but she never imagined that he could use a seemingly ordinary “soil” to such a superb level. Roads, water conservancy, and people’s livelihood are all covered and well organized. This is not just wealth, but also a kind of creativity and execution that she finds difficult to understand. As the queen, she had dreamed of letting the people of the Great Zhou live and work in peace and contentment, but the reality was that the treasury was empty and there were constraints everywhere. The Black Panther nimbly changed direction and ran towards a place with numerous chimneys and roaring machines. A faint smell of sulfur and coke gradually filled the air. “That’s the largest steel mill in the county,” Lin Xiao said. “Steam engines, cannons, farm tools, and even the iron pots and ironware people use every day, most of them come from here.” Before getting close, you can feel a scorching heat wave coming towards you. Entering the factory, the fire was even more blazing. The huge hydraulic forging hammers made a deafening roar and hit the red hot iron blocks again and again, sparks flying like festive fireworks. The workers worked shirtless, beads of sweat dripping down their tanned skin. A middle aged man who looked like a manager saw Lin Xiao and hurried over to him, bowing respectfully: “Sir!” “Director Wang, how is the production today?” Lin Xiao asked. Director Wang puffed out his chest and reported proudly, “Sir, thanks to you, our steel plant’s daily output of refined steel has reached 30,000 kilograms, and ordinary steel has even exceeded 100,000 kilograms! We are also continuously developing and improving various special steels in accordance with your instructions.” Liu Weilan was shocked again when she heard this number. Thirty thousand kilograms of fine steel, one hundred thousand kilograms of ordinary steel, was this just one day’s output? She looked at the blazing furnace in the factory and the busy workers, and was a little dazed for a moment. How many armies and how many farm tools can be equipped with this steel? After leaving the steel plant, Black Panther took the two to a vast field. Although it is not the autumn harvest season, the crops in the fields are dark green and growing well, stretching as far as the eye can see. Between the ridges of the fields, you can see many huge wooden water wheels. Driven by the canals, they slowly rotate and evenly spread water to the fields. “The farmlands here have been planned, and the water conservancy facilities are relatively complete.” Lin Xiao pointed at the water trucks, “Even if there is a slight drought, irrigation can be guaranteed.” Liu Weilan looked at this vibrant scene, which was in stark contrast to the many places she knew that were withered due to drought. She could also see some farmers working in the fields with relaxed smiles on their faces. As he was watching, Lin Xiao suddenly reined in Black Panther, jumped down, and said with a smile: “There’s an acquaintance up ahead, come over and have a cup of tea.” Liu Weilan looked and saw a simple tea stall under a big tree beside the ridge of the field not far away. An old farmer with gray hair was chatting with someone, and a little girl with pigtails was playing next to him. When the old farmer saw Lin Xiao, he was stunned at first, then a look of ecstasy appeared on his face. He dropped the tea bowl and was about to kneel down. “Mr. Zhao, there’s no need to be so polite.” Lin Xiao quickly stepped forward and supported him. It was Zhao Mancang whom Lin Xiao met when he returned to Qinglin County. “Lord Lin! Why are you here?” Zhao Mancang’s voice trembled with excitement. “I’m passing by and want a cup of tea.” Lin Xiao smiled and pulled Liu Weilan to sit on a simple wooden stool. Zhao Mancang skillfully poured coarse tea for Lin Xiao and Liu Weilan. Liu Weilan picked up the tea bowl and looked at the ordinary old farmer in front of him. Something in his heart moved, and he asked softly, “Old man, may I ask what you think of the current court?” Upon hearing this, Zhao Mancang’s smile faded. He sighed, and a trace of disdain and resentment flashed in his eyes. “The imperial court? Humph, if it weren’t for Lord Lin, my old bones and my little one would have starved to death while fleeing the famine! Besides demanding donations and food, the imperial court has never cared about the lives of ordinary people like us. The taxes are getting heavier every year, and corrupt officials are rampant. How can we survive?” There was deep hatred in his voice, obviously he had experienced those sufferings personally. Liu Weilan’s heart darkened when she heard this. She tightened her hand holding the tea bowl slightly and remained silent. As the queen, she knew all this, but she was trapped in the inner palace and was powerless to do anything about it. She was silent for a moment, then asked, “Then…where is Lord Lin?” Upon hearing this, the gloom on Zhao Mancang’s face vanished, his eyes instantly lit up, and he said excitedly, “Master Lin? Master Lin is a living Bodhisattva, a deity from heaven sent down to save the suffering! Ever since Master Lin came to Qinglin County, we poor people have finally been able to truly live like human beings! We have food to eat, clothes to wear, our children can go to school, and when we’re sick, we have doctors to see. We don’t have to worry about being bullied by those corrupt officials and bullies!” The little ball next to him also ran over, looking up at his little face, and rushed to say, “Master Lin is the best! Master Lin gives us candy, builds us a beautiful house, and lets us go to school! When I grow up, I want to be as great as Master Lin!” Zhao Mancang touched his granddaughter’s head, his face full of gratitude: “Yes, Lord Lin not only kept us well fed and clothed, but also gave us dignity as human beings ! Before, when we met officials, we were like mice meeting a cat. Now, we can stand up straight and speak with dignity! All of this was given by Lord Lin!” Liu Weilan listened to the heartfelt praise from the grandparents and grandchildren, and looked at the sincere admiration and gratitude in their eyes. She felt mixed emotions and remained silent for a long time. She knew there was nothing false in these words. A man who is so loved by the people under his rule, a man who can give desperate disaster victims a new life… She looked at Lin Xiao again, this man who seemed casual and lazy but had created countless miracles, and her eyes became more complicated. Chapter 363: The People’s Hearts in Hand Zhao Mancang was still excited. His face flushed, and he rubbed his hands together, saying repeatedly, “Master Lin, Madam, if you don’t mind my humble home, please come and have a drink and a simple meal! We just got some fresh vegetables.” Lin Xiao glanced at Liu Weilan and saw that she had no intention of objecting, so he smiled and nodded: “Okay, sorry to bother Mr. Zhao.” “Don’t bother me, don’t bother me! It’s a great blessing for me that you are willing to come!” Zhao Mancang was overjoyed and hurriedly led the way. Xiaoqiuqiu followed Lin Xiao, jumping and skipping, looking up at him from time to time, his eyes full of admiration. Zhao Mancang’s home is not far from the ridge of the field. It is a semi new blue brick and tile house. The yard is clean and tidy, and there are a few sunflowers planted in the corner. Liu Weilan saw this and thought to himself that it was simply a fantasy for ordinary farmers to live in such a house and have no worries about food and clothing elsewhere. The situation under Lin Xiao’s rule is indeed different from others. After entering the house, Zhao Mancang started to prepare the meal quickly. After a while, he served several home cooked dishes, including freshly picked stir fried vegetables, a plate of pickles, and a bowl of minced meat soup with two eggs. The staple food was white rice. Although it was simple, it was obvious that they had put in a lot of effort and used the best things to entertain the guests. “Empress, Lord Lin, we are from a country family and don’t have much good stuff. Please make do with what you have.” Zhao Mancang said a little awkwardly. Lin Xiao smiled and said, “Mr. Zhao, you are too polite. The food is delicious.” As he said that, he picked up the chopsticks. Liu Weilan also took a few bites. The food tasted really good, and more importantly, it had the atmosphere of a stable and secure life. Halfway through the meal, there was a sudden commotion outside the yard. “Old Zhao, are you at home? I heard that there are distinguished guests coming to your house?” A loud voice sounded. Zhao Mancang was startled and quickly stood up: “It’s our neighbor Zhang Sange who’s here.” Before he finished speaking, a dark and strong man walked in cautiously. When he saw Lin Xiao sitting in the room, he was like being struck by lightning. His eyes widened, his mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg, and the farm tools in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. “Lin… Lord Lin?!” Brother Zhang San’s voice was shaking, and he was about to kneel down the next moment. Lin Xiao was quick to act, and with a gentle force, he supported him. “No need to be polite. I’m just passing by and want to have a quick meal with Mr. Zhao.” Brother Zhang San was too busy being polite. His face flushed with excitement as he turned and ran out, shouting, “Master Lin is here! Master Lin is at Mr. Zhao’s house!” This shout was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, and the whole village was instantly boiling. “What? Lord Lin is here?” “Go and see Master Lin!” “Is it really Lord Lin?” There was a loud noise, and in just a moment, the courtyard of Zhao Mancang’s house was surrounded by people, men, women, young and old, three layers inside and three layers outside, everyone stretched their necks to look inside, with expressions of excitement, reverence and disbelief on their faces. Seeing this, Lin Xiao smiled helplessly. Liu Weilan looked at this scene and was deeply shocked again. She had seen scenes where the streets were deserted to welcome the emperor, but those scenes were mostly organized by the government and filled with awe and alienation. The people in front of him had their eyes shining with love and enthusiasm from the bottom of their hearts, as if they had seen a god who saved people from suffering. This kind of public support speaks volumes more than any solemn ceremony. Lin Xiao and Liu Weilan finished their simple meal and left. Zhao Mancang and the villagers were reluctant to part with them and accompanied them all the way to the village entrance. Many people wanted to come closer and say a few words, but were afraid of offending the important person, so they just watched from afar, their eyes full of gratitude. Even after Lin Xiao and Liu Weilan disappeared in the distance, the villagers were reluctant to leave and gathered together, talking excitedly. This scene made Liu Weilan feel mixed emotions and speechless. The black panther took another step and ran towards the county town. Liu Weilan sat behind Lin Xiao. The wind brought by the running black panther brushed her cheeks, but she was still immersed in the shock of being supported by the people. Lin Xiao’s methods had long exceeded her understanding of a county magistrate. Suddenly, she felt a tightness around her waist, and Lin Xiao’s arm came around and embraced her. “Hold on tight.” Lin Xiao’s voice sounded in her ears with a hint of teasing. Liu Weilan’s body stiffened and she subconsciously wanted to struggle, but he held her tighter. His arms were strong and powerful, carrying an irresistible meaning. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of anger rose in her heart, but thinking about what had just happened, she felt somewhat powerless. “you……” “The road ahead is not easy to walk on, safety first.” Lin Xiao’s tone was very calm. Liu Weilan bit her lip, but ultimately did not move, though her body was still a little stiff. She could feel the warmth from his chest and the faint masculine scent, which made her feel a little confused. “Next, I’ll take you somewhere.” Lin Xiao’s voice sounded again. Liu Weilan’s heart moved, but she remained silent. Black Panther ran for about half an hour before he saw a heavily guarded camp in front of him. The gate was tall, flags were waving, and faint shouts of drill could be heard. “This is the Qinglin Army camp.” Lin Xiao said. When they arrived at the camp gate, a personal soldier recognized Black Panther and quickly reported it. Soon, Wang Jian came out quickly. Seeing Lin Xiao, he immediately knelt on one knee and said, “I am Wang Jian, the humble general, and I pay my respects to you, sir!” “Get up.” Lin Xiao turned over and got off the horse, helped Wang Jian up, and then helped Liu Weilan down. When Wang Jian saw Liu Weilan, although he didn’t know her identity, he saw that she had a noble temperament and was traveling with Lin Xiao, so he didn’t dare to be negligent and bowed respectfully. “Wang Jian, is there any training today?” Lin Xiao asked. Wang Jian perked up and said, “Your Excellency, today is the joint exercise between the Firearms Battalion and the Artillery Battalion. Would you like to review it?” “Very good, take us there.” Lin Xiao nodded and said to Liu Weilan, “Let’s go, Queen, let me show you the power of our Qinglin Army.” Liu Weilan followed Lin Xiao and Wang Jian onto the stage to select the generals. Looking around, the parade grounds were lined up in neat rows, the soldiers were all in high spirits, wearing the same dark military uniforms, holding standard muskets that she had never seen before, the gun bodies flashing with a cold metallic light. With Wang Jian’s order, the exercise began. “Musketeers, ready—fire!” “Bang bang bang bang—!” Deafening gunshots rang out continuously, and in the air filled with smoke, straw man targets hundreds of steps away were hit one after another, and wood chips flew everywhere. The rapid shooting speed and intensive firepower shocked Liu Weilan. Next came the artillery battalion’s drills. A dozen dark, sinister looking cannons were rolled out, their muzzles trained on a simulated city wall built of earth and stone in the distance. “fire!” “Boom! Boom! Boom!” There was a loud sound like an earthquake, and the shell was fired, hitting the target accurately with a sharp sound. The solid earthworks were like paper under the artillery fire, collapsing in an instant and sending smoke and dust into the sky. Liu Weilan could even see that after the shells hit the target, they would explode again with incredible power. This was no longer the war she knew. This kind of weapon, this well trained army, made her feel a wave of palpitations. After the exercise, Wang Jian came to report with a proud look on his face. Lin Xiao looked at Liu Weilan’s pale yet horrified face, a faint smile curled up at the corner of his mouth. His tone was calm but filled with unquestionable confidence: “Empress, do you see? With such a powerful army, sweeping across the world is not a difficult task.” He paused, his gaze gazing into the distance, his voice tinged with mystery. “The reason we still let the man on the throne sit is simply because the people’s livelihood and administrative system under his rule are not yet fully established, and logistics must be fully prepared. Sooner or later, this world will be mine.” Liu Weilan trembled all over and stared at Lin Xiao in a daze. For a moment, she couldn’t utter a word. The sunlight shone on Lin Xiao’s profile, giving him a golden halo, making her feel that the man in front of her was both familiar and unfamiliar. She felt a little afraid, but also gave rise to an indescribable complex emotion. The world will belong to him sooner or later… These words, like a thunderclap, echoed repeatedly in her heart. Chapter 364 The Queen is Confused After reviewing the army, Lin Xiao did not stop there. He took Liu Weilan to the county school. On both sides of the wide cement paved road are rows of neat school buildings, from which the sound of reading aloud can be heard, full of vitality. Liu Weilan saw that the schools here not only had elementary schools that taught children to read and punctuate, but also had specialized schools for mathematics, physics, agriculture, medicine, etc. The children were wearing clean and tidy uniforms, and their eyes were shining with a desire for knowledge. The teachers included white haired old men and energetic young people. Much of what they explained was something Liu Weilan had never heard of before, but it seemed extremely practical. “These are all county schools. All children of school age, regardless of their family background, can attend. Tuition fees are extremely low, and the poor can even be exempted.” Lin Xiao explained, “In my administration, we don’t want bookworms who only know how to study, but talented people who can read and write and possess a skill.” Liu Weilan looked at the children who were listening attentively and the teachers who were concentrating on their studies, and felt a mixed feeling in her heart. The official schools in the capital are mostly a stepping stone for the children of the powerful and wealthy. How could children from ordinary families have such an opportunity? Even if there is, what we learn is nothing more than the writings of sages. How could there ever be such detailed and practical divisions? Lin Xiao is not only creating material wealth, but also sowing the seeds of knowledge. This kind of power is more far reaching than powerful ships and cannons. After the tour, it was almost dusk, and Lin Xiao took Liu Weilan back to the mansion. At night, Liu Weilan still slept on the same bed with his sister Liu Ruyan. Everything she had seen during the day flashed through her mind like a picture scroll: the solid cement roads and dams, the steel mills producing tens of thousands of kilograms a day, the vibrant fields, the scenes of the people embracing them, the magnificent and well armed Qinglin Army, and those hopeful schools and students… All of this came from the hands of that seemingly casual and lazy man. She couldn’t help but compare Lin Xiao with the emperor in the deep palace who was obsessed with carpentry and increasingly lazy about state affairs. One worked hard to create a prosperous era; the other was lazy and let the country drift in the wind and rain. “Alas…” Liu Weilan sighed softly and said quietly, “Ruyan, tell me… if this world were handed over to him, wouldn’t it be… better?” Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan’s lips curled up slightly in the darkness. She held her sister’s hand and whispered, “Sister, Lord Lin’s abilities far exceed our imaginations. If he wants to take it, who in this world can stop him?” Liu Weilan remained silent. Yes, who could stop it? What she had seen today spoke for itself. After witnessing the prosperity and popular support under Lin Xiao’s rule, her inner stance as the Queen was quietly shaken. Perhaps, her sister was right? In the study, Lin Xiao was dealing with some backlogged official business and planning his next steps. Suddenly, a system notification sounded in his mind. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased to 23+6!] Lin Xiao was slightly startled, his pen pausing on the paper. How come the Queen suddenly gained such a high level of favorability? It seemed that today’s inspection had indeed caused quite a stir in her heart. A faint smile spread across his lips. The next morning. Lin Xiao personally escorted Liu Weilan back to the capital. The fur ball was incredibly fast, arriving in just half a day. The palace was still as solemn and majestic as ever, yet it also exuded a lingering sense of decadence. After sending Liu Weilan to the vicinity of her bedroom, Lin Xiao prepared to leave. “Lin Xiao.” Liu Weilan suddenly called him. Lin Xiao turned around and looked at her. Liu Weilan hesitated for a moment, a hint of complexity on her beautiful face, and finally said: “You… treat my sister well.” After all, she was still worried about Liu Ruyan. Hearing this, Lin Xiao smiled and walked slowly towards her. Liu Weilan’s heart tightened and she subconsciously wanted to retreat. Lin Xiao reached out his hand, gently lifted her smooth chin, and forced her to look at him. His tone was full of unquestionable dominance: “I will naturally treat your sister well. But…” He paused, his eyes becoming scorching, “I want you too.” “You!” Liu Weilan was embarrassed and angry, and was about to scold. Lin Xiao suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lips. Liu Weilan was stunned for a moment, her eyes suddenly widened, and her mind went blank. His kiss was so aggressive that she couldn’t resist it, and it also made her feel a strange throbbing. After a brief moment of unconsciousness, she suddenly reacted and pushed Lin Xiao away. “How bold!” Her cheeks flushed, her breath was panting, and there was shame and anger in her eyes. Lin Xiao just chuckled, took out a small porcelain bottle from his arms, and stuffed it into her hand: “This is the anti aging pill. Eat it and you will never age.” After saying that, he did not stay any longer, turned around and left, leaving Liu Weilan standing there alone. Liu Weilan looked at the porcelain bottle in her hand, and thought of the sudden kiss just now, and his words “I want you too”, her cheeks flushed, her heart was filled with shame and anger, and a trace of inexplicable panic. This Lin Xiao is really… too presumptuous! She opened the porcelain bottle and a fresh fragrance filled her nose. She looked at the anti aging pill, her heart in a trance. The remaining touch on her lips seemed not to have completely dissipated, making her feel a shame and strangeness she had never experienced before. Chapter 365: Unusual Movements in the North After returning to Qinglin County from the capital, Lin Xiao’s life returned to its previous rhythm. All affairs in the county are progressing in an orderly manner. The newly laid power grid makes the county city as bright as day at night. The tap water system has also begun to gradually extend to various parts of the city. The lives of the people are changing with each passing day, and their support for Lin Xiao has reached its peak. After Lin Xiao finishes his necessary official duties every day, he will take time to inspect various factories, workshops, and newly built power plants and water plants. On this day, Lin Xiao called core members to a meeting in the meeting hall of the County Magistrate’s Mansion. Li Dequan’s face was flushed with radiance, and he spoke first, “Sir, the people of this county are now at peace, especially with the access to electricity and running water. The people say this is divine work, and their admiration for you is as strong as a surging river. Schools are also opening as planned, and the enrollment rate is very high.” Song Qinghe then reported, “On the economic front, the new currency is circulating smoothly, and Qinglin Bank’s reputation has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The output values of various factories have repeatedly set new highs. Our dyed cloth, glass products, steel, cement, etc. not only meet the needs of the county, but are also exported to several surrounding prefectures and counties. With the smooth flow of trade routes, the county treasury is becoming increasingly full.” Zhang Fuan grinned and said in a loud voice, “Brother Xiao, the steam engine factory has already begun developing smaller steam engines that can adapt to different scenarios according to your instructions. The power plant and hydropower plant are operating stably, and the production capacity of the light bulb factory is also gradually increasing, which can fully meet the lighting needs of the county town. Oh, by the way, the toilets, after trying them, the people all said they were good, and now they are scrambling to get them!” When everyone heard this, they all smiled knowingly. Sun Mingde and Wang Jian also reported on military affairs. The Qinglin Army was well trained, with new firearms and equipment gradually being deployed. Military discipline was strict, and combat effectiveness was steadily improving. The border was stable, with no rogues daring to cause trouble. Lin Xiao listened to everyone’s reports and nodded with satisfaction. “Very good. People’s livelihood is the foundation, industry is the basis, and the military is the shield. Next, we must continue to develop steadily, popularize new technologies as quickly as possible, and enhance overall strength. All projects must ensure both quality and quantity. In terms of education, we must cultivate more practical talents.” Everyone agreed in unison. After the meeting, Lin Xiao’s days became increasingly leisurely. The children’s playground in the backyard of his mansion had become a private space for him and his children. Lin Rui became increasingly playful and active, running around all day. He imitated Lin Xiao, riding on the black panther’s back and commanding the fur ball to circle in the sky, like a little bully. Lin Xin and Lin Youning were much quieter, and could already recognize quite a few words. They often held the simple sketchbooks that Lin Xiao had drawn for them, and read them with great interest. Zhang Chengyu is very calm at a young age. Now he is very interested in various mechanical gadgets and often pesters Lin Xiao and Zhang Fuan with questions. Sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, as well as Sister Lin, Zhang Wanqing, and Aunt Wang, all have happy smiles on their faces as they watch the children laughing and playing every day. Sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu carefully take care of the children’s daily life, and are occasionally pulled by the children to play with them. Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi also often came to keep them company, and the mansion was always filled with warmth and laughter. Nini’s belly gradually became apparent, and Lin Xiao ordered her to rest well at home, but her face always showed the joy and expectation of becoming a new mother. Lin Xiao enjoyed this rare tranquility and warmth. During the day, he played with the children, taught them to read and told them stories. At night, he was affectionate with the women and lived a carefree life. He felt that this was the life he had originally wanted, “a wife, children and a warm bed.” However, the peaceful days did not last long. While Qinglin County was thriving and its people were living and working in peace and contentment, the atmosphere in the imperial palace in the capital, thousands of miles away, was somewhat solemn. A dusty official in a military uniform knelt before the emperor, his voice filled with urgency, “Your Majesty, urgent news from the northern border! In recent months, the tribes of the grasslands have been unusually active. Small groups of cavalry have repeatedly harassed border villages and towns, looting property. According to spies, the tribes appear to be gathering, which could be detrimental to the borders of the Great Zhou!” On the dragon throne, Emperor Li Yan was idly fiddling with an exquisite wooden carving on the table. Upon hearing this, he simply raised his eyelids lazily, with a hint of disdain in his tone: “Oh? Barbarians on the grassland? It’s like this every year, just some minor fights, stealing some food for the winter, nothing to worry about.” The general said anxiously, “Your Majesty, this is unusual! Reports indicate that several larger tribes are showing signs of uniting, and the scale of their military mobilization far exceeds that of previous years. This is definitely not just a looting operation. I implore Your Majesty to take early precautions, deploy additional troops, and strengthen the border defenses to prevent any unforeseen events!” Upon hearing this, Li Yan’s face showed a hint of impatience. He threw the wooden sculpture in his hand aside and scolded, “How powerful can a group of barbarians who eat raw meat and drink blood be? My Great Zhou has hundreds of thousands of cavalrymen. How could we be afraid of them? You border generals, just guard the pass strictly. There is no need to be so alarmist and disrupt the order of the court!” He paused, then continued, “In my opinion, it’s the incompetence of you, the border generals, that allows those barbarians to succeed so repeatedly! If it happens again, I will not let you off lightly!” The general wanted to persuade him again, but was interrupted by Li Yan’s wave of his hand: “Alright, alright, I understand this matter, please leave.” The general was full of worries, but he could do nothing but kowtow and leave. After the general left, Li Yan picked up the wooden sculpture again and looked at it with great interest, as if the urgent military intelligence report just now was just a passing wind. Prime Minister Zhou Mubai, who was standing below, had his gray brows tightly furrowed, his eyes full of worry. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, the northern grassland tribes have always been a constant threat to our Great Zhou. Their people are fierce and their cavalry are valiant. If they unite and march south, they will undoubtedly pose a huge threat to our borders. As an old minister, I believe it is better to believe it than not. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider and make early preparations to ensure the security of our borders and the peace of the world!” Li Yan became impatient and waved his hand, “Lord Zhou, you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Those barbarians are just a mob. How can my army be afraid of them? Besides, the national treasury is not well off right now. How can we afford to send more troops? There’s no need to discuss this matter any further.” After saying this, he stood up and said to the eunuch beside him, “Let’s go and take a look at the new dragon boat model I made.” After saying that, Li Yan stood up and left, leaving the civil and military officials in the court looking at each other in bewilderment. Zhou Mubai looked at the emperor’s receding back, opened his mouth, but in the end it turned into a long sigh. There are powerful enemies surrounding us from outside and a foolish ruler from within. He knew that a storm sweeping across the Great Zhou was probably not far away. Chapter 366: Northern Beacon Fire In Fengyi Palace, Liu Weilan looked at herself in the bronze mirror, feeling a little dazed. That day, when Lin Xiao gave her the anti aging pill before he left, she was skeptical at first, but she didn’t expect the effect after using it to be so amazing. Her skin is so delicate, as if she has returned to her teenage years, and even the almost invisible fine lines at the corners of her eyes have disappeared without a trace. She reached out and gently stroked her cheek, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart. Lin Xiao had actually given her such a magical item so casually. “Your Majesty, you look so good today. You seem several years younger.” The personal maid combed her long hair carefully and praised her sincerely. Liu Weilan smiled faintly and said nothing more. She changed into a simple palace dress, walked to the window, and looked at the gray sky outside the palace wall. She has been feeling a little uneasy these days. “Is His Majesty still… still busy with his carpentry work?” Liu Weilan asked softly. Qiuyue looked embarrassed and whispered, “Your Majesty, His Majesty went to the carpentry workshop this morning and said that he had just acquired a piece of fine golden nanmu wood and wanted to carve it into an ornament himself.” A hint of sadness flashed in Liu Weilan’s eyes. National affairs were difficult, and the border was in turmoil, yet he remained obsessed with this. help but think of Lin Xiao, that man who seemed to always have endless energy to build his territory, to improve people’s livelihood, and even to create something like “electricity” that only gods could have. If Lin Xiao were in Her Majesty’s position… She didn’t dare to think about it anymore. A few days later, news of unrest on the northern border began to trickle into the palace. Initially, it was just a minor incident, and Liu Weilan didn’t take it too seriously. It was not until her personal maid told her that several large tribes in the north seemed to be making unusual movements and officials in the court had reported them to the emperor, but the emperor did not take them seriously. Liu Weilan’s heart sank little by little. She knew Li Yan too well, and she also knew too well the long decayed Great Zhou Dynasty. It was normal for Rick to withhold military pay and for weapons to become outdated, and most of the generals were just sitting there doing nothing but eating and drinking. How could they resist the fierce grassland cavalry? A deep sense of powerlessness washed over him, and the future of the Great Zhou became increasingly bleak. However, within just a dozen days, battle reports flew to the capital like snowflakes. Hundreds of thousands of cavalrymen on the grassland entered the grassland as if they were in an empty land, and successively captured several towns in the northern border of the Great Zhou. The defending army collapsed almost immediately, the remnants of the defeated army fled in all directions, and countless civilians were displaced, their cries and shouts shaking the earth. The once frontier town was now a scorched earth, and blood flowed like a river. When the news reached the capital, the whole city was shocked. Inside the hall, the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed as if water was about to drip out. Emperor Li Yan listened to the Minister of War reading out the latest defeat report in a trembling voice. His handsome face flushed red and he slammed the dragon table, and the memorials on it scattered all over the floor. “Useless! A bunch of useless!” Li Yan was furious. “I support a bunch of you border generals. You brag all the time, but at the critical moment, you can’t even stop a group of barbarians! I will execute your entire family!” Prime Minister Zhou Mubai, standing at the forefront of the officials, frowned. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, calm down. The grassland cavalry are known for their ferocity and formidable force, and are no match for ordinary border troops. The most urgent task is to immediately dispatch elite troops to provide reinforcements. I suggest sending the new army Your Majesty has previously ordered to be assembled north, and immediately allocating food, fodder, and weapons to strengthen the defense line.” After hearing this, Li Yan’s anger subsided a little. He felt that what Zhou Mubai said made some sense. That new army had cost a lot of money to build. He was about to nod when the Minister of Revenue Zhang Deming knelt down with a plop, tears streaming down his face. “Your Majesty! The treasury is empty!” he cried. “Natural disasters have plagued us for the past few years, and tax revenues have plummeted across the country. Disaster relief and river embankment repairs have already drained the treasury. We’ve already done everything we can to raise a new army. Now we need to mobilize troops on a large scale, and also supply food and fodder. I… I simply can’t afford it!” As Zhang Deming spoke, he wiped his tears with his sleeve, his voice mournful, as if every penny in the national treasury was like cutting flesh from his heart. “Nonsense!” Li Yan was furious again. “How could our treasury be out of money? That bastard Cui Ling embezzled so much, didn’t he put it all into the treasury?” Zhang Deming cried even harder. “Your Majesty, please understand! Although that sum of money was substantial, building palaces and filling various shortfalls… there’s very little left! Now, disaster victims across the country are starving, and military pay is in arrears. We’re truly… stretched to the limit!” As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar. “Master Zhang is wrong. How can military and national affairs be delayed because of mere money and food?” The Minister of War immediately retorted. “That’s easy for you to say! You don’t even know how expensive firewood and rice are! Without food and fodder, are you going to let the soldiers go to war on an empty stomach?” An imperial censor immediately retorted. “In my opinion, we should first comfort the victims. If the people are not stable, how can we resist the enemy?” “To resist foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the country! With refugees everywhere, if there is further civil unrest, the consequences will be disastrous!” The ministers were arguing with each other. Some advocated war, some advocated appeasement, and some began to blame each other and shirk responsibility. The court officials who usually hold high positions and great power were now arguing for their own interests, their faces red and their saliva flying, just like a group of shrews in the vegetable market. Zhou Mubai looked at the chaotic scene before him, feeling a deep sense of exhaustion and sadness. The building was about to collapse, and the rats were running rampant. Li Yan was dizzy from the noise, and his already irritable mood due to the defeat became even worse. He slammed the armrest of the dragon throne and shouted, “Enough! Shut up!” The hall suddenly became quiet, and you could hear a pin drop. Li Yan waved his hands irritably, “This matter… this matter will be fully handled by Lord Zhou! I’m exhausted! I’m dismissing this court!” After saying this, without waiting for anyone’s reaction, he stood up and walked away, leaving the entire court looking at each other in bewilderment, as well as a mess and Zhou Mubai who was almost crushed. Zhou Mubai watched the emperor’s hurried departure, his hunched back seeming to bend even further. He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, only endless desolation remained in his eyes. The capital city was in turmoil, but Qinglin County remained a different world. Lin Xiao lay sideways in the large rocking chair, his eyes slightly closed, enjoying this rare leisure time. Not far away, the clear laughter and playful footsteps of several children could be heard on the lawn. Lin Rui and Lin Xin were arguing over a beautiful butterfly. Black Panther and Furball stayed lazily in the corridor, the former occasionally wagging its tail, and the latter flapping its wings from time to time. They were accustomed to the noise of their little masters, and there was even a bit of indulgence in their eyes. The sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu served on the left and right. Yan Jing’s slender fingers gently pressed Lin Xiao’s temples with moderate force, gradually relaxing his tense nerves. Yan Susu peeled a crystal clear grape and carefully brought it to his lips. Lin Xiao opened his mouth and took it in. The cold and sweet juice exploded on the tip of his tongue, refreshing his heart. “Young Master, look, Xiaorui and Xiaoxin are fighting over Black Panther’s tail again. Black Panther is almost annoyed to death by them.” Yan Jing looked at the scene not far away, with a gentle smile on her lips, and said softly. Lin Xiao opened his eyes and saw that the two little guys were each holding one of the black panther’s hind legs, trying to take the big furry tail for themselves. The black panther twisted its body helplessly but never attacked. He couldn’t help but laugh, shook his head, and closed his eyes again. Such a day, even a god wouldn’t trade it for. A few days later, one afternoon, the sun was shining brightly. Lin Xiao was in his study, teaching Lin Rui and Lin Xin how to recognize a few newly learned characters. Li Dequan hurried in, beads of sweat on his forehead. “Brother Lin Xiao, something big has happened!” Li Dequan’s voice was filled with suppressed anxiety. Lin Xiao put down the brush in his hand, looked up at him, and calmly pointed to the chair next to him: “Uncle Dequan, sit down and tell me, what are you so flustered about?” Li Dequan didn’t even bother to wipe the sweat off his face as he spoke urgently, “Urgent news from the northern border! The grassland tribes are assembling a massive army, unstoppable! That Altan Khan, personally leading hundreds of thousands of cavalry, has already broken through several towns in the northern border of Great Zhou! The border troops are practically collapsing at the first blow, suffering heavy casualties, and countless civilians have been displaced. It’s a horrific sight. Back in the capital, the court is in an uproar, and they still haven’t reached a clear decision.” Chapter 367: War Smoke Rising Listening to Li Dequan’s report, Lin Xiao frowned slightly. He pondered for a moment, tapping the table lightly with his fingers, making a regular sound. “Brother Lin Xiao, this… what should we do? The people of the grassland have always been fierce and brutal. They burn, kill, loot and commit all kinds of evil wherever they go. I don’t think I can count on the court. I’m afraid…” Li Dequan’s voice was full of worry. He knew very well the current character of the Great Zhou court. Lin Xiao raised his hand, signaling him to calm down: “Uncle Dequan, there’s no point in panicking.” His voice was calm, yet it held a soothing power. “Pass the order down. Immediately strengthen security throughout the territory, especially along the border with the imperial court. Double the number of scouts, patrol day and night, and closely monitor the war in the north and the route of the grassland army. As for the imperial court, we’ll see how they respond. For now, we’ll wait and see. As for the grassland tribes, we must also find a way to understand their troop deployments, logistical supplies, and other aspects.” He paused, looking out the window with a far reaching gaze. “Also, within the territory, we must appease the people, strictly prohibit the spread of rumors, and prevent the spread of panic. We have sufficient food reserves, and all factories are operating smoothly. There is no need to panic. Even if the sky falls , we have tall people to hold it up. We in Qinglin County are not in dire straits yet.” Li Dequan listened to Lin Xiao’s clear and organized arrangements, and the panic in his heart gradually subsided. He nodded and said, “I understand, Brother Lin Xiao. I’ll arrange it right away.” Looking at Li Dequan’s hurriedly leaving back, Lin Xiao looked out the window. In the north, smoke of war was already rising. He didn’t want to get involved in this dispute too early, but if the war really spread to his doorstep, he wouldn’t sit idly by. Qinglin County’s current strength was not a soft persimmon that could be easily bullied. At the same time, thousands of miles away in the northern part of the Great Zhou, Shuofang City, which was once bustling with business and travel, has now completely become a hell on earth. The gate of the most luxurious prefectural mansion in the city was wide open at this moment. Several guards’ bodies were lying in a mess at the door, and their blood had dyed the bluestone slabs red. Deep inside the mansion, in an exquisite wing originally inhabited by the women, a dozen or so Han women with torn clothes, disheveled hair, and pale faces were shivering and huddled in a cold corner. Their eyes were filled with extreme fear and despair, and the low sobs and chattering teeth were particularly clear in the silent room. Their husbands, fathers, and brothers had all been brutally killed by the swords of these grassland barbarians. In stark contrast to the dead silence and despair here is the lobby just across the wall. The hall was brightly lit, with dozens of large tallow candles illuminating the entire hall as bright as day. The smell of alcohol, meat, blood and a disgusting mutton smell mixed together and filled the air. Altan Khan, the Khan of the grassland, was extremely tall and strong, with a beard as thick as steel needles. He was sitting on the main seat with his upper body naked, revealing his bronze muscles and crisscrossing scars. He grabbed a sizzling, greasy leg of lamb in one hand and took big bites of it, his mouth full of oil. With the other hand, he roughly kneaded a Han girl who was forced to serve him wine. The girl was so frightened that her face turned pale and tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t dare to make a sound. “Hahaha! It feels so good! It feels so good!” Altan Khan threw the almost gnawed sheep bone to the ground, hitting the head of an injured Han official who was trying to crawl away, causing laughter from those around him. He grabbed a jeweled golden cup filled with scarlet wine—plundered from the prefectural treasury—and gulped it down. His voice boomed like a bell: “The cities of the Central Plains are truly as fragile as paper, vulnerable to a single blow! Their men are nothing but worthless cowards!” “The Chanyu is mighty!” “The men of the Great Zhou are not good, but the women are very tender!” A tribal leader with a face full of flesh laughed lewdly, stretched out his hand and grabbed the chest of a woman tied to a pillar, causing the woman to scream in pain. “The Chanyu is right! This is just the beginning!” Another one eyed general raised his glass. “It won’t be long before the entire land of the Great Zhou will be a horse ranch for our grassland warriors! Their women will all be our slaves!” Below the seats, dozens of tribal leaders and generals raised their wine glasses and wine bags, echoing loudly, with bloodthirsty excitement and greed on their faces. At their feet, several abducted Han women were being wantonly ravaged by them like playthings. The women’s wails and helpless pleas for mercy became their entertainment, stimulating their primitive animal nature. Altan Khan looked at his group of ferocious subordinates and nodded with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with the desire to conquer. “When we conquer the Central Plains, you will have all the gold, silver, jewels, beauties, and silks to use as you please! When the time comes, we will feast on the emperor’s throne and drink wine!” “roar!” “Kill them all to the capital!” The deafening roar almost blew the roof of the prefectural government office off. Just as everyone was drinking and singing, and the atmosphere reached its climax, a clear yet heroic female voice suddenly rang out, like an ice spring pouring into boiling oil, instantly quieting the noisy lobby. “Father Khan!” Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young woman wearing tailor made dark red leather armor, with a scimitar inlaid with turquoise hanging from her waist. She outlined a surprisingly slender figure, but also exuded the unique heroic spirit of a grassland woman, walking slowly out from the back of the crowd. She was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with skin the healthy honey color from years of sun exposure, deep and three dimensional facial features, a high nose bridge, and plump lips, giving her a strong exotic charm. Especially a pair of bright eyes, like the brightest stars on the grassland, sparkling with wild light and undisguised ambition. It was Princess Agula, Altan Khan’s favorite and the famous “Flaming Rose” on the grassland. Agula walked straight to the center of the hall, ignoring the greedy glances directed at her. She knelt on one knee before Altan Khan on the high throne. Her voice was clear and firm, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath: “Father Khan, your daughter Agula, upon hearing that the battle on the front lines is going well, is also deeply moved! I, your humble daughter, am willing to be a pioneer, for your father Khan, for our great grassland empire, to cut through the thorns and conquer more cities in the Central Plains!” She raised her head, her delicate chin slightly raised, and her eyes burned with the desire to achieve great things, no less than any male general present. Altan Khan looked at his daughter who looked most like him, with approval and pride in his eyes. He laughed heartily and said, “Good! Good! Good! You are worthy of being the daughter of Altan Khan! You are courageous and bold!” “Your Highness the Princess is unparalleled in her bravery!” “Like father, like daughter! Her Royal Highness will surely make new contributions to our grassland!” The surrounding tribal leaders and generals also spoke in praise. On the grasslands, the strong are respected. Agula, despite being a woman, was skilled in archery and horsemanship, and had great martial arts skills, having long been well known within the tribe. Now that she had volunteered, she had earned the respect of these proud and powerful generals. Seeing this, Altan Khan’s mood brightened even more. With a wave of his hand, he declared with great pride, “Approved! I will allocate three thousand Snow Wolf Riders to you. They will serve under General Huyan Ba. You will accompany him south and show those weaklings from the Central Plains how our daughters of the grasslands shine on the battlefield!” “Thank you, Father Khan, for your help!” Agula was overjoyed, with an irrepressible excitement flashing in his eyes. She stood up swiftly, her eyes sweeping across the generals present with determination, finally landing on a rough general who was pressing a Han woman on the table not far away, pouring wine into her rudely while emitting bursts of wild laughter. That was Huyan Ba, one of the bravest and most brutal generals under his father Khan. Chapter 368: Grassland Atrocity Huyan Ba, who was called out, heard the order from the Chanyu, glanced at the heroic and sharp eyed Princess Agula, smiled, and his eyes were full of desire to achieve great things. He roughly pushed the woman in his arms away. The woman screamed as if she had found a life saving straw, and crawled to the corner, curled up into a ball, and never dared to look up again. Huyan Ba didn’t care at all. He grabbed the huge bronze wine cup beside him and drank the remaining liquor in one gulp. He wiped his greasy beard and said to Altan Khan in a gruff voice, “Don’t worry, Chanyu! With a brave heroine like Princess Agula joining our team, our team will be even more powerful! Those women from the Central Plains will probably wet their pants when they see the princess’s majesty!” His words caused a burst of vulgar laughter from the people around him. Huyan Ba paused, a chilling cruelty and arrogance flashed in his eyes, and he slammed the heavy bronze wine cup onto the floor covered with precious Persian carpets. There was a loud “clang” sound, which made everyone’s eardrums buzz and the noise in the hall quieted down. “Chanyu!” Huyanba suddenly turned to Altan Khan, pounding his solid chest with his palm leaf fan like hands, making a dull thud. Then he knelt on one knee, his voice like thunder rolling across the grasslands. “General Huyanba hereby swears a military order! Three months is not needed! I will definitely capture that damned Great Zhou capital, personally twist off the head of that cowardly emperor, and make a wine bowl out of his skull. I will present it to the Chanyu in his tent to celebrate your victory!” “Well said! Well said!” Upon hearing this, Altan Khan was extremely pleased. He slapped his thigh, stood up, pointed at Huyanba and laughed, “Huyanba, if you can really do this, I will not only reward you with half of the Great Zhou’s treasury, but also give you ten beauties from the emperor’s harem!” “Thank you, Chanyu!” Huyan Ba’s eyes flashed with greed and he kowtowed heavily. “General Huyan is mighty!” “Go to the capital! Take away all their treasures! Sleep with all their women!” “Let the people of the Central Plains know how powerful we grassland warriors are!” The atmosphere in the lobby was completely ignited again. All the grassland generals were excited by Huyan Ba’s bold words and Altan Khan’s generous reward. They raised their wine glasses and weapons and roared like wild beasts, as if the vast territory of the Great Zhou was within their reach and countless wealth and beauties were beckoning to them. Princess Agula stood aside, looking at the group of frenzied men in front of her, her eyebrows slightly frowned. However, the opportunity to personally participate in the battlefield and make achievements was what she valued most at the moment. She wanted to use her scimitar to carve Agula’s name on her journey south. A few days later, the sun was shining brightly in the backyard of Lin Xiao’s mansion. Several half grown children, Lin Xin, Lin Rui, Zhang Chengyu, and Lin Youning, were sitting on wooden ponies, rocking and wobbling, their giggles as clear as silver bells. Lin Xiao sat on a stone bench nearby, holding a piece of dogtail grass in his hand, teasing his youngest daughter Lin Nian from time to time. The little girl babbled and stretched out her chubby little hands to grab it. The scene was warm and peaceful. “Brother Xiao,” a servant came over quickly and said respectfully, “Steward Li Dequan, Master Song Qinghe and others have arrived and are waiting in the front hall.” Lin Xiao handed Lin Nian to the maid next to him. The smile on his face faded a little. He nodded, stood up and walked towards the front hall. In the front hall, core members including Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan, Wang Jian, and Sun Mingde have already gathered. “Everyone, please take a seat.” Lin Xiao sat down at the main seat and got straight to the point. “How is the security situation in various parts of the territory?” Li Dequan was the first to stand up and reply, “Brother Lin Xiao, as per your instructions, we’ve tripled the number of scouts deployed along the border with the imperial court, patrolling day and night, and all the passes have been fortified. Every township and village in the county has also organized militia to patrol the nights, strictly preventing scoundrels from taking advantage of the situation to cause unrest. At the moment, the territory is relatively stable.” Song Qinghe added, “The treasury’s food, fodder, and military supplies have all been re inventoried and are ready for deployment at any time. Production at various factories has also remained unaffected.” Lin Xiao nodded slightly and glanced at everyone: “Is there any latest news from the grassland?” Sun Mingde stood up and spoke in a loud, yet heavy voice, “Your Excellency, the latest intelligence indicates that the grassland tribes are advancing rapidly from north to south. The scout battalion is still fully investigating the movements of their main force and further details of the military situation, but no more definitive information has been received yet.” “Got it.” Lin Xiao tapped the table lightly with his fingers. “Continue to monitor closely and report any signs of trouble immediately. Also, calm the people and strictly prohibit rumors.” “Yes!” everyone answered in unison. At the same time, thousands of miles away in the northern border of the Great Zhou, the land was engulfed in flames and filled with grief. Huyan Ba and Princess Agula, like two of the most ferocious hungry wolves, led the grassland cavalry and galloped freely on the land of the Great Zhou. “Kill! Kill all these Central Plains pigs!” Huyan Ba was shirtless, his bronze skin was covered with dark red blood. Every time he swung the huge scimitar in his hand, a terrified head flew into the air. The army behind him was like real hungry wolves, rushing into one city and village after another. Houses were set on fire and thick smoke billowed, blocking out the sky. Men had their heads chopped off and hung on saddles for display; women were raped at will, and if they disobeyed, they would be killed. Princess Agula was wearing dark red leather armor, holding a scimitar, and riding a majestic black warhorse. Her bravery was no less than that of any man on the grassland. The 3,000 Snow Wolf Riders she led were often the vanguard in attacking cities and capturing strongholds. She relished the thrill of conquest, and the weakness of the Central Plains people only strengthened her belief in the might of the grasslands. “Anyone who stands in my way will die!” Agula chopped down a defender who tried to resist with a knife. A few drops of warm blood splashed on her delicate face, but she didn’t care. Instead, she licked her lips, and her eyes flashed with excitement. In just over a month, the three counties in the northern border were all occupied. Countless people were displaced and fled south. Zhao Wu was one of the fleeing army. He was originally an ordinary farmer in a small village in Shuofang County. His parents were hardworking and he had a smart and lovely sister. Although his life was hard, it was relatively stable. However, the nightmare came one evening. The overwhelming number of grassland cavalry rushed into their village like a swarm of locusts. Zhao Wu will never forget that scene. In order to protect him and his sister, his father was stabbed by several scimitars, and his mother was dragged by a fleshy faced grassland soldier, and her desperate cries pierced his eardrums. He pulled his sister Zhao Xiaocao and ran out of the village desperately. In the chaos, he and Xiaocao were separated. “Xiao Cao! Xiao Cao!” Zhao Wu shouted at the top of his lungs, but the only responses he got were sporadic screams from afar and the sound of horses’ hooves getting closer and closer. He was swept up by the crowd and fled aimlessly southward. Along the way, he saw too many human tragedies. Burned villages, dead bodies lying in the fields, and the elderly, weak, women and children abandoned on the roadside. The brutality of the grassland people far exceeded his imagination. They were not just trying to rob property, but also seemed to enjoy the pleasure of killing. He saw with his own eyes that a prairie cavalryman, because he was annoyed by a child’s incessant crying, actually picked up the child and threw him to the ground. He had also seen a girl of the same age as his sister being roughly dragged by her hair by grassland soldiers, crying and calling for her mother. These grassland people are simply evil spirits crawling out of hell! Zhao Wu’s heart was filled with endless hatred and despair. He didn’t know where his sister was now, or whether she was alive or dead. He only knew that he had to survive, find his sister, and then… take revenge! Chapter 369: Dispatching New Troops In the capital, inside the Golden Palace, morning court session. “Report! Your Majesty! Urgent military information from the northern border, eight hundred miles away!” A blood soaked messenger, his armor torn, was dragged in, stumbling. He collapsed to the ground upon entering the hall, his voice hoarse and filled with endless fear: “Your Majesty… Shuofang County… Shuofang County has fallen! The defending commander, General Zhang Jing… died in battle! The steppe barbarians… have been slaughtering the city for three days after breaking through. The city… is flowing like a river of blood!” As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court was in an uproar. Shuofang Commandery is an important town in the north, and Zhang Jing is a veteran general, yet… he is so vulnerable? Li Yan suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, his face instantly turning livid. He rushed to the messenger and grabbed him by the collar: “What did you say?! Shuofang County was lost? Zhang Jing died? Where are the tens of thousands of defenders? What are they doing?” The messenger was so shaken by him that tears streamed down his face. “Your Majesty… the steppe cavalry… are too fierce! They move like the wind, and their riding and archery skills are superb. Our infantry can’t withstand them at all! They… are like a pack of wolves. Once they charge, they scatter, and once they scatter, they’re… finished!” “Waste! All of you are waste!” Li Yan threw the messenger aside, his chest heaving violently. He pointed at His Highness and his ministers and roared, “I support you! I support an army of hundreds of thousands! It costs countless money and food every year! And what’s the result? You can’t even stop a mere barbarian from the grassland! You have completely disgraced me!” At this time, another messenger stumbled into the hall, bringing news that made the situation even worse. “Your Majesty! Yunzhong County is in danger! Yanmen County is in danger! The grassland tribes are divided into several groups and are attacking fiercely. Our army… our army is being defeated! The three counties in the northern border have almost fallen! The soldiers are fleeing like waves, and the people are displaced. It’s a horrible sight!” “What?!” Li Yan’s eyes went dark and he almost fell down. The three counties in the northern border were almost completely lost? How…how long has it been?! “Are those defenders all pigs?! Don’t they know how to fight back when the enemy attacks?! Are their swords and guns just decorations?!” Li Yan was so angry that he was shaking all over. He grabbed the paperweight on the imperial desk and smashed it hard on the gold bricks, making a loud and sharp noise. “Your Majesty, please calm down!” All the ministers knelt down and remained silent. Zhou Mubai stood at the head of the officials, his face pale as paper. He had long anticipated this day, but he hadn’t expected it to come so quickly or so horribly. The imperial army’s decline hadn’t been a one day affair. Li Yan panted heavily, his eyes swept over His Highness, and finally landed on Zhou Mubai. His tone was filled with hysteria: “Prime Minister! Tell me! What is going on?! Why has the army of our Great Zhou become so vulnerable?!” Zhou Mubai felt bitter, but he had to step out and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, the grassland cavalry has always been valiant and fierce. Our border troops… have long been out of combat, their preparations are in disrepair, their generals are corrupt, and their soldiers are lazy… This is not a one day mistake. Now that a powerful enemy is approaching, our survival is truly at stake.” “Life is at stake?!” Li Yan screamed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “My Great Zhou has a long and lasting dynasty. How could it be shaken by a mere barbarian? You’re just exaggerating!” He took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down, but the panic in his eyes was hard to hide. After all, he was not a fool and knew the seriousness of the situation. “I don’t care what the reason is!” Li Yan swung his sleeves and shouted sternly, “Zhou Mubai! I order you to mobilize your troops immediately! Make sure you stop those grassland barbarians for me! Drive them out! If we lose land again, I will hold you accountable!” He casually threw this huge burden to Zhou Mubai. Zhou Mubai felt a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart. He bowed deeply and said, “Your Majesty… obeys your command.” After Li Yan angrily announced his withdrawal from court and left, Zhou Mubai still stood in the Golden Palace for a long time. Most of the ministers were dejected, whispering to each other and discussing how to protect themselves, but few of them really wanted to share the country’s worries. “Alas…” Zhou Mubai sighed, his hunched body looking even older. He returned to the prime minister’s residence and immediately summoned relevant officials from the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue and other departments to discuss the matter. “The northern border defense line has collapsed. We must immediately organize a second line of defense.” Zhou Mubai’s voice was hoarse and tired. “It’s hard to count on the troops from various places to support the emperor anytime soon. Now, we have no choice but to mobilize the new army in the capital.” The Minister of War expressed his unease. “Sir, that new army… although it has been trained for a long time and at great expense, it has never actually seen combat. Its combat effectiveness is still unknown. To resist the grassland cavalry, I’m afraid…” A flicker of determination flashed in Zhou Mubai’s eyes. “There’s no other way now! This new army was specially approved by His Majesty. It follows some of the principles of Lin Xiao’s military training methods, combined with the actual conditions of our Great Zhou. Their salaries and equipment are given priority, and most of the soldiers are from good families, and they train diligently in their daily lives. If we can’t even stop them, our Great Zhou… is in danger!” He paused, then continued, “Send the order down. Command the new army commander, Zhang Hao, to immediately muster his troops, bring sufficient food and weapons, and march north immediately. Be sure to deploy defenses along the Qishan line to delay the enemy’s southward advance!” “But sir, the Ministry of Revenue…” the Minister of Revenue said with a bitter face, “The national treasury has long been empty. Now we need to supply the new army with food, fodder, and weapons for the expedition. It’s really…stretched!” Zhou Mubai slammed the table, a terrifying light flashing in his murky yellow eyes. “The treasury is empty? Then let’s ‘borrow’ from the homes of you nobles and officials! In times of national crisis, anyone who dares to be stingy is an enemy of the nation! This is all I have to say! The Ministry of War will draft an order immediately, and the Ministry of Revenue will make every effort to raise funds! Any delay will be punished by military law!” Everyone was intimidated by his aura and dared not say anything more. Soon, the new army camp outside the capital began to get busy. Compared with other corrupt armies of the Great Zhou, this new army does have a fresh look. Most of the soldiers were young and strong. Although the armor they wore was not top notch, it was sturdy and polished to a shine. The spears in their hands flashed with cold light, and the swords at their waists were also extraordinary. Between the ranks, one can faintly see some traces of training that is different from the traditional Great Zhou army, which emphasizes coordination and discipline. Their eyes were less slick and numb than those of veteran soldiers, and more full of the vigor and thirst for military merit of young people. This is a truly combat capable army that Zhou Mubai has put a lot of effort into trying to build. Commander Zhang Hao, a descendant of a military family, was a capable man and was quite interested in this new army. Upon receiving the order, he was filled with pride and high spirits and immediately began to prepare for battle. Chapter 370: Thunderous Fury Lin Xiao’s residence, meeting room. Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan, Wang Jian, Sun Mingde and other core members were all present, all with serious expressions. Lin Xiao sat upright in the main seat, tapping the table lightly with his fingers from time to time. His eyes were calm, yet with a barely perceptible chill. “Tell us about the latest developments of the grassland barbarians.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it cheered up everyone present. Sun Mingde stood up, his face livid, his voice hoarse from suppressed anger: “Your Excellency, the latest news from the scout camp is… appalling!” He took out a secret report from his pocket and handed it over with both hands. Lin Xiao took it and unfolded it for a closer look. The secret report recorded in detail the atrocities committed by the grassland tribes since their invasion of the south. After the fall of Shuofang County, Altan Khan allowed his soldiers to massacre the city for three days. Few people, young or old, were left alive in the city, and the streets were dyed red with blood. Yunzhong County and Yanmen County were also brutally ravaged. Villages were burned down, young and strong men were slaughtered at will, their heads were cut off and hung on saddles for show, women and children were abducted and humiliated, and those who disobeyed were tortured and killed. Wherever the steppe cavalry passed, the fertile fields turned to scorched earth and the houses were reduced to ruins, a true hell on earth. Their speed of advancement was alarming, and they seemed poised to sweep across the entire north. The hall was dead silent, with only the rustling of papers and the increasingly heavy breathing of the crowd. Wang Jian slammed his fist on the table in front of him, making a dull “bang” sound, and the teacups on the table jumped up. His eyes were red and his teeth were grinding. “These bastards!” Li Dequan, an old man who had seen a lot of hardships, was so angry that he was shaking all over, his lips trembling, and he couldn’t speak for a long time, his eyes full of grief and indignation. Song Qinghe’s face turned pale as he said in a deep voice, “This kind of atrocity is unprecedented! It’s simply horrifying!” Zhang Fuan, who was usually honest and simple, couldn’t help but curse at this moment: “These damn people! They are worse than animals!” After reading the secret report, Lin Xiao’s face turned gloomy. “Brother Xiao!” Sun Mingde suddenly knelt on one knee, his voice as loud as a bell, “I beg for battle! Brother Xiao, please send your troops immediately to the north to strike hard at these grassland barbarians! Avenge the people of our Great Zhou who died in vain!” “I second the motion!” Wang Jian also took a step forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a resounding voice, “Brother Xiao, these barbarians must be killed to appease the people’s anger! If we don’t exterminate them completely, it will be against the will of heaven!” Song Qinghe frowned, stepped forward, and bowed to Lin Xiao. “Brother Lin Xiao, the grassland tribes are ambitious and the imperial court’s northern border is in tatters. We can’t rely on them. If we sit back and do nothing, we’ll be in dire straits. Once they completely annex the north and stabilize their position, their next target will probably be Qinglin County. We can’t afford to let them become a threat and wait for them to die!” Li Dequan also stood up tremblingly, his voice choked with sobs, “Master Song is absolutely right. Such atrocities are intolerable to Heaven . Now that we have the power, we must seek justice for this world and for the people!” Lin Xiao slowly raised his hand and signaled everyone to be quiet. He scanned the angry faces and finally said, “Bring me the map.” The guards immediately brought out a huge military map and unfolded it before everyone. The map detailed the mountains, rivers, cities, and passes. Lin Xiao walked to the map, pointed his finger at the location of Qinglin County, and then slowly moved north. “The main force of the grasslands is now wreaking havoc in the three northern frontier counties.” Lin Xiao’s finger stopped between the three northern frontier counties and Qinglin County, “Between us and them, there are also Beiping County and Shanggu County. He raised his head and looked at everyone: “We must fight, of course. These beasts must die, every single one. But we can’t just charge up and fight them head on now.” Everyone was a little puzzled and looked at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao’s lips curled up in a cold arc. “The imperial court is rotten to the core. Expecting them to stop the barbarians from the grasslands is nothing but wishful thinking. The people of Beiping and Shanggu counties must be in panic and order has collapsed. What we need to do is to take these two counties into our possession first.” He paused, then explained, “First, the people of these two counties are deeply threatened by war. Our army’s advance will save them from danger and win their hearts. Second, by taking these two counties, our territory will expand, our population and resources will be replenished, and our strength will be further enhanced. Third, and most importantly, these two counties will serve as our frontline positions and strategic buffer against the grassland barbarians. We can calmly deploy our forces, choose the most advantageous battlefield, and bury those beasts once and for all!” When everyone heard this, they were stunned at first, and then their eyes lit up. Song Qinghe clapped his hands and praised, “Brother Lin Xiao, this is a brilliant idea! This way, we can take the initiative and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out!” Li Dequan nodded repeatedly: “First stabilize ourselves, then try to annihilate the enemy, this is the perfect strategy!” Lin Xiao looked at the map again, his eyes gleaming fiercely. “The atrocities committed by the grassland people are abhorrent to both humans and gods. We must not only fight them, but also make them know who is the true master of this land!” He took a deep breath and began to give instructions: “Wang Jian, Sun Mingde!” “I am here!” the two of them answered in unison. “Immediately, the Qinglin Army enters a level one combat readiness state! All soldiers cancel their leave and return to camp for training! Check all weapons and equipment, including artillery, muskets, and ammunition, and ensure they are adequate! The scout battalion is mobilized at full capacity to ascertain the troop deployments and official positions in all cities in Beiping and Shanggu counties, as well as the latest movements of the grassland barbarians. I want to know the location of every small unit they have!” “Yes, sir!” Wang Jian and Sun Mingde’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit. “Song Qinghe!” “I’m here!” “Immediately begin the preparations for the allocation of food, fodder, weapons, and medicine to ensure six months’ worth of expenses for the army! At the same time, select capable officials to form a reception team. Once we capture the two counties, we must restore order and appease the people as quickly as possible. Our policies must be implemented immediately!” “I understand!” Song Qinghe bowed and accepted the order. “Uncle Li Dequan!” “Brother Lin Xiao, I’m here.” “The stability of the territory will be left to Uncle Dequan. Comfort the people and prevent rumors.” “Brother Lin Xiao, don’t worry, I will definitely get it done!” Li Dequan said solemnly. “Zhang Fuan!” “Brother Xiao, I’m here!” “Arsenals, steel mills, and all military related factories, immediately begin full production! Artillery shells, bullets, and new steel, use as much as you can!” “Okay! Brother Xiao, just wait and see!” Zhang Fuan patted his chest and promised. Lin Xiao swept his gaze over the crowd again, his tone firm and resolute: “The imperial court is incompetent, but the people of the world can’t wait any longer! This time, we will let those grassland barbarians know that anyone who invades our territory will be punished, no matter how far away they are!” “Let’s get ready!” “yes!” Chapter 371 Arrogant soldiers All affairs in Qinglin County were running in an orderly manner under Lin Xiao’s instructions. The tense atmosphere of war preparedness permeated the military camps and factories, but the lives of the people in the county town remained stable. After Lin Xiao finishes handling military and political affairs during the day, he will take time to spend time with the children. As the night deepened, the mansion, which had been bustling all day, gradually quieted down. The children were already fast asleep. The light in Lin Xiao’s study was bright and soft. After he finished processing the last batch of intelligence about Beiping and Shanggu counties, he rubbed his brows, stood up and went to the backyard. Moonlight streamed across the courtyard like water. Liu Ruyan was still awake, sitting alone on a stone bench, gazing at the moon in the sky, a faint trace of sadness between her brows . “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” Lin Xiao walked over, sat down beside her, and gently held her hand. Liu Ruyan trembled slightly, turned her head, and said softly with a flickering look in her eyes, “Sir, I’m a little worried about my sister.” The war in the north was so fierce and the court was in chaos. She was really worried about Liu Weilan who was far away in the palace. Lin Xiao gently stroked the woman’s hand, “Don’t worry, the capital is still far away from the northern border, and the war won’t reach there for a while.” He paused, looking into Liu Ruyan’s worried eyes, and added, “I’ll also send people to keep an eye on the situation in the capital. If anything unexpected happens, I’ll definitely protect her.” His voice was calm and powerful, with a convincing force. “Thank you, sir.” Liu Ruyan raised her head, her eyes a little moist, and stared at Lin Xiao. Under the light, his handsome face looked particularly reliable. She couldn’t help but move closer and kiss him lightly on the lips. Liu Ruyan’s Favorability: 54+3 Lin Xiao smiled slightly and took her into his arms. At Qishan, Zhang Hao, commander of the new army, began constructing a defensive line. The main force of the grassland tribes’ cavalry was still wreaking havoc in the northern regions, while those heading south were mostly small groups of cavalry and marauding bands. When the new army arrived, they encountered several groups of grassland soldiers, each numbering about a hundred. These grassland soldiers were used to burning, killing, and looting, and they did not take the Southern Dynasty army wearing brand new armor seriously, and rushed forward with a roar. Zhang Hao, who was in charge of the central army, sneered at the scene and said, “How dare a mere barbarian be so arrogant!” He commanded with confidence, ordering the archers in the front to shoot arrows, and the infantry on both sides formed a formation and slowly pressed forward. Although the new army soldiers were a little nervous when they first went to the battlefield, they obeyed the orders under the scolding of the officers and their desire for military merit. Arrows rained down, and the scattered soldiers from the grassland were caught off guard, with dozens of them falling. Immediately afterwards, the new army infantry’s spear formation advanced like a wall. The grassland cavalry charged several times, but their horses bumped into the spears, and they fell off their horses and men, and could not gain any advantage. After several rounds of fighting, these scattered grassland soldiers suffered heavy losses. Seeing that the situation was not good, they turned their horses and fled with strange cries. “Hahaha! The general is so powerful!” The deputy generals came forward to compliment him. “Don’t chase a desperate enemy!” Zhang Hao waved his hand, his face full of pride. “Pass the order down, whoever captures the enemy’s head will be rewarded!” There was jubilation in the army. In the next few days, the new army fought against several small grassland troops and won every battle. Although the gains were not great, it was a great encouragement to the new army who had long heard of the ferocious reputation of the grassland cavalry. “Hahahaha!” Inside the central army tent, Zhang Hao laughed heartily as he read the battle report. “Those grassland barbarians? I think they’re nothing more than that! A bunch of rabble, no match for the elite troops of the Great Zhou!” Several deputy generals around him also flattered him: “The general is a master of war. What are these mere barbarians worth mentioning?” “Yes, in my opinion, it won’t be long before the general can defeat the enemy and present Altan Khan’s head to Your Majesty!” Zhang Hao was flattered. He picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. “Pass the order down, all troops on alert. When I find the right opportunity, I will teach those barbarians a lesson! Let them know who is the master of this land!” In the northern part of the Great Zhou, inside Altan Khan’s Golden Tent. The atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe. Altan Khan sat on a throne covered with tiger skin, his face so gloomy that water could drip out of it. Below, more than a dozen tribal leaders and brave generals stood with their hands hanging down, silent as a mouse. “Useless! A bunch of useless!” Altan Khan slammed his hand on the table and roared, “Even several troops heading south to raid the valleys were wiped out! And you let the fledglings of the Southern Dynasty gain a foothold in Qishan! How do you do things?” A centurion knelt tremblingly, “Great Khan, calm down… That Southern Dynasty army… seems different from the previous ones. They are well equipped, and their formations are somewhat organized…” “Different?” Altan Khan laughed in anger. “No matter how different they are, they’re still a bunch of two legged sheep! Huyan Ba, didn’t you say you’d remove the Southern Dynasty emperor’s head within three months? And now we haven’t even completely cleared a small border crossing!” Hu Yanba’s face froze when his name was called. He stepped out of the line and said, “Khan, this general…” At this moment, a clear yet proud female voice rang out: “Father Khan! Your daughter invites you to fight!” Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Princess Agula standing out from the crowd. Agula has an upright posture and eyes as sharp as an eagle. She does not have the delicateness of an ordinary girl. Instead, she exudes the boldness and wildness unique to children of the grassland. “Oh? Agula, what do you have to say?” Altan Khan’s expression eased a little when he saw his daughter. A confident smile appeared on Agula’s lips, and she looked heroic: “Father Khan, I am willing to sign a military order. Within seven days, I will present Zhang Hao’s head to you! Avenge the shame of my grassland warriors!” She drew out her scimitar with a clang, touched the ground with the tip of the knife, and signed a military order. “Good!” Altan Khan was delighted, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. “As expected of my daughter, Altan! You’re so brave!” There was also a commotion among the generals below, and many young generals looked at Agula with eyes full of admiration and love. “Alright! I will assign three thousand of my most elite ‘Canglang Iron Cavalry’ to you! You will lead them personally! Remember your military orders. If you fail to capture Zhang Hao, you will be beheaded!” “Thank you, Father Khan!” Agula’s eyes flashed with excitement, and she clasped her fists together. “I will use Zhang Hao’s head as a wine glass for Father Khan!” She stood up, turned around and glanced at the generals in the tent, then strode out of the golden tent. The sunlight outside the tent shone on her, as if coating her with a layer of golden glow, making her look even more heroic. Chapter 372 Ambush Qishan Defense Line, New Army Camp. Several small victories in recent days have filled the entire new army camp with a light hearted and even somewhat arrogant atmosphere. At this moment, Zhang Hao was leading the main force, advancing northward in a mighty manner, intending to take the initiative to attack, seek to annihilate the main force of the grassland, and achieve an unprecedented achievement. “General, the Forget Your Sorrow Valley is ahead and the terrain is dangerous. Should we send scouts to explore it first?” the deputy general reminded cautiously. Zhang Hao, riding high on his horse, sneered at the words, “Just a few barbarians, how dare they set an ambush here? My army is here, they can’t escape! Pass the order, speed through, don’t delay the opportunity to pursue the enemy!” The army filed into the long and narrow Wangyou Valley, where the mountains on both sides were steep and the forests were dense. Just when most of the new army entered the valley and the team was stretched to a very long length, something strange happened! “Swish, swish, swish—!” A shrill sound of arrows piercing the air suddenly rang out, and from the forests on both sides, countless arrows came pouring in like a swarm of locusts! The soldiers of the new army were caught off guard and were thrown to the ground, screams echoing one after another. “There’s an ambush! There’s an ambush!” “Hold steady! Form a formation! Form a formation!” Zhang Hao’s face changed drastically. He never thought that these grassland people, who he thought were vulnerable, would actually dare to set an ambush here. He shouted sternly, trying to steady his position. However, although the new troops had practiced battle formations, they were new to the battlefield and had already been thrown into disarray by such a sudden attack. “kill !” Deafening cries of killing echoed simultaneously from the valley’s entrance and back. Like tigers unleashed from their cages, the dark masses of grassland cavalrymen, stirring up clouds of dust, attacked from both sides. Their sabers flashed with a bloodthirsty gleam in the sunlight, and their faces wore ferocious grins . The lead rider was particularly eye catching. She was a woman, clad in dark red leather armor that highlighted her stunningly slender figure. She rode a majestic black warhorse and wielded a turquoise studded scimitar, dancing with it like the wind. Every time she swung it, a soldier of the New Army screamed and fell to the ground. Her movements were swift and deadly, like a flash of red lightning in the midst of the chaos, invincible. It’s Princess Agula! The Gray Wolf Cavalry she led were Altan Khan’s most elite troops. Each of them was fearless, skilled in horsemanship, and ruthless in swordsmanship. Like a sharp wedge, they drove fiercely into the chaotic formation of the new army. “Hold on! Hold on for me!” Zhang Hao’s eyes were bloodshot, he drew his sword and gave orders at the top of his lungs. However, the new army’s resistance seemed utterly powerless in the face of the ferocious steppe cavalry. Before their spear formations could even form, they were shattered. The archers had barely fired a few volleys when the close range steppe cavalry slaughtered them like melons and vegetables. Agula took the lead. Her scimitar seemed to have magic, and she could always chop it from the most tricky angles. A captain of the new army waved a big knife and tried to stop him. Agula sneered and nimbly moved his body to the side on the horse’s back to avoid the blade. He swung the scimitar in his hand, and a stream of blood spurted out from the captain’s neck. He fell down with his eyes wide open and unwillingly. Zhang Hao watched the situation take a turn for the worse, feeling both shocked and furious. What he had initially thought of as a “rabble” had now transformed into hungry wolves ready to devour anyone they could find. “Hold on! Hold on! Reinforcements! Where are the reinforcements?!” Zhang Hao roared, but found that there were not many personal soldiers around him. Agula noticed Zhang Hao’s flag, a cruel arc appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he spurred his horse and rushed towards him. “Don’t run away, you bastard!” Zhang Hao saw this and rushed forward with his sword. After all, he was a descendant of a military family and had some martial arts skills. The two horses met, swords collided, and sparks flew. Zhang Hao only felt a huge force coming from the opponent’s scimitar, which made his palm numb and he almost couldn’t hold the weapon. He was horrified. How could this woman be so strong? A trace of disdain flashed in Agula’s eyes. With a flip of his wrist, the scimitar slashed towards Zhang Hao’s throat at a tricky angle. Zhang Hao hurriedly dodged to the side, but the blade still cut his cheek, leaving a bloody mark. “General, be careful!” Several personal soldiers rushed forward to protect their master, but were instantly overwhelmed by the Canglang Iron Cavalry behind Agula. Agula’s attack became more and more fierce, and each blow went straight to the vital point. Zhang Hao was caught in a dilemma and looked very embarrassed. He finally realized that his previous small victory was just a trick by the opponent to lure the enemy, and he had become the stupid fish that walked into the trap. “Puff!” Agula seized an opportunity and stabbed out with his scimitar like a poisonous snake, accurately piercing Zhang Hao’s chest. Zhang Hao lowered his head in disbelief, looking at the tip of the knife that pierced his armor, blood gushing out of his mouth. “I… am unwilling to accept this…” he muttered, falling off the horse, his eyes quickly dimming. “The General is dead! The General is dead!” The commander was killed, and the new army collapsed completely. The soldiers abandoned their armor and weapons and fled in all directions, but where could they escape to in this narrow valley? The steppe cavalry, like wolves chasing their prey, cut down the fleeing soldiers with reckless abandon. Blood dyed the land of Wangyou Valley red, and screams, wails, and the sound of weapons clashing resounded throughout the valley. In the mountains not far away, a ragged young man was covering his mouth tightly, trembling all over, his eyes filled with horror and endless hatred. He was Zhao Wu, who had fled here. He had wanted to see if the imperial army could withstand those demons, but he had not expected to see such a tragic scene. The imperial court’s “elite” new army was as vulnerable as lambs in front of those grassland people. That female general was even more ferocious, like a female devil! Zhao Wu looked at the Shura like scene in the valley, and his stomach churned. He didn’t dare to look anymore. He quietly bent his body, retreated little by little, and continued his escape to the south. The battle was over quickly. Corpses littered the Forgetful Valley, blood flowing like a river. Tens of thousands of new troops were nearly annihilated. Agula reined in his horse, looked at the corpses all over the ground, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. She took off her heavy helmet, revealing a face stained with blood but still breathtakingly beautiful. Her honey colored skin, deep facial features, high nose bridge, and plump lips add a touch of enchanting charm in the afterglow of the setting sun. Her long, shiny black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, forming a sharp contrast with the dark red leather armor on her body. “The princess is mighty!” “Princess Agula is unrivaled in the world!” The surviving grassland soldiers burst into thunderous cheers, and their eyes were filled with fanatical admiration and love when they looked at Agula. On the grassland, the strong are respected. Agula won everyone’s respect with her bravery and military exploits. Agula raised the blood drenched scimitar in his hand, and his voice spread throughout the valley: “Cut off Zhang Hao’s head and show it to the three armies!” “roar!” The grassland soldiers roared with excitement. This great victory completely ignited the fierceness of the grassland tribes, making them even more arrogant and brutal. In the days that followed, the grassland army advanced unstoppably, capturing more than twenty cities in a row, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities along the way. Countless wealth was plundered, countless people were slaughtered, and countless women were abducted as slaves. Mountains of spoils and crying slaves and women were sent to the northern grasslands in an endless stream. The entire northern part of the Great Zhou was shrouded in the terror of blood and fire. The target of the grassland army was clearly the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty! Chapter 373: The King’s Heart is in Chaos Capital city, Golden Palace. “Report! Your Majesty! Urgent news from the North… From the Forget Your Worries Valley in the North!” Another messenger, even more miserable than when Shuofang County fell, was practically dragged into the palace, his body covered in blood, his voice trembling incoherently: “The new army… the new army was ambushed by the main force of the grassland in Wangyou Valley… They were… completely wiped out! General Zhang Hao… died in battle!” “boom!” As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Golden Palace was like a boiling frying pan. If the previous loss of Shuofang County, Yunzhong County and Yanmen County only shocked the court officials, then the complete annihilation of the new army was like a heavy hammer that hit everyone’s heart hard. That’s the new army of the capital! It’s the last resort of the Great Zhou court! “What did you say?!” Li Yan suddenly jumped up from the dragon throne, his face pale, without a trace of blood. He rushed down the imperial steps and grabbed the messenger’s coat and armor, his fingers turning white from the force. “Say it again! What happened to the new army? Where’s Zhang Hao?!” The messenger cried, “Your Majesty… the grassland cavalry is too… too fierce! They rushed out from the valleys on both sides, tens of thousands of cavalry… We… we can’t stop them at all… General Zhang… he was killed by a female general…” “Female general?” Li Yan’s head buzzed, and he staggered back a few steps, almost falling down. His lips trembled as his eyes swept over the prince’s ministers who were silent as a mouse. His original anger was now replaced by great fear . “How could this happen… How could this happen…” He paced the imperial steps in despair, like a trapped beast. “The grassland barbarians… The grassland barbarians are so fierce? My new army… My Zhang Hao…” He suddenly stopped and looked at Zhou Mubai, his voice pleading: “Prime Minister! My dear! Tell me, what should I do now? Ah? Find a solution quickly!” Zhou Mubai’s hunched figure looked even thinner beneath his court robes. He slowly stepped out of the ranks, his voice hoarse and heavy, “Your Majesty, the main force of the new army has been lost. General Zhang Hao died for his country. The battle of Wangyou Valley has severely damaged the vitality of our Great Zhou.” He paused, as if exhausting all his strength, before continuing, “Right now, the grassland barbarians are at their peak, unstoppable. The court… the court no longer has any troops available to confront them head on.” “There are no soldiers available?” Li Yan screamed. “What about the princes of various places? Where are their troops? Send them to the throne! Send them to the throne immediately!” Zhou Mubai shook his head bitterly, “Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. Besides, given the current situation, it’s still unclear whether the princes of various regions are truly loyal to the emperor.” He raised his head, a flicker of determination in his cloudy eyes: “Your Majesty, at this point, if we want to preserve the Great Zhou, I believe there are only two ways to go.” “What road? Tell me quickly!” Li Yan seemed to have grabbed a life saving straw. “First,” Zhou Mubai said in a low voice, “ask for help from Lin Xiao, promising him great rewards and asking him to send troops to fight against the grasslands together. Lin Xiao’s training methods are far superior to ours. His soldiers are well equipped and powerful. If he is willing to help, there may be a glimmer of hope.” “Lin Xiao?!” Li Yan jumped up as if stung by a scorpion, pointing at Zhou Mubai and shouting angrily, “You want me to beg that peasant? Who the hell is he? How dare he negotiate with me?!” Zhou Mubai lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty, Lin Xiao now controls several counties and boasts a strong army. The firearms in his army are far superior to ours. Without these weapons, our army would be doomed to die facing the grassland cavalry.” Li Yan’s chest heaved violently, and he was obviously very angry. Zhou Mubai continued, “Secondly, if His Majesty is unwilling… then we can only… move the capital. Temporarily avoid the limelight and move to Jiangnan, and then make plans for the future.” “Move the capital?!” Li Yan was furious. “Do you want me to be the king of a fallen nation?! How can we give up our ancestors’ legacy so easily?! Absurd! Absurd!” He pointed at Zhou Mubai, shaking with anger. “What’s the point of me keeping you! You can’t even come up with a good idea! Get out! Get out! Leave me alone!” Li Yan swung his sleeves in frustration and roared, “Dismiss the court! Dismiss the court!” After saying that, he rushed to the back hall without looking back, leaving the civil and military officials in the court looking at each other in bewilderment, and Zhou Mubai sighed in a way that was almost unheard. Fengyi Palace. As Liu Weilan listened to the news that the palace maid Qiuyue had inquired about from the previous dynasty, the teacup in her hand fell to the ground with a clang and shattered into pieces. “The new army… was completely wiped out? Zhang Hao is dead too?” Her face was pale, and her beautiful eyes were full of horror and disbelief. Although she had never seen the new army in person, she knew it was the court’s last hope. If even this army was defeated so thoroughly, then the Great Zhou… Qiuyue also looked worried: “Your Majesty, yes. I heard that the Prime Minister proposed in the court…proposed asking Lin Xiao for help, or…or moving the capital.” “Lin Xiao…” Liu Weilan muttered to herself. Her mind involuntarily emerged the army she saw in Qinglin County, which was in great shape and had weapons far beyond its time. She saw the concrete roads, towering chimneys, and Lin Xiao’s confident and calm appearance. If there is anyone in this world who can stop the iron hoofs of the grassland people, I’m afraid it is only him. However, with Li Yan’s personality… “And His Majesty?” “Your Majesty… His Majesty was furious and rebuked both proposals, saying that he would never bow to Lin Xiao and would never move the capital.” Qiuyue answered cautiously. Liu Weilan took a deep breath, her eyes gradually becoming firm: “Qiuyue, prepare the carriage, I want to see His Majesty.” The emperor’s carpentry workshop was still filled with the smell of sawdust and paint. Li Yan was holding a carving knife and carving fiercely on a piece of fine golden nanmu wood, as if he wanted to vent all his fear and irritability on this piece of wood. Liu Weilan walked in and frowned slightly when she saw him like this. “Your Majesty,” she called softly. Li Yan didn’t even raise his head, just said “hmm”, and there was no intention of stopping the carving knife in his hand. Liu Weilan walked to his side, feeling powerless. “Your Majesty, I have heard about the events of the previous dynasty.” She tried to keep her voice calm. “The new army was defeated, the northern border is in danger, and Prime Minister Zhou proposed something, Your Majesty…” “Enough!” Li Yan slammed the carving knife in his hand onto the wood, making a harsh sound. He turned around, staring at Liu Weilan with red eyes, “You also want to persuade me to ask that Lin Xiao for help?!” Liu Weilan was startled by the fierce gleam in his eyes, but she mustered up the courage to speak: “Your Majesty, Lin Xiao’s army is far more powerful than ours. With our nation in dire straits, if we can get his help, we might be able to lift the siege of the northern border. Your Majesty, please reconsider your cooperation with him and let him come…” “Shut up!” Li Yan was furious and kicked Liu Weilan in the lower abdomen! “Ugh!” Liu Weilan cried out in pain and stumbled into the wooden shelf next to her, and the tools on the shelf scattered all over the floor. “Bitch!” Li Yan pointed at her and cursed, “You are speaking for outsiders! I am the emperor! The emperor of the Great Zhou! Who the hell is Lin Xiao? A peasant! How dare you covet my kingdom?! I still have hundreds of thousands of troops! I don’t need him!” He acted like a madman, and stepped forward and slapped Liu Weilan hard in the face again. “Pa!” The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the carpentry workshop. Liu Weilan’s cheeks instantly became red and swollen, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. She looked at the man in front of her in disbelief, her nominal husband, the emperor of the Great Zhou. “Someone come! Drag this evil queen out for me! Drag her out!” Li Yan pointed at Liu Weilan and shouted at the top of his lungs. Several eunuchs rushed in and were terrified by the scene, but they did not dare to disobey and could only step forward to hold Liu Weilan. Liu Weilan did not struggle, but just looked at Li Yan deeply with a sad and disappointed look. This man, this dynasty, may really be beyond salvation. She was half dragged and half supported out of the carpentry room by the eunuchs. Standing outside the hall, looking at the gloomy sky, Liu Weilan sighed deeply, and slowly left with endless fatigue and despair. Chapter 374: Capital in Crisis The grassland army won a great victory, and the morale of the tribes was high, while the northern part of the Great Zhou fell into deeper panic. In the captured city, the once prosperous mansion has now become a place of revelry for the grassland people. The makeshift bonfire crackled, and the rich aroma of barbecue mixed with the pungent smell of blood filled the air. “Drink! Drink!” Rough shouts echoed one after another. The grassland men, their upper bodies bare, revealing their muscular build and hideous scars, tore into the barbecued meat with big mouthfuls, drank strong liquor from large bowls, and occasionally broke into wild laughter. The captured women of the Great Zhou Dynasty huddled together tremblingly, their eyes filled with fear and despair. Their clothes were in disarray, and some were even covered with bruises. If they disobeyed, they would be beaten and kicked, or dragged into a room roughly, followed by heart wrenching cries and lewd laughter. “Damn, the Central Plains is great! There’s plenty of food and the women are so pretty!” A general with a face full of flesh was holding a young woman who was so frightened that she turned pale in his arms. His big hands were kneading her body wantonly, which caused a burst of laughter. “That’s right! These Central Plains girls are just more exciting than those from our grasslands! They have soft skin and their moans sound beautiful!” “Hahahaha! Once we capture the capital, we’ll be able to choose from the emperor’s concubines!” The more they talked, the more excited they became, as if all the wealth and beauties of the Great Zhou were already in their pockets. Agulla sat not far away, a jug of wine and a few pieces of grilled meat before her. She wore leather armor, exuding a unique air of heroism and coolness even amidst the bustle of the camp. She seemed oblivious to the vulgar words and despicable actions of the men around her, and just silently wiped her turquoise inlaid scimitar. A drunken general came over, burping, “Princess, why don’t you go have some fun? These Central Plains women may not be very good at playing, but they’re quite fun to play with. How about I snatch a few handsome Central Plains men to serve you?” The surrounding grassland men heard this and started to cheer: “Yes, Princess, it’s time to taste a man!” “The women of our grasslands are not as shy as those in the Central Plains!” Agula raised his eyes, his gaze like an icy blade sweeping across the general, and snorted coldly, “Men from the Central Plains? They’re all so delicate and weak, how could they be worthy of me, Agula?” Her tone was filled with disdain, “My man must be the strongest eagle! These weaklings are not even worthy of carrying my shoes!” She paused, her eyes looking southward, her ambition blazing. “My heart isn’t on these rubbish. What I want to do is conquer the entire Great Zhou for my father, the Khan, and our grasslands!” The general was startled by her look, sobered up a little, and retreated awkwardly. Seeing this, everyone didn’t dare to make fun of her anymore and started to laugh and flatter her. “As expected of the pearl of our grassland! Princess Agula has great ambitions!” “With the princess here, there’s no need to worry about not accomplishing great things!” “The Great Khan is so lucky to have a daughter like the princess!” Altan Khan sat high in the main seat, listening to his daughter’s words and looking at the sharpness in her eyes that was no less than that of a man. He stroked his beard with satisfaction and laughed out loud. At this time, Huyan Ba kicked the lifeless woman in his arms away as if he was throwing away a piece of garbage. He grabbed the wine bag and took a gulp, then wiped his mouth and said in a muffled voice, “Great Khan, Your Highness, have you ever heard that in the Great Zhou, besides the capital, there is a place called Qinglin County?” “Qinglin County?” Altan Khan raised his eyebrows slightly. “Exactly!” Hu Yanba’s eyes gleamed with greed. “It’s said that Qinglin County is even richer than the capital! There are countless rare treasures in it, grain piled up like mountains, and gold and silver treasures that are so dazzling that it’s blinding! Most importantly, the women there are more numerous and more beautiful than those in the capital!” “Oh? Is this true?” The other generals also became interested. “It’s absolutely true!” Hu Yanba patted his chest. “I got the news from a spy who escaped. The governor of Qinglin County is called Lin Xiao. I heard he’s a young man with some unorthodox tricks under his command. But no matter how unorthodox he is, can he stop the iron cavalry of our grasslands?” He sneered and looked around at everyone: “Once we’ve conquered the capital, I’ll be the first to lead my troops to flatten Qinglin County! Tear off Lin Xiao’s head and use it as a chamber pot. Take every woman in his house, every last one, and let the brothers have a good time!” “good!” “General Huyanba is mighty!” “Then we can divide it into several brothers!” The grassland generals howled like wild beasts again, their eyes filled with desire for wealth and women. They seemed to have seen Qinglin County burning under their iron hooves, with countless treasures and beauties waiting for them to plunder. In the following days, the grassland army became even more ferocious. Led by formidable generals like Agula and Huyanba, the grassland cavalry rampaged across the northern regions of the Great Zhou like a flood. They bypassed some fortified cities and targeted weakly defended prefectures and counties. City after city was captured, with flames and smoke rising everywhere. “Report! Your Majesty, Shuozhou has been lost! The defending commander… the defending commander has committed suicide and died for his country!” “Report! Daizhou has fallen! The governor of Daizhou and his entire family… jumped into a well!” Urgent military reports flew into the capital of the Great Zhou like snowflakes, each time bringing worse news. Li Yan was in the Golden Palace, listening to the despairing war reports. His expression changed from rage at first, to fear, and finally to numbness. He discovered that the Great Zhou, which he was so proud of, was so vulnerable in front of those grassland barbarians. He began to have frequent nightmares, dreaming that the grassland people’s cavalry broke through the palace gate and that he had become the king of a fallen country. The idea of moving the capital surfaced in his mind more than once, but he suppressed it forcefully. How could he lose the legacy of his ancestors in his hands? But what else can we do if we don’t move the capital? Asking for help from Lin Xiao? That peasant who was like an ant in his eyes? The thought of bowing to Lin Xiao made Li Yan feel more uncomfortable than killing him. The capital city, the once prosperous imperial capital, is now in a state of panic. The first to sense the danger were high ranking officials and wealthy merchants. They packed their bags, quietly took their families and valuables, and fled to the relatively safe south, either by car or by sea. For a time, the roads out of the city were crowded with all kinds of vehicles and pedestrians, and many people fought for boats or carriages. The price of rice in the city rose three times a day, and even ordinary people could hardly buy enough food even if they had money. Various rumors spread everywhere, exacerbating people’s panic. “Have you heard? The barbarians from the grassland are going to massacre the city! They kill without blinking an eye, chopping down anyone they see!” “I’m afraid the Emperor is going to run away too! Several carts of stuff were shipped out of the palace yesterday!” Fear spread like a plague among the people. Those with connections tried every possible means to escape southward. Those without connections locked themselves up, hid their meager food supplies, and prayed day and night, utterly terrified. The streets that used to be bustling with traffic and tourists are now deserted. Most shops were closed, and the streets were sparsely populated. The few pedestrians who occasionally walked were hurried, with expressions of fear and anxiety on their faces. The air was filled with despair and oppression. Chapter 375 Iron Tide Sweeps The atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall was even more solemn than it had been a few days ago. Li Yan, seated on the throne, had a pale complexion, his eyes sunken, his former arrogance long gone. His hands gripped the throne’s armrests so tightly that his nails practically dug into the wood grain. “Move the capital… Do we really have to move the capital?” An old minister spoke tremblingly, his voice tinged with tears, “How can we give up the foundation laid by our ancestors?” He kowtowed and did not get up for a long time. “If we don’t move the capital, are we waiting to die? The barbarians from the grassland are almost at the gate of the capital!” Another official who looked like a military general retorted in a rough voice, the veins on his neck bulging. Zhou Mubai stood aside, his figure even more hunched. He closed his eyes and said hoarsely, “Your Majesty, the grassland army is too powerful, and the capital is undermanned. Without external support, holding on… is extremely difficult. Moving the capital to the south of the Yangtze River, temporarily avoiding the enemy, may allow us to slowly rebuild.” “Prime Minister, didn’t you say before that we could ask Lin Xiao for help?” an official asked anxiously. As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly became quiet for a moment, and you could hear a pin drop. Li Yan suddenly raised his head, a flash of humiliation and anger in his eyes, but more of it was fear. He opened his mouth, wanting to scold, but no words came out. Begging Lin Xiao? That peasant? How could he have the nerve to do that! “Lin Xiao has wicked ambitions. Inviting him here is like inviting a wolf into the house!” a royal relative shrieked. “If that happens, we’ll drive the wolf out the front door and a tiger will come in from the back door. Wouldn’t our Great Zhou be in even greater danger?” “But besides Lin Xiao, who else can stop the grassland cavalry?” “We can call on all the troops in the world to come to our aid! Will the princes of various places just sit back and watch the capital fall?” “Come to the king’s aid? Humph, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst! By the time they finally arrive, the walls of the capital will probably have changed color!” The hall was in an uproar, with spit flying everywhere. Some advocated holding out, some advocated moving the capital, and some hesitated whether to shamelessly ask Lin Xiao for help. Li Yan felt dizzy after hearing this, his heart pounding. He slapped the armrest of the dragon throne in frustration, “Enough! Shut up!” “This matter… let’s discuss it later! Let’s adjourn the court!” Li Yan finally failed to make up his mind. He waved his hand tiredly and fled back to the harem. The court’s deliberations once again came to nothing. Unlike the chaos and despair in the capital, the atmosphere in the prefectural mansion of Qinglin County was serious but orderly. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. Below him, Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, and other core members were all present. “The grassland people are advancing faster than expected.” Lin Xiao’s tone was calm, and no emotion could be detected. “The new army from the imperial court is vulnerable. If we rely on them, we’re probably going to lose hope.” Everyone nodded silently. This result was within their expectations, but it also made them feel heavy. “Sir, according to the intelligence we’ve received, the main force of the grassland army, after defeating the new imperial army, is heading straight for the capital. However, their flanks and rear are inevitably left vulnerable because the battle line is so stretched out.” Song Qinghe stood up and analyzed clearly, “Our preliminary preparations, including food, weapons, and mobilization of troops, have all been completed.” Lin Xiao nodded slightly. “Very good. We can’t wait until the grassland people arrive at our doorstep before we take action. Pass on my order, send troops immediately, target Beiping County and Shanggu County in the north.” “Yes, sir!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian responded in unison, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit, practically spitting fire. They had been simmering with energy, awaiting Lin Xiao’s orders. Relying on the imperial court? It would be more practical to rely on the swords and guns in their own hands! Zhao Wu fled all the way south, sleeping in the open air, and escaping many dangers before finally arriving in Beiping County. The county city gates were tightly shut. A few soldiers in tattered Great Zhou uniforms stood sparsely on the city walls. They all looked dejected, their eyes dull, and the spears they held seemed to weigh a thousand pounds. Zhao Wu took one look, and his heart sank. “Can this place… can it stop those grassland demons?” he muttered to himself, his eyes full of doubt. On his way to escape, he had witnessed countless scenes of imperial troops fleeing at the sight of a threat. Those officers and soldiers who usually flaunted their military might were now faster than rabbits in front of the sabers of the grassland people. Could Beiping County be an exception? Zhao Wu didn’t dare hold out too much hope. He just thought that this was a large county town after all, and perhaps it could hold out for a few more days, giving him the opportunity to continue south and find a truly safe place, giving him a chance to avenge his actions on the grassland and find his sister. Just as Zhao Wu was worried about the future and considering whether to sneak into the city, a thunderous sound like an earthquake suddenly came from the direction of the north gate of Beiping County! “Boom! Boom! Boom!” The sound was dull and powerful, like a huge hammer hitting the earth, and the entire city wall seemed to be shaking slightly. The defenders on the city wall were in a panic. “What’s that sound?” “Is it… is it thunder? In broad daylight…” Like other people who had fled here, Zhao Wu looked towards the north in confusion. Soon, they saw the answer. An army completely different from any Great Zhou army they had ever seen appeared on the horizon. An army completely different from any Great Zhou army they had ever seen appeared on the horizon. Their military appearance was uniform, their steps were firm and powerful, and the black armor on their bodies flashed a cold and terrifying light in the sunlight. They no longer held spears and swords in their hands, but a black “iron pipe” that had never been seen before. The most eye catching thing was the huge black tubular objects in their team that were pulled by several strong horses. The black muzzles of the guns were pointing directly at the city walls of Beiping County. “Fire!” A clear and loud command came. More than a dozen cannons roared at the same time, orange red flames gushed out from the muzzles, and heavy shells whizzed towards the walls and gates of Beiping County! “Boom! Boom!” The sturdy city gate was shattered by several rounds of bombardment! Several large gaps were also smashed into the city wall, and rubble flew everywhere, and smoke and dust filled the air. The defenders on the city walls had never seen such a scene before and were stunned on the spot. “Monster! What kind of magic is this!” “The city gate is broken! Run!” Before the defenders could react, rows of soldiers in the mysterious army raised the strange black “fire sticks” in their hands. “Ready—fire!” “Bang bang bang bang!” The dense sound of gunfire rang out like frying beans. In the air filled with smoke, the defenders who tried to resist at the gap in the city wall fell down like dumplings. The range of their bows and arrows was far inferior to that of the enemy, and their spears were even beyond their reach. In front of the enemy’s indestructible firearms, they were simply a huge joke. “Charge!” Sun Mingde took the lead, drew the steel knife from his waist and roared. The Qinglin Army soldiers rushed into the city like tigers descending from the mountains, pouring in through the blasted open gates and breaches. The defenders, already disheartened, were now even more terrified. They collapsed at the first blow, dropping their weapons and kneeling in surrender. The prefect of Beiping County tried to escape from the south gate under the protection of his personal guards, but he was intercepted by a group of cavalry and tied up before he had gone far. Zhao Wu stood in the distance, his mouth wide open, staring in amazement at what was happening before his eyes. This… where did this divine soldier from the sky come from? ! Such sharp firearms, such powerful combat power, is this still the army of the Great Zhou? He rubbed his eyes, almost unable to believe it. The people in the city also went from initial fear to shock, and then to a hint of incredible anticipation. “This… which king’s army is this?” “It was incredible! Those officers and soldiers didn’t even have a chance to fight back!” “Could it be…that we are saved?” Sun Mingde led the main force and quickly took control of the entire Beiping County City with almost no effort. On the other hand, the detachment led by Wang Jian was even more successful. The officials of Shanggu County had long heard about the brutality of the grassland people and the defeat of the new imperial army, and they were all frightened like frightened birds. When they learned that a well equipped army of unknown strength was heading towards them, the county magistrate of Shanggu County and a group of officials of all ranks packed up their belongings overnight, abandoned the city and fled, running faster than rabbits. When Wang Jian’s army marched into Shanggu County without bloodshed, they were greeted by empty government offices and people with faces full of fear and a hint of curiosity. Lin Xiao took over the two counties of Beiping and Shanggu with lightning speed and at a very small cost. When the news reached Qinglin County, Lin Xiao simply smiled faintly and immediately issued an order: “Calm the people, eliminate the remaining bandits, restore order in the two counties as soon as possible, and win over the people’s hearts. Our battle has just begun.” Chapter 376 This is a rebellion The news that Lin Xiao’s army had captured the two counties of Beiping and Shanggu at lightning speed spread throughout the Great Zhou in just a few days, as if it had wings. Capital city, Golden Palace. As Li Yan listened to the report from the spy below, his face turned from gray to ashen, and finally turned the color of liver. He slammed the armrest of the dragon throne, and the fine golden nanmu wood groaned under the heavy burden. “Lin Xiao! It’s Lin Xiao again!” Li Yan’s voice was sharp, filled with uncontrollable anger, echoing in the empty hall. “What a bastard! Does he still have me, the emperor, in his eyes? The grassland people haven’t even been driven away yet, and he’s already started to seize my territory! This is taking advantage of the situation! This is rebellion! Blatant rebellion!” His Highness and his ministers all hung their heads, not daring to utter a single breath. Even the most flattering officials felt their mouths dry and their tongues parched. They racked their brains but could not think of anything to say to relieve the Emperor’s worries, fearing that opening their mouths would bring bad luck. Zhou Mubai’s old body trembled slightly, and he stepped out of the line, his voice hoarse: “Your Majesty, please calm down. Lin Xiao’s actions were inappropriate, but…” “Inappropriate?!” Li Yan interrupted him with a shriek, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “Zhou Mubai! What do you mean by that? Are you going to speak up for that traitor too? His intentions are obvious to everyone! He’s trying to undermine the foundation of our Great Zhou!” Zhou Mubai sighed inwardly, but dared not show it on his face. He simply continued in a low voice, “Your Majesty, I’m not defending Lin Xiao. It’s just that the imperial court is currently stretched thin, and the border troops have suffered repeated defeats. Lin Xiao is a man, and his soldiers are indeed brave, and their firearms are unmatched. If he can hold Beiping and Shanggu, it will be like erecting a solid barrier in the north of our Great Zhou. At least… at least it can buy the capital some breathing space, preventing the grassland cavalry from advancing straight through.” “Barrier?” Li Yan uttered a short, cold laugh, his eyes filled with suspicion and sarcasm. “I think he wants to carve out a territory and establish himself as king! He’s hoping the grassland people will fight as fiercely as possible so he can reap the benefits! I see that his Qinglin County is extremely wealthy, and I’m afraid that has long since nurtured his evil ambitions!” Zhou Mubai wanted to persuade him again, but seeing that Li Yan was already furious, he had to swallow back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He knew clearly in his mind that in today’s Great Zhou, the only one who could resist the grassland cavalry was probably Lin Xiao. Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan listened to the report from the palace maid Qiuyue, and the teacup in her hand, which was about to be picked up, stopped in mid air. “Lin Xiao…he took over Beiping County and Shanggu County?” She frowned slightly, then slowly relaxed her eyebrows, with a gleam in her eyes . “Yes, your Majesty. I heard that General Lin’s army was well equipped and it took them less than half a day to attack the city. As soon as the artillery fired, the city gate was broken.” Qiuyue’s voice was filled with amazement. Liu Weilan nodded slightly, and the image of Qinglin County’s neat and powerful army and Lin Xiao’s face that always looked a little indifferent yet confident emerged in her mind. “As expected of him,” she sighed softly in her heart. In this chaotic world, only a man like him could have such a thunderous approach. The news that Lin Xiao occupied two counties was also received in the camp of the grassland army. “Oh? That southerner boy named Lin Xiao actually dared to come out to snatch food?” Altan Khan listened to the spy’s report and stroked his beard with interest. Huyan Ba, tearing into a roasted leg of lamb, spat out the bone fragments in his mouth with a disdainful “Pah.” “Great Khan, he’s just a hyena who’s never seen the world. He’s just sneaking around to pick up some bones while we’re busy. Once we capture the capital of the Great Zhou and march south, Qinglin County, Beiping County, and Shanggu County will be easy to capture. By then, I’ll skin Lin Xiao and make a whip out of him!” Several generals around him also echoed his words, their words full of contempt for Lin Xiao and longing for future looting. Agula sat aside, wiping his scimitar. When he heard Lin Xiao’s name, he paused slightly. She raised her head, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes, like the brightest stars on the grassland. “This Lin Xiao is quite courageous. However, in front of the iron hoofs of my grassland warriors, any resistance is futile.” A belligerent smile appeared on her lips. “Father, once we capture the capital, I will go and meet this Lin Xiao. I want to see who is tougher, his bones, or my scimitar!” Altan Khan saw the fighting spirit in his daughter’s eyes and laughed heartily with satisfaction: “Well done! You are worthy of being my daughter, Altan Khan! This world will eventually belong to us, the people of the grasslands!” Unlike the chaos in the capital and the hustle and bustle on the grassland, Beiping County and Shanggu County, which had just been incorporated into Lin Xiao’s rule, were restoring order at an astonishing speed. Li Dequan, with a capable administrative team, immediately entered the two counties. He knew Lin Xiao’s philosophy of “people oriented” and did not dare to delay for a moment. “Sir Li, this is the preliminary household registration and grain storage book.” A young clerk handed over several volumes of files respectfully. Li Dequan took it and read it carefully, nodding or frowning from time to time. “Pass on Lord Lin’s order!” Li Dequan put down the file and spoke in a loud voice. “Post a public notice immediately! All residents of Beiping and Shanggu counties will be exempt from land tax for one year! Open the government granary to provide relief to the displaced! Anyone willing to reclaim wasteland will receive seeds and farm tools per head. The reclaimed land will belong to the owner for the first three years, and only 30% of the rent will be collected thereafter!” “Recruit young and strong men, repair the city defenses, and maintain public order! Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to rob and prey on the people will be severely punished!” “At the same time, a recruitment office will be set up in the city. Anyone willing to join the army to defend our country will be treated the same as our Qinglin Army!” Orders were passed down in an orderly manner, and the entire Beiping County seemed to be injected with new vitality. The people who had suffered from the terror of war and the exploitation of the government showed long lost smiles and hope on their faces after seeing the notice and receiving food. Zhao Wu stood in the long queue at the recruiting office and clenched his fists. As he fled south, he witnessed too many tragic scenes and the incompetence of the imperial army. When he saw the Qinglin Army, with its neat military uniforms and equipped with sharp firearms, breaking through the Beiping County City like a divine army sent from heaven, he knew that his chance had come. “Name?” asked the registration sergeant. “Zhao Wu!” He straightened his chest, his voice a little hoarse with excitement. “Why did you join the army?” Zhao Wu’s eyes instantly filled with bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth and said, “Kill all the Tartars from the grassland! Avenge my parents! Find my sister!” Upon hearing this, the sergeant’s eyes flashed with understanding. He nodded, circled his name heavily, and said in a deep voice, “Good boy, you’ve got guts! Next one!” Chapter 377: Preparing for War The sky in Beiping County and Shanggu County seemed to be a little brighter than usual. The city gates that had been tightly closed were now wide open. The streets were no longer filled with panicked crowds of people. Instead, there were teams of neatly groomed Qinglin Army soldiers in black uniforms. They were patrolling, posting notices, or helping to distribute food. The people went from being terrified at first, to cautiously sticking their heads out to look, and now, many people dare to come forward to the notice and listen to literate people read out its contents. “…For all the people in Beiping and Shanggu counties, the land tax will be temporarily exempted for one year…” “…Open the government granary to provide relief to the refugees! Distribute seeds and farming tools per head to those willing to reclaim wasteland…” “…Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to rob and exploit the people will be severely punished!” Each decree, like spring rain, nourishes the hearts of those who have suffered from war and harsh rule. The soldiers of the Qinglin Army behaved in a completely different way from any officers and soldiers they had seen before. They would not take anything from the people, spoke politely, and would occasionally lend a hand. “Master Lin’s soldiers are truly a righteous army!” “Yeah, those hooligans in the city who usually act like bullies tried to take advantage of the chaos, but they were caught on the spot. I heard they’re being sent to work in the mines!” “I’m afraid we’ve really run into the Great Lord this time!” In the streets and alleys, discussions gradually increased, fear dissipated, and hope was quietly growing. People looked at the spirited Qinglin Army soldiers with their eyes full of curiosity and awe. Beiping County New Recruit Camp. Zhao Wu stood in the queue, his sweat soaking the coarse cloth training suit he had just been given, but he did not feel tired at all, only an indescribable excitement in his heart. Looking around, there were thousands of new recruits like him on the playground, who were undergoing strict drill training under the orders of veterans. The posture, turning, and pace, every movement must be uniform. Any mistake will result in a ruthless scolding from the instructor. This training was harder than he had imagined, but Zhao Wu was willing to do it. When the meal came, it was an eye opener. There was plenty of white rice, large pieces of meat, and fresh vegetables. This meal was even better than the New Year’s Eve dinner he had at home before fleeing! He wolfed it down, feeling full of energy. In the afternoon, they received their weapons. They were not the rusty spears and swords that he was familiar with, but dark and heavy “fire guns” that the instructors called “rifles.” The bayonet hanging at the waist flashed a cold light. The instructor explained in detail the structure, maintenance and shooting techniques of the rifle, and each step was clear and concise. Zhao Wu stroked the cold barrel of his spear, a surge of heroic emotion welling up in his heart. This was Lord Lin’s army! This was his hope for revenge and to find his sister! He secretly resolved to train hard and become a qualified Qinglin Army soldier. Qinglin County, County Magistrate’s Office. Lin Xiao looked at the locations of Beiping and Shanggu counties on the sand table, as well as the area further north where the grassland people were wreaking havoc, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and others were on both sides. “The people of the two counties have finally settled down, and our foundation is somewhat solid.” Lin Xiao said calmly, “The main force of the grassland people is heading straight for the capital, so their rear must be empty.” He looked up at Sun Mingde and Wang Jian and said, “We can’t just sit there and wait for them to recover, or wait for them to reach our doorstep.” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian were cheered up, and a strong fighting spirit burst out in their eyes. “Sir, I’m willing to fight!” Sun Mingde was the first to step forward. “I second the motion!” Wang Jian followed closely. Lin Xiao nodded slightly: “Pass on my order, appoint Sun Mingde as the commander in chief, lead the main force of the First Division, and mobilize the newly formed artillery battalion, and immediately march north to wipe out the grassland army!” “Yes, sir!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian responded loudly. A few days later, at the north gate of Beiping County. An army like a steel torrent is marching northward in a mighty force. In the front were cavalry scouts, and on both wings were infantry phalanxes. The soldiers were dressed in uniform black armor, and the bayonets of their rifles flashed a terrifying cold light in the sunlight. In the middle of the team were dozens of huge black cannons pulled by strong horses. The black muzzles of the cannons looked like the mouths of ferocious beasts ready to devour their prey, emitting a terrifying pressure. The training of the recruit camp came to a temporary end. Zhao Wu and some outstanding recruits were added to the expeditionary force, responsible for transporting food and supplies. He stood by the roadside, watching the main force pass by, and felt his blood boiling. The orderly pace, the murderous military appearance, and the powerful artillery all made him full of confidence in the upcoming battle. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” The dull sound of war drums rang out, and the passionate sound of trumpets soared into the sky. Sun Mingde was wearing heavy armor, with a sword hanging from his waist, riding on a tall horse. He had a resolute face and a gaze as sharp as lightning. He turned his head to look at the huge army stretching for miles behind him, suddenly drew out his sword, pointed it forward, and said in a loud voice: “Let’s go! Trampling the grasslands and spreading our might!” “Roar! Roar! Roar!” Tens of thousands of soldiers roared in unison, shaking the entire area. Zhao Wu tightened the spear in his hand, with a determined light flashing in his eyes. He knew that this journey would be a life or death struggle, but he was not afraid. For his dead parents, for his lost sister, and for the innocent people who were killed by the grassland people, he had to fight! The army marched north and soon arrived at the border between Beiping County and the grassland. Sun Mingde reined in his horse and looked out into the distance. Ahead lay a desolate landscape, with withered autumn grass and a biting northerly wind. “Pass the order!” Sun Mingde said solemnly, “Scouts advance fifty miles to investigate the enemy situation! The army selects advantageous terrain, sets up camp, and builds defensive fortifications! The artillery battalion occupies the high ground and is ready to fire at any time!” Orders were quickly passed down, and the huge army began to move in an orderly manner. Zhao Wu and his companions, under the command of the veteran, began to dig trenches and carry sandbags. Although he was only in charge of logistics, he could still feel the tense and solemn atmosphere before the war. He raised his head and looked towards the north, muttering silently in his heart: “Sister, wait for me, I will definitely find you!” Chapter 378 Looks Powerful The grassland army occupied the mansion. Altan Khan sat high on a throne covered with thick animal skins, playing with an exquisite jade cup looted from the Central Plains. The tent was filled with the strong smell of wine, meat, and women’s perfume. Down below, Huyan Ba had just tossed a weeping, begging Central Plains woman to his guards. Wiping the grease from the corners of his mouth, he gruffly said, “Khan, our spies report that the kid named Lin Xiao in the south has actually led his men north. Judging from their direction, they’re heading for us.” Upon hearing this, Altan Khan paused, then sneered, “Oh? Lin Xiao? Is he the southerner who occupied the Beiping and Shanggu counties?” “That’s him!” Hu Yanba said disdainfully, his face thick with flesh. “Does this brat think that just by defeating those weakling Zhou Dynasty troops, he can challenge our grassland warriors? He’s asking for his own death!” The other grassland generals also burst into laughter. “A Southerner hiding in his shell dares to take the initiative to attack? I’m afraid he must be tired of living!” “That’s right. Once we conquer the capital of the Great Zhou, we’ll turn around and massacre that Qinglin County!” Altan Khan drank the remaining wine in the jade cup and threw it aside. “Since he has come to me seeking death, let him do it. Huyanba, who do you think we should send to loosen up his muscles?” Huyanba grinned, revealing his yellow and black teeth. “I think we should let Morigen take 10,000 vanguards to meet him. We should also let Morigen and his men exercise, so they don’t get too tired from drinking and playing with women all day.” “Morigen?” Altan Khan nodded. “Alright, let him go. Tell him to finish the battle quickly and bring Lin Xiao’s head to me. I want to use his skull as a drinking bowl!” “Hahaha, the Khan is wise!” The generals laughed in agreement. Soon, the order to go to war reached Morigen’s camp. Morigen was drinking and having fun with two beautiful women he had kidnapped from the Central Plains. When he heard that he was chosen as the vanguard to fight against the ignorant southern army, he laughed loudly, pushed the women around him away, and grabbed the mace. “Great! Finally, some fun!” Mo Rigen’s eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty light. “Pass the order down, my men, grab your weapons and follow me to slaughter those southern barbarians and steal all their food and women!” Ten thousand grassland cavalry, like a black whirlwind, stirred up a sky full of smoke and dust, and swept towards the south with arrogance. They galloped on horseback all the way, not taking the enemies they were about to encounter seriously at all. In their view, the Central Plains army was a bunch of vulnerable lambs, and they had no other abilities except running away and kneeling down to beg for mercy. “Boss, what do those southerners look like? Are they the same as the ones we killed before, who scatter as soon as they charge?” A young grassland soldier licked his cracked lips and asked the centurion beside him excitedly. The centurion grinned grimly, “No matter what he looks like, he’ll have the same fate under the sabers of our grassland warriors! This time we’re going to have to rob him as much as we can. I heard that Qinglin County is incredibly wealthy and has a plethora of rare finds!” “And women! I heard the women there are even more tender and beautiful than those in the capital!” “Hahaha……” Foul language and arrogant laughter accompanied them as they quickly advanced towards the border of Beiping County. In their eyes, this was just another easy feast of looting. A few days later, at the northern border of Beiping County. The main force of the Qinglin Army, led by Sun Mingde, has chosen a favorable terrain here and built a preliminary defensive position. Dozens of artillery pieces of the artillery battalion were cleverly placed on the high ground, with their black muzzles pointing silently to the north like giant eyes staring into the abyss. Zhao Wu and some new recruits were carrying artillery shells at this moment. Although they were only assisting, the solemn and murderous atmosphere of the impending war in the air made his palms sweat. He looked towards the north from time to time, feeling both deep hatred for the grassland army and a bit of uneasiness about the upcoming battle. “Scouts report! A large group of grassland cavalry, about 10,000 in number, was spotted thirty miles ahead, approaching our army at high speed!” A messenger galloped to Sun Mingde’s horse and reported loudly. Sun Mingde’s face was calm as he nodded, “Understood. Order the entire army to enter combat readiness! No one is allowed to open fire without my order!” “yes!” The order was quickly passed down, and the entire Qinglin Army position instantly became quieter, with only the subtle sounds of armor rubbing against each other and weapons colliding. The soldiers checked their muskets, which reflected a cold light in the sunlight. Zhao Wu took a deep breath and gripped the spear tightly, even though he knew he might not have the chance to use it. He cast his eyes on the black muzzles of the guns, feeling a little relieved. Soon, a thin black line appeared on the distant horizon. The black line quickly grew thicker and wider, and the roar of horse hooves came from far away like thunder, shaking the earth slightly. Morigen took the lead, squinting his eyes as he looked at the Qinglin Army positions in front of him that were on high alert. “Huh?” He uttered a light “huh?” The southern army before him was completely different from the official armies of the Great Zhou he had seen before. There were no colorful flags or chaotic formations, but instead a solemn black. The soldiers were wearing uniform black armor, and their formations were as neat as if they had been measured with a ruler. They were not holding spears or swords, but a kind of black iron pipe that he had never seen before. Especially those huge black tubular objects placed on the high ground, emitting a heart pounding and dangerous aura. “Hmph, you look quite intimidating.” A hint of surprise flashed through Mo Rigen’s mind, but it was immediately replaced by stronger contempt. In his opinion, no matter how much the southerners struggled, they could not change their weak nature. “My men!” Morigen suddenly raised his mace and pointed it at the Qinglin Army’s position ahead, his voice roaring like a wild beast. “See? They are the fat sheep that are giving us military merits, women, and treasures! Charge! Kill them all!” “Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” Tens of thousands of grassland cavalrymen let out earth shattering howls, and like a flood bursting through a dam, brandishing sharp sabers and heavy lassoes, they launched a ferocious charge towards the Qinglin Army’s positions. Horse hooves flew, dust obscured the sky, and a strong murderous aura washed over them. Zhao Wu looked at the grassland cavalry that was surging like a black tide, and felt a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The knuckles of his fingers holding the spear turned white because of the force. These are the demons who killed his parents and stole his sister! Sun Mingde stood high up, calmly watching the enemies pouring in like a tide, his face expressionless. He slowly raised his right hand. Chapter 379 Overestimating One’s Abilities It was not until the grassland cavalry rushed into the best range of the artillery that he suddenly chopped down his raised right hand! “fire!” The command sounded like thunder. The artillerymen, who had been ready for a long time, pulled the fuse almost at the same time. “Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!” Dozens of black cannons roared in unison, spewing out orange red flames and thick white smoke from their muzzles. The heavy shells, with sharp whistling sounds, quickly hit the densely charging group of grassland cavalry. In an instant, the sky collapsed and the earth split! The grassland cavalry at the front didn’t even have time to scream before they were knocked to the ground by the whistling artillery shells, with blood and flesh flying everywhere. Huge craters were blasted into the hard ground, and gravel and soil mixed with broken limbs were thrown high into the air and then fell like raindrops. After only the first round of artillery fire, the charge momentum of the steppe cavalry was slowed down. The warhorse under Morigen was frightened and stood up, almost knocking him over. He finally managed to steady himself, staring in amazement at the tragic scene ahead, as if it had been plowed by a giant beast. A chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. “What the hell is this?!” he cried out in shock, the arrogance and contempt on his face had long been replaced by horror. The grassland cavalry behind him were in even greater chaos, their horses neighing in fear, their knights looking pale, and some subconsciously reined in their horses and turned around, trying to escape from this place of death. Their proud horse archery was simply a joke in the face of such a devastating attack, and their bows and arrows couldn’t even touch the enemy. “Don’t retreat! Charge! Charge and kill them!” Morigen came to his senses, roared at the top of his lungs, and waved his mace to try to stabilize his position. He knew that if they were to collapse, they would become sitting ducks for the enemy’s long range weapons. However, the Qinglin Army’s artillerymen did not give them any chance to breathe. The rigorously trained gunners cleaned the barrel, loaded, aimed, and fired at astonishing speed! “Boom! Boom!” There were another round of devastating artillery bombardments, and each loud explosion was accompanied by the fall of large numbers of grassland cavalry. Their formation was completely disrupted, and their so called bravery was no match for absolute strength. Although Zhao Wu and the new recruits were only carrying artillery shells in the rear, they witnessed this scene that seemed like divine punishment with their own eyes. They all opened their mouths wide and were shocked beyond words. Especially Zhao Wu, as he watched those usually ferocious grassland cavalrymen turned into powder in the artillery fire, an indescribable excitement and pleasure surged from the bottom of his heart. Dad! Mom! Did you see that?! These demons have finally met their end! “Infantry! Ready ” Sun Mingde’s voice sounded again, calm and steady. The artillery fire extended and began to cover the rear of the grassland cavalry. At the command of the officers, the Qinglin Army infantrymen in the front row raised their rifles and pointed the black muzzles at the scattered grassland cavalry who had managed to break through the artillery blockade and tried to approach. “put!” “Bang bang bang bang bang!” The dense gunfire rang out like frying beans. In the air filled with smoke, the rushing grassland cavalry fell off their horses like dumplings. Their leather armor was like paper in front of lead bullets and provided no protection at all. Mo Rigen’s eyes were red. In such a short time, nearly half of the tens of thousands of elite cavalrymen he had brought with him had been slaughtered by the enemy using this unheard of fighting method! The warriors he brought with him couldn’t even rush within a hundred steps of the enemy’s formation! “Follow me! Kill the leader!” Morigen was unwilling to fail. He roared, wielded his mace, and personally led hundreds of personal guards, trying to tear a hole from the flank and raid the central army where Sun Mingde was. “Protect the general!” Sun Mingde’s personal guards immediately stepped forward. Sun Mingde snorted coldly, took out his special long handled saber from the saddle, and spurred his horse forward: “You ignorant fool! I will personally send you off!” The two small cavalry units collided violently. Morigen was indeed brave. He swung his mace with great vigor and killed several Qinglin Army cavalrymen. But he soon discovered that his opponent’s armor was stronger than he had imagined, and the weapons in his hands were sharper. Sun Mingde rushed down the mountain like a tiger, the saber in his hand made a sound of breaking wind as he chopped down Morigen. Mo Rigen hurriedly raised his mace to block. “Bang!” There was a loud noise and sparks flew everywhere. Mo Rigen only felt a huge force coming from the mace, which made his palm numb and his arm almost broken. He was horrified that the strength of this southern general was so terrifying! Before he could react, Sun Mingde’s second knife had already swept across, the blade flashing swiftly and at a sharp angle. Mo Rigen was unable to dodge and felt a chill on his neck. Then the world spun around him. The last thing he saw was his headless body falling off the horse. “puff!” Morigen’s head was picked up by Sun Mingde’s personal guards with a spear and held high in the air. “The enemy general is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!” Sun Mingde’s voice spread throughout the battlefield. The commander was killed and the grassland cavalry completely collapsed. They looked at the head that was still open in death, and then looked at the Qinglin Army that looked like a god of death. They no longer had any will to fight. They dropped their weapons, knelt on the ground and begged for mercy. Some even turned their horses around and fled in panic to the north. “Chase! Leave no one alive!” Sun Mingde gave the order without mercy. The Qinglin Army’s cavalry and some infantry chased the fleeing grassland army like a tiger chasing a flock of sheep. This battle, from start to finish, lasted just over an hour. Except for a few who escaped, most of the 10,000 arrogant grassland cavalry remained on this land forever. The Qinglin Army achieved a crushing and glorious victory with minimal casualties. The smoke gradually dissipated, and the battlefield was in ruins. Zhao Wu stood beside the pile of grassland army corpses, the spear in his hand trembling slightly with excitement. He looked at the invaders who had once been so powerful and now had turned into cold corpses. A sense of revenge and joy of victory filled his chest, and he couldn’t help but roar to the sky. Dad! Mom! Sister! I’ve avenged you! I’ve avenged you! He shed tears, but these tears were filled with joy and hope. He knew that this was just the beginning. Following Lord Lin and the Qinglin Army, he would definitely find his sister and make all the demons on the grassland pay with blood! The news that the Qinglin Army had won a great victory, killing the grassland vanguard general Morigen in battle and annihilating nearly 10,000 enemies, spread quickly like wings. When the good news was reported back to the county magistrate’s mansion, the entire mansion was in an uproar. “Victory! General Sun and his men have won a great victory!” “I heard that the grassland people were beaten to a pulp and left their weapons and armor in ruins!” The news quickly spread from the county magistrate’s office to the entire Qinglin County City, and then from the county city to various villages and towns. The people ran around to tell each other and cheered loudly. “Long live Lord Lin! The Qinglin Army is mighty!” “Great! We finally got rid of our anger! Let those grassland barbarians know how powerful we are!” In restaurants, teahouses, streets and alleys, people were talking about this great victory. Lin Xiao’s name was once again shrouded in a sacred halo. County Magistrate’s Mansion, meeting hall. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others looked at the battle reports in their hands, their faces filled with excited smiles. “Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir!” Song Qinghe was the first to bow, “General Sun, in this battle, you have demonstrated the might of our Qinglin Army and severely intimidated those grassland ruffians!” Li Dequan’s face flushed with excitement. “Yes, sir! Now let’s see who dares to look down on us! Our Qinglin County soldiers are truly formidable!” Zhang Fuan grinned at the side, his admiration for Lin Xiao reaching its peak. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat with a faint smile on his face. He was not surprised by this result. He waved his hand. “The soldiers fought bravely and made invaluable contributions. Pass the order to reward the troops. Also, have Sun Mingde and Wang Jian continue to eliminate the remaining enemies and consolidate the defense line. Our goal is more than that.” When everyone heard this, they were startled, and then a stronger sense of anticipation surged in their hearts. Chapter 380: The Cavalry Marches South Grassland occupies the mansion The news of Morigen’s defeat and annihilation of his entire army was like a thunderbolt, striking Altan Khan’s head hard. He had just been boasting to his generals about the wonderful scene after conquering the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and was playing with a jade disk in his hand. Upon hearing the bad news, the jade disk fell to the ground with a “bang” and shattered into pieces. The noisy smell of wine and meat and the women’s teasing sounds in the tent suddenly stopped, and you could hear a pin drop. “What did you say? Say it again!” Altan Khan’s voice was hoarse, with a hint of disbelief. The spy who was covered in blood and had managed to escape knelt on the ground, his body shaking like a sieve, and repeated the battle situation in a trembling voice, especially the terrifying power of the Qinglin Army’s artillery and the tragic scene of Morigen being beheaded on the spot. “Waste! All of them are waste!” Altan Khan suddenly jumped up and kicked over the low table in front of him, which was covered with wine and meat. The golden cups and jade bowls shattered to the ground. His eyes were red and the veins on his forehead were throbbing: “Waste! A bunch of waste! That idiot Morigen! Ten thousand grassland warriors were wiped out by a bunch of southern barbarians! He has brought shame upon this Khan!” The other generals in the tent were also in an uproar, looking at each other with disbelief written all over their faces. They had always thought that the Southern army was vulnerable. Huyan Ba’s face turned even more ashen. It was he who recommended Morigen, and now he had ended up like this, he was too embarrassed to face it. He slammed the table and roared, “Great Khan! This Lin Xiao has gone too far! I beg your mercy! I am willing to lead my troops to flatten Beiping County and cut Lin Xiao into pieces to avenge Morigen! And redeem the shame of our grassland warriors!” “Yes! Kill all those southerners!” “Let them know how powerful I, the grassland warrior, am!” Everyone in the tent was furious and wanted to fight. Altan Khan was enraged. He paced back and forth, cursing non stop, “Lin Xiao… Lin Xiao! I will chop you into pieces! I’ll use your skull as a chamber pot!” At this moment, a clear but somewhat cold female voice sounded. “Father Khan calm down.” Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Agula in military uniform slowly walking in from outside the tent. She has an upright figure, a pretty face but also a heroic air, and her bright eyes are now flashing with ambition. She first glanced at the bewildered scout, then glanced at the enraged generals in the tent before she slowly spoke, “Father Khan, General Morigen underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, falling prey to the southerners’ cunning schemes. It’s not that our grassland warriors were invincible. But this battle has proven that Lin Xiao’s army is completely different from the Zhou Dynasty troops we encountered before. Their firearms are indeed formidable and should not be underestimated.” Altan Khan looked at his daughter, his anger subsiding slightly, but his face remained sullen. “So, what do you think we should do?” Agula stepped forward, her gaze firm and her voice resolute. “Father, I believe we must be even more cautious when dealing with an enemy like this. I beg your permission to personally lead my Snow Wolf Cavalry and the Gray Wolf Iron Cavalry, supplemented by elite troops, to confront this Lin Xiao!” A confident smile curved her lips, her eyes gleaming with fighting spirit. “I promise you, Father Khan, that I will defeat Lin Xiao’s army and razed his territory! As for Lin Xiao himself, I will capture him alive and bring him before you, Father Khan, to let you do whatever you will! This will also let those southerners know that the majesty of our grasslands will not be challenged!” Looking at his daughter’s heroic and confident appearance, Altan Khan’s anger was gradually replaced by a sense of relief. He was well aware of Agula’s bravery and resourcefulness. Among the younger generation on the grasslands, no one could match her. Perhaps she could truly turn the tide. “Good! You are not to be provoked!” A fierce look flashed in Altan Khan’s eyes, and he slammed the armrest heavily. “You are worthy of being my daughter, Altan Khan! I will give you this opportunity!” He turned to Huyan Ba and said, “Huyan Ba, you will select 30,000 elite cavalry from various tribes and place them under the command of Agula! All food, fodder, and weapons will be given priority!” Although Hu Yanba also wanted to take revenge himself, but seeing that the Khan had made up his mind and that Agula was indeed brave and resourceful, he also bowed and accepted the order: “I obey your command!” Altan Khan looked at Agula and said in a deep voice, “Agula, this battle is related to the prestige of our grassland. Only victory is allowed, not defeat! This Khan awaits news of your triumphant return!” Agula knelt on one knee, placed her right hand on her chest, and said loudly, “Don’t worry, father! If I can’t capture Lin Xiao alive, I will bring my head to you!” She stood up, turned around and walked out of the tent. Her determined back seemed to have seen the dawn of victory. Soon, the grassland camp became noisy again. Thirty thousand elite cavalry quickly assembled, the sound of thundering hooves and waving flags. Agula was wearing armor, holding a scimitar, and riding on a majestic black warhorse. His face was stern and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle. “Soldiers!” Agula’s voice echoed throughout the ranks. “The southerner, Lin Xiao, killed my comrades and humiliated my grassland! I will not be a human being until I avenge him! Follow me to the battle, crush Qinglin, and capture Lin Xiao alive! Let the grasslands be glorious!” “Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” Thirty thousand prairie cavalrymen roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. A rage for revenge and a thirst for blood burned in the hearts of every soldier. Capital city, imperial palace. “What? Lin Xiao won?” Li Yan put down the carving knife in his hand, his tone filled with a bit of disbelief and a hint of imperceptible sourness. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhou Mubai stood below, a rare touch of color on his aged face, and his voice was a bit louder than usual. “Lin Xiao, the prefect of Qinglin County, defeated the grassland vanguard army at the border of Beiping County, killed the enemy general Morigen in battle, and wiped out nearly ten thousand enemies. This is a great victory, Your Majesty!” Li Yan curled his lips. “Hmph, it’s just a lucky victory. The main force of the grassland barbarians hasn’t moved, so what’s there to be happy about? This Lin Xiao is getting better and better at winning people’s hearts. I think he’s not resisting the foreign enemy, he’s clearly strengthening himself!” He said this, but in his heart he was secretly relieved. After all, the grassland people had been repelled, and the pressure on the capital would be reduced. However, the stronger Lin Xiao became, the more uncomfortable he felt, as if the sword hanging over his head became sharper. Zhou Mubai bowed and said, “Your Majesty, Lin Xiao’s great victory will indeed temporarily ease the pressure on the northern border and buy our Great Zhou a chance to breathe. I believe that the most urgent task is to mobilize troops as soon as possible to consolidate the defense line of the capital.” “I know, I know. You can handle these matters as you wish.” Li Yan waved his hand impatiently and picked up his wooden bird again. “Don’t bother me with these trivial matters. My ‘Flying Divine Bird’ is about to succeed!” Zhou Mubai looked at the emperor and sighed deeply in his heart, but he could do nothing about it. Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan sat by the window, holding a book in her hands, but her mind had already flown far away. “Your Majesty, great news!” The personal maid Qiuyue walked in quickly from outside with uncontrollable excitement on her face. “Why are you so flustered?” Liu Weilan put down the book and asked calmly. “Empress, it’s General Lin! General Lin won a great victory in the northern border! I heard that he defeated the vanguard troops of the grassland people and killed a general!” Qiuyue’s voice trembled a little. When Liu Weilan heard this, a bright light suddenly appeared in her cold phoenix eyes, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously rose slightly. “Now it’s spread all over the palace and outside the palace. Everyone says that General Lin is a god who has come to earth to save our Great Zhou!” Qiuyue chattered. Liu Weilan smiled slightly, and her confidence in Lin Xiao increased a little more. She couldn’t help but think of her sister Liu Ruyan who was far away in Qinglin County. With Lin Xiao around, Ruyan would definitely be safe. It is a great blessing that such a person can emerge in this chaotic world. Chapter 381 Meet Her Qinglin County Magistrate’s Mansion. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, playing with a warm jade pendant in his hand, listening to Song Qinghe and others reporting the details of Sun Mingde’s victory with great excitement, with a faint smile on his face all the time. “Sir, General Sun’s victory truly enhanced our nation’s prestige!” Li Dequan’s face flushed with excitement. “Those barbarians on the grasslands never dreamed they would suffer such a crushing defeat!” Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling everyone to calm down. “Sun Mingde fought well, but the main force of the grassland army is still intact. Altan Khan will not give up. This victory is just the beginning.” Having said that, the atmosphere in the mansion became much more relaxed. At dinner, the dishes on the table were more sumptuous than usual. Yan Ruoxi put a piece of braised pork into Lin Xiao’s bowl with her chopsticks and said with a pout, “Husband, are you going to the war again? Those grassland people are very fierce. What if…” “Don’t worry,” Lin Xiao pinched her soft cheek, “When has your husband ever done anything that he wasn’t sure of? I’m just going to the front line to stabilize the morale of the troops.” Yan Ruotong stood by, and although she didn’t say much, she couldn’t hide the worry in her eyes. She silently poured a bowl of soup for Lin Xiao and said, “Husband, be careful.” Liu Ruyan also said softly, “Sir, the north is bitterly cold, so please wear plenty of clothes. I’ve already packed your bag.” Pei Xueyi asked carefully, “Sir, the journey is long. Do you need me to prepare some snacks for us?” Several little ones also gathered around. Lin Rui raised his little fist and said, “Daddy, beat up the bad guys! Rui’er will help Daddy beat up the bad guys when he grows up!” Lin Xin hugged Lin Xiao’s arm and asked in a baby voice, “Daddy, what is the grassland? Is there anything delicious?” Lin Xiao laughed heartily and held his daughter in his arms. “The grasslands have vast expanses of grass and plenty of cattle and sheep. Once Daddy drives the bad guys away, I’ll take you to the grasslands to ride horses, okay?” “Good!” the children cheered in unison. Sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu stood aside, their eyes full of reluctance. Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang also looked at Lin Xiao silently, with worries in their hearts, but also with deep dependence and trust in this man. Nini held her belly, walked to Lin Xiao, and whispered, “Brother Lin Xiao, you must come back safely. The child and I are waiting for you.” Lin Xiao felt warm in his heart and put his arm around her shoulders: “Don’t worry, I will.” He knew that these women and children were his strongest support and his motivation to protect this land. The next day, Lin Xiao issued an order: “Order Wang Jian to temporarily assume the defense of Beiping County. Sun Mingde’s troops will rest and consolidate their defenses. Pass the order, lead the Second Division and depart immediately. Follow me to Beiping County and reunite with Sun Mingde’s troops!” “Yes!” The messenger took the order and left. The Second Division is a well trained elite infantry division in the Qinglin Army. It is equipped with the latest muskets and some light artillery, and has extremely strong mobility and combat effectiveness. A few days later, Lin Xiao led the vanguard of the Second Division and arrived at the border of Beiping County, where Sun Mingde had already been waiting. “Sir!” When Sun Mingde saw Lin Xiao, he hurried forward to salute. There was joy on his face for winning a battle, but there was also a hint of solemnity between his brows. “What’s the situation?” Lin Xiao dismounted and asked directly. Sun Mingde said, “Sir, according to the latest intelligence, the main force of the grasslands has not retreated despite Morigen’s defeat. Instead, they have sent reinforcements. I hear they’re led by a woman, Altan Khan’s daughter, named Agula, known as the grasslands’ greatest female general. She’s leading at least 30,000 cavalry, 6,000 of whom are her elite Snow Wolf Cavalry and Gray Wolf Iron Cavalry. They’re heading our way.” “Oh? A woman leading troops?” Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows, a playful smile playing on his lips. “Interesting. Not all the people on the grassland are reckless. Since she came to me, I will go and meet her in person.” Seeing Lin Xiao so relaxed, Sun Mingde felt more at ease. “Sir, Agula is said to be brave and good at fighting, and is much more cautious than Morigen. Should we…” Lin Xiao waved his hand: “When the enemy comes, we will fight them; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. Pass the order down, the entire army should prepare for battle, but without my order, the artillery must not be used lightly.” “This…” Sun Mingde was a little puzzled. Artillery was their greatest reliance in dealing with the grassland cavalry. Lin Xiao smiled but said nothing. He wanted to see what tricks this prairie princess could come up with without ever having experienced the baptism of modern artillery fire. Sometimes, hiding the sharpest knife can actually confuse the enemy. At the same time, dozens of miles north of Beiping County. Agula was wearing silver chain mail and a snow white wolfskin cloak, riding on a majestic black warhorse, holding a scimitar inlaid with gems, and leading an army of 30,000 grasslands, advancing southward in a mighty manner. Her army was completely different from Morigen’s somewhat disorganized vanguard. At the forefront were three thousand “Snow Wolf Riders”. The knights were dressed in white wolf skins, holding sharp spears and round shields. The war horses they rode were all grassland horses with excellent endurance. They moved like a white whirlwind. Following closely behind were three thousand “Gray Wolf Iron Cavalry”. These knights were dressed in dark blue heavy armor, holding heavy maces or sabers, and their horses were also covered in light armor. When they charged, they were like a black steel torrent, with terrifying momentum. These two elite cavalry units are Agula’s direct troops and one of the most elite forces under Altan Khan. Every soldier is a warrior who has experienced many battles. The remaining 20,000 or so cavalrymen were also elite soldiers drawn from various tribes. Although their equipment and discipline were slightly inferior to those of the Snow Wolf Cavalry and the Gray Wolf Iron Cavalry, the unique fierceness of the grassland people was not diminished in the slightest. Flags were waving, horses’ hooves were thundering, and the smoke and dust raised covered the sky. Agula’s sharp eyes scanned the surrounding terrain vigilantly. She learned the lesson of Morigen’s disastrous defeat due to underestimation of the enemy, and was very cautious throughout the march. Scouts were sent far away to keep a close eye on the movements of the southern army. “Princess, ten miles ahead is the defense line of the southerner Lin Xiao.” A scout reported on Pegasus. Agula reined in her horse and raised her hand to signal the army to halt its advance. She took out a map, examined it carefully, and asked the scouts for details about the southerners’ deployment. “Hmph, that idiot Morigen fell into trouble here.” Agula snorted coldly, with a hint of disdain in his eyes. She looked at the silent land in the south, a sneer on her lips: “Lin Xiao… I want to see what you are capable of, to dare to be an enemy of my grassland!” She did not launch a direct charge like Morigen did, but instead ordered the army to set up camp about five miles away from the Qinglin Army’s defense line, showing a calm attitude. Lin Xiao stood on a high place, observing the movements of the grassland army in the distance. Seeing that the other side was not in a hurry to attack, but began to set up camp calmly, he couldn’t help but smile. “It seems that this Agula is indeed smarter than Morigen.” He said to Sun Mingde beside him, “Pass the order, all units strictly defend their positions, and do not take the initiative to attack without my order. Let the soldiers eat and drink well and rest up. We have plenty of time to play with her.” Chapter 382: Catching a Turtle in a Jar The two armies faced each other for three days. Agula paced back and forth in the camp, with a hint of impatience on her pretty face. She originally thought that Lin Xiao would take the initiative to attack based on his initial victory, but she didn’t expect that the other party would be able to remain calm and just hold the defense line tightly. “Princess, Lin Xiao is hiding in his shell. Is he afraid of us?” a deputy general said in a muffled voice. Agula snorted coldly, “Afraid? I think he wants to use the same old trick to lure our army into advancing rashly. Mo Rigen suffered the same fate.” Even so, her anger grew even stronger. She didn’t come here to waste time with Lin Xiao. “Pass the order down. Tomorrow morning, the Snow Wolf Cavalry and the Gray Wolf Iron Cavalry will lead the charge and launch a tentative attack! I want to see just how strong Lin Xiao’s position is!” The next day, the dawn broke. “Woo ” The long and desolate sound of the horn broke the tranquility of the grassland. Thousands of grassland cavalrymen rushed towards the position like arrows, raising a cloud of dust. “Open fire!” Sun Mingde gave the order while standing behind the temporary earthen fort. The soldiers in the front row relied on the fortifications, and the muskets in their hands spewed out flames. Several rows of grassland cavalrymen at the front fell down, but the following cavalrymen still rushed forward fearlessly. Arrows and bullets whizzed back and forth from both sides, and shouts of killing shook the sky. Agula stood on a high point, observing the battlefield. Her brows knitted slightly. The southerners’ offensive seemed disorganized and more like a bluff . “Hmph, a mere trifle.” Agula sneered, “Order the front troops to meet the attack, and hit them hard!” The grassland cavalry surged out like a tide and collided with the infantry of the Qinglin Army. The shouts and cries of killing shook the sky. The Qinglin Army’s muskets fired sporadically, and their power seemed to have been reduced. The soldiers relied more on spears, swords and shields to fight, which seemed quite traditional. The battle lasted for about an hour, and the Qinglin Army was defeated and began to show signs of defeat. “Hold on! Hold on for me!” Sun Mingde waved his sword in front of the formation, shouting at the top of his lungs, veins bulging on his face, and he looked extremely embarrassed. However, a hole was still opened in the Qinglin Army’s defense line, and the soldiers began to flee backwards. “Princess! The southerners have been defeated! They have escaped!” the deputy general shouted excitedly. Morigen’s defeat had always made him furious. Now that he saw the Southern Army was defeated, he wanted to chase them down immediately. Agula’s eyes flashed. She saw that the flag of Lin Xiao’s army began to waver and retreated to the southeast, and the defeated soldiers also surged in that direction like a tide. “Southeast… is Eagle Sorrow Gorge!” said a scout beside Agula. “The terrain there is dangerous and not conducive to the deployment of our cavalry.” Agula’s mind moved. Could it be that Lin Xiao wanted to rely on the dangerous terrain of Yingchoujian to resist stubbornly? She looked at the panicked southern soldiers, then looked at Sun Mingde’s furious look, and the last trace of doubt in her heart gradually dissipated. In her opinion, Lin Xiaojun’s firearms were indeed sharp, but they seemed to be few in number, and once they got close, the southern infantry were no match for the grassland warriors. Morigen’s previous defeat must have been due to underestimating the enemy and being caught off guard by artillery fire. Now that Lin Xiao’s main force has been defeated, it is the perfect opportunity to annihilate them in one fell swoop and wash away the shame of the grassland! “Pass on my orders!” Agula waved his hand fiercely, his voice resolute and loud, “All forces, attack! Chase them northward, and make sure to annihilate Lin Xiao’s main force at Yingchou Gorge! The Snow Wolf Cavalry and the Gray Wolf Iron Cavalry will be the vanguard, break through their formation!” “Ouch!” The grassland soldiers let out excited wolf howls, like a pack of wolves that smelled blood, and chased after the fleeing Qinglin Army. Thirty thousand cavalrymen raised a cloud of dust, the sound of horse hooves was like thunder, and the earth was shaking. Agula took the lead, her black warhorse was like a flash of lightning, the scimitar in her hand flashed coldly in the morning light, and there was a determined smile on her face. “Lin Xiao, let’s see where you can escape this time!” The Qinglin Army was defeated step by step, abandoning their weapons and armor along the way, and was in a state of disgrace. Sun Mingde was in even greater danger. He was nearly hacked by the pursuing grassland cavalry several times. He was only able to escape thanks to the desperate protection of his personal soldiers. Agula led the army in pursuit for more than ten miles, and saw the entrance to the long and narrow Yingchou Gorge in front of them. There are steep cliffs on both sides of the valley, and there is only a rugged path in the middle, which can only accommodate a few riders. “Princess, the terrain of Yingchoujian is complicated, should we…” the counselor reminded again. “That’s all right!” Agula was now blinded by her desire for victory. She looked at the banner of the Lin Xiao army still fleeing in panic not far ahead and sneered, “They’re already at the end of their rope. We can just trap them in Yingchou Gorge and wipe them out in one fell swoop! Could they possibly still fly or dodge?” She shouted sternly, “Snow Wolf Cavalry, Gray Wolf Cavalry, charge in! Don’t let a single southern barbarian escape!” Six thousand elite cavalrymen rushed into Yingchou Gorge like two torrents. Agula personally led the main force and followed closely behind. The army was like a long snake, winding its way into this natural pocket. The further we chased, the narrower the valley became and the dimmer the light became. The fleeing Qinglin Army seemed to have vanished out of thin air, leaving no trace. Agula suddenly felt a little uneasy. She reined in her horse and was about to order a temporary halt to the pursuit. Right now! “boom!” A deafening roar, like thunder exploding from the sky, came from the mountain walls on both sides of the valley! Immediately afterwards, there were roars one after another! “BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” Agula only felt that the ground beneath his feet was shaking violently and his eardrums were buzzing. She looked up in horror, only to see countless black gun muzzles suddenly appearing on the mountain walls on both sides! Flames spewed out, and black iron balls slammed into the crowded grassland cavalry with a whistling sound! “ah !” The shrill screams instantly resounded throughout the valley. The steppe cavalry were thrown to the ground, blood and flesh flying everywhere. Their hard iron armor was as fragile as paper in the face of the shells. Their horses were blown to pieces, and their knights were thrown back by the shockwaves, falling heavily to the ground, their lives unknown. “We’ve fallen into a trap! We’ve fallen into a trap!” Agula’s face was pale and her eyes were bloodshot. She finally understood that Lin Xiao’s previous defeat was all a disguise! “Retreat! Retreat quickly!” she screamed, but her voice was drowned out by the huge sound of artillery. However, it was too late. “Bang bang bang bang bang!” On both sides of the mountain, not only artillery, but also countless muskets were simultaneously firing. A dense rain of bullets poured down, mowing down the already chaotic grassland cavalry in droves. In the narrow ravine, the cavalry could not disperse or evade, nor could they organize an effective counterattack. Their proud horse archery was completely useless in such an environment. The cavalry in the front wanted to retreat, and the cavalry in the back wanted to advance. In an instant, they were squeezed together and the situation became a mess. “Heavenly fire! This is heavenly fire!” “Devils! They are devils!” Had the warriors of the grasslands ever witnessed such a terrifying sight? The “thunder” and “fire” that descended from the sky, to them, were clearly the wrath of the gods, an insurmountable sorcery! Their courage and ferocity were crushed in front of the firepower network carefully prepared by Lin Xiao. Fear spread like a plague. All the grassland cavalry lost their will to fight and only wanted to escape from this hellish canyon. But it is easy to get into Yingchoujian but difficult to get out. Lin Xiao stood high up on the side of Yingchou Gorge, looking down with indifference at the hellish scene below. Sun Mingde stood beside him, his face no longer visibly distraught, replaced by a look of contentment. “Sir, this prairie princess is probably about to cry.” Sun Mingde chuckled. Lin Xiao raised his lips slightly and said, “Tell the soldiers not to be stingy with their ammunition. Today, let these prairie wolves have a good taste of despair.” The sound of cannons and gunfire still echoed in Yingchou Gorge, accompanied by the wails of the dying and the roars of despair. Chapter 382 Beauty’s Anger In Yingchoujian, the sounds of cannons and gunfire gradually became sparse, and the thick smoke and the smell of blood mixed together, making people sick. The 30,000 grassland cavalrymen who were originally so powerful were now covered with broken limbs and corpses, and the wailing sounds were endless. The stone walls of the valley were blackened by the artillery fire, the ground was muddy, and blood gathered into thin streams. The warhorse under Agula had already been hit by a stray bullet and fell down with a cry. She herself was also knocked to the ground, covered in mud and blood, her helmet was askew, her hair was disheveled, and she looked in a miserable state. She looked at the tragic scene around her. Her beautiful and bright face turned pale as paper, and the hand holding the scimitar trembled slightly uncontrollably. The Snow Wolf Cavalry, her father Khan’s most elite Canglang Iron Cavalry, which she was so proud of, had been almost… annihilated! Of the mighty army of 30,000, there were probably less than 3,000 still standing, and all of them were wounded, their morale completely shattered. What a terrifying fighting force! The fireballs that rained down from the sky like the wrath of a god, the impenetrable, unavoidable rain of bullets—no flesh and blood could possibly withstand them. She had grown up on the grasslands, accustomed to witnessing the most valiant warriors and experiencing the most brutal battles, but she had never imagined that war could be fought like this. Lin Xiao stood on a high point, observing everything with cold eyes. He waited until there was no more organized resistance in the ravine before he slowly raised his hand and said, “Cease fire.” “Pass the order down, surround the remaining troops, and kill anyone who dares to resist!” “Yes!” The Qinglin Army soldiers responded in unison, their voices loud and uniform, full of confidence. They began to descend from the mountain walls on both sides, closing the encirclement swiftly and orderly, the muskets in their hands flashing with a cold metallic luster. Agula looked at the Qinglin Army soldiers who seemed to have descended from the sky. They were well equipped, had stern expressions, and moved with a heart pounding discipline. They were completely different from the Zhou Dynasty official army in her impression, which was weak and prone to collapse at the slightest touch. Despair, like an icy tide, instantly drowned her. She was defeated, so completely and miserably, without even a chance to fight back. Her father Khan’s expectations, the glory of the tribe, and her own ambitions were all crushed in this Eagle Gorge. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes piercing through the gradually dissipating smoke, and stared at the figure standing high on the mountain wall Lin Xiao. He was still wearing an ordinary looking green robe, standing with his hands behind his back, his sleeves fluttering slightly in the mountain breeze. His expression was so indifferent, as if the extremely brutal massacre just now was just an insignificant fireworks display. This is the man! An extreme anger and unwillingness, mixed with deep seated fear and humiliation, erupted violently from Agula’s heart like a volcano. She couldn’t just give in! She was the princess of the steppes, the daughter of Altan Khan! Even if it meant death, she would drag this devil with her to avenge the fallen warriors! “Lin—Xiao—!” Agula let out a sharp and shrill roar, his voice distorted and hoarse due to extreme anger. “I will kill you! To avenge my grassland warriors!” Her voice echoed in the valley, with a determination to perish together with her . Seeing this, several Qinglin Army soldiers immediately raised their guns and wanted to shoot, but Lin Xiao raised his hand to stop them. He looked at Agula who was rushing towards him like crazy, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Agula was extremely fast and rushed to the front in a blink of an eye. The scimitar in his hand made a sharp sound and slashed directly at Lin Xiao’s face. She poured all her strength and anger into this knife, determined to die together with Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao stood in place, moving slightly. At the moment when the scimitar was about to hit his body, he stretched out his hand calmly. “clang!” There was a crisp sound of metal clashing. Agula only felt her wrist go numb, and a huge force came. The scimitar in her hand was firmly clamped by Lin Xiao’s two fingers, and it could no longer move forward! How is that possible?! Agula’s eyes were filled with disbelief. Even the bravest warrior on the grassland wouldn’t dare to take her blow head on. This seemingly gentle southerner actually… Lin Xiao’s fingers shifted slightly. “Crack!” The scimitar made of fine steel broke with a sound! Lin Xiao took a step forward and gently patted Agula’s shoulder. Agula only felt a sudden force coming, and he fell backwards involuntarily, hitting the ground with a “thump”. The helmet on her head rolled to the side due to this violent movement, and her long, shiny black hair spread out like a waterfall, revealing a face that was both exotic and breathtakingly beautiful. It was a well defined oval face with skin as white as snow, but it was stained red with anger and shame. Under the high nose bridge, there are tightly pursed red lips, and a pair of eyes as bright as stars are burning with rage at this moment, staring at Lin Xiao fiercely. Even though she is in a mess, it is hard to conceal her stunning beauty and unyielding heroism. Even Lin Xiao, who was used to seeing stunning beauties like Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi, was slightly startled when he saw her face clearly. This prairie princess Agula is indeed a rare and stunning beauty, with a wildness and heroism that is not found in women from the Central Plains. At this moment, the long lost system prompt sound rang in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Ding! Special character Agula (Pearl of the Grassland, daughter of Altan Khan) detected. She meets the binding conditions. Do you want to bind?] Lin Xiao’s mind moved slightly: “Bind.” [Ding! Agula has been successfully bound! Current favorability: 0.] “Tie her up.” Lin Xiao ordered calmly. Immediately, two Qinglin Army soldiers came forward, took out ropes, and tried to tie up Agula. “Let me go! You despicable southerners! Kill me if you have the guts!” Agula struggled hard like a trapped female leopard, but her strength was nothing compared to the strong soldiers, and she was soon tied up. “Lin Xiao! You will not die a good death! My father Khan will definitely avenge me! The warriors of the grassland will cut you into pieces and raze your territory to the ground!” Agula was tied tightly, but he still roared unyieldingly, his voice a little hoarse with anger. Lin Xiao walked up to her and looked down at her with a hint of mockery and disdain in his eyes: “Revenge? Cut into pieces?” He chuckled, but his tone suddenly turned cold. “It won’t be long before I flatten your grasslands and burn your father Khan’s royal tent. Then you can see for yourself who will tear whom into pieces.” Agula met Lin Xiao’s deep and cold eyes. His eyes were calm, yet seemed to contain endless chillness and murderous intent, which made her shiver involuntarily. She couldn’t see any hesitation in her eyes, only a firmness as if declaring a fact. At this moment, for the first time, an emotion called “fear” surged in Agula’s heart. Chapter 384 Jingmen County The great victory at Yingchoujian, in which 30,000 grassland cavalry were almost wiped out and the news that Princess Agula was captured alive, spread quickly throughout Lin Xiao’s territory like a gust of wind. Lin Xiao did not stay in the joy of victory for too long. He knew very well that this was only the prelude to a full scale war with the steppes. Altan Khan would never give up, and a larger scale bloody battle was inevitable. Beiping County, County Magistrate’s Office. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, and below him were core members including Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, and Zhang Fuan. Having just experienced a great victory, everyone’s faces were filled with excitement, but more importantly, they were looking forward to the next action. “The battle at Yingchoujian knocked a lot of the grassland army’s spirit away, but their main force is still there.” Lin Xiao lightly tapped the map , landing on “Jingmen County,” which bordered Beiping County to the east. “Our next step is to recapture Jingmen County.” Jingmen County was also a lost territory captured by the grassland army. It has an important strategic location and is another gateway for the grassland army to pass through. “Sun Mingde.” “I am here!” Sun Mingde stood up and spoke in a voice as loud as a bell. “You lead a division and reorganize immediately. Three days later, you will march to Jingmen County. Remember, fight quickly and decisively to minimize casualties and damage to the city.” Lin Xiao ordered. “Yes! I guarantee to complete the task!” Sun Mingde accepted the order. “Wang Jian.” “I will be here!” “You will lead the Second Division and temporarily station them in Beiping County. On the one hand, you must consolidate the defense line, and on the other hand, you must not slack off in the training of the new recruits.” “clear!” “Li Dequan, Song Qinghe.” “I’m here.” The two of them stood up together. “Once Jingmen County is taken, civil affairs will be immediately addressed. As usual, appease the people, open granaries to distribute grain, reduce taxes, and restore people’s livelihoods as quickly as possible. Those harmed by the grassland people must be properly resettled.” Lin Xiao’s gaze swept over the two of them. “I need Jingmen County to be stabilized as quickly as possible and serve as a solid base for our continued northward advance.” Li Dequan nodded solemnly: “Brother Lin Xiao, don’t worry. We are familiar with these matters and will ensure that they are handled properly.” Song Qinghe added, “My Lord, the official system in Jingmen County must have collapsed. We will send capable personnel as soon as possible to restore order.” “Zhang Fuan.” “Brother Xiao!” Zhang Fuan grinned. “Logistics and military equipment replenishment must be guaranteed. Additionally, if Jingmen County has any available craftsmen or minerals, please report them and resume production as soon as possible.” “Don’t worry, Brother Xiao. I will ensure that the soldiers on the front line have enough ammunition and are well fed and clothed!” Zhang Fuan promised, patting his chest. As the army set out, Zhao Wu, as a new recruit under Sun Mingde, also went to Jingmen County with the army. Along the way, whenever Zhao Wu encountered civilians fleeing from Jingmen County, he would approach them and cautiously ask, “Uncle, aunt, have you seen a girl named Zhao Xiaocao? She’s about this tall, with big eyes…” The responses I got were mostly shakes of the head or vague memories. In the midst of war, everyone was busy taking care of themselves, so who could possibly remember an ordinary little girl? Zhao Wu’s heart sank little by little, but he did not give up. He firmly believed that as long as Lin Xiao’s army continued to advance and as long as they could recover more lost territory, he would have a chance to find his sister. Lin Xiao’s army was like a rotten wood that could be crushed to pieces. The grassland defenders of Jingmen County had already been frightened by the disastrous defeat at Yingchoujian. Upon hearing that the Qinglin Army was coming, they abandoned the city and fled without putting up any decent resistance. Sun Mingde led his army into Jingmen County smoothly. The city was in ruins. Traces of looting were visible everywhere on the streets, many houses were burned down, the people were pale and thin, and their eyes were filled with fear and numbness. But when they saw that the Qinglin Army had strict discipline and did not harm anyone, and that they began to post notices to reassure the people and set up porridge stalls to distribute porridge, a glimmer of light gradually appeared in those dead eyes. Zhao Xiaocao curled up in a corner of a dilapidated land temple, listening to the noise outside that gradually turned from noisy to orderly, her heart filled with uneasiness. The days when the grassland people occupied Jingmen County were like a nightmare to her. She witnessed with her own eyes the brutal soldiers burning, killing, and looting, destroying her home beyond recognition. She barely managed to survive by hiding from place to place and eating whatever scraps she could find. She missed her brother Zhao Wu so much. She wondered where he had escaped to and whether he was still alive. “The food has been distributed! County Magistrate Lin sent troops to drive away the Tartars from the grasslands and has distributed food to us!” “Someone has been sent to clean the well, so we’ll have clean water to drink from now on!” “I heard they’re hiring people to repair the house, and they’ll provide food, lodging, and wages!” The sounds outside, with uncontrollable joy, gradually reached Zhao Xiaocao’s ears. County Magistrate Lin? Is he the legendary Lin Xiaolin, the one who could summon the wind and rain and make the people of the grassland cry for their parents? Zhao Xiaocao quietly stuck her head out and saw soldiers in brand new uniforms maintaining order and distributing food on the street. Their faces were not fierce, but rather gentle. Some people in clean official uniforms were registering the people’s information and asking about their difficulties. At the street corners, some people even started to clean up the accumulated garbage, and some were inspecting the damaged roads, apparently preparing to repair them. This is a world of difference from the situation a few days ago when the grassland people were rampant and treated human lives as worthless. Zhao Xiaocao was so hungry that she felt dizzy and hesitated for a long time. Finally, she mustered up the courage and followed the crowd to the porridge stall. After eating the hot rice porridge, a warm feeling flowed through my body. She looked at the people around her who were also holding bowls of porridge and had long lost smiles on their faces, and at the busy but orderly Qinglin Army soldiers and officials. Her eyes became hot and tears flowed unconsciously. Is this the change brought about by County Magistrate Lin Xiao? very nice. It would be great if my brother could see this scene too. She had heard that the territory of Lin Xiao, the prefect, was called Qinglin County, and that the people there lived like gods, without oppression or hunger, and everyone lived and worked in peace and contentment. Now, was Jingmen County also going to become like that? Zhao Xiaocao’s heart was filled with endless gratitude and admiration for the County Magistrate Lin Xiao, whom she had never met before. She prayed silently, hoping that her brother Zhao Wu would be safe and sound, and that she could be reunited with her brother as soon as possible and live a good life together. Zhao Xiaocao clenched her fists, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She believed that day would definitely come. Chapter 385 Brother and Sister Reunited Within Jingmen County, order was rapidly restored under the Qinglin Army’s rule. Zhao Wu, dressed in his military uniform, chest puffed out, walked through the streets, which were gradually regaining their vitality. He had not forgotten his most important mission—to find his sister, Zhao Xiaocao. Whenever he had a break from patrol or rest, he would ask the refugees he met. Hard work pays off. After a few days, he was able to find several fellow villagers who had escaped from the same area. “Brother Zhao Wu, that Xiaocao you mentioned… I seem to have some impression of her. Is she the girl with a small mole on her forehead and very big eyes?” A middle aged man with a pale face recalled. Zhao Wu’s heart tightened, and he nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes, yes! It’s her! Uncle, where have you seen her?” “It should be in the dilapidated temple in the south of the city. There’s a land temple over there, and many people are hiding there.” When Zhao Wu heard this, great hope ignited in his heart. After thanking him, he immediately asked for leave from his superior and hurried towards the land temple in the south of the city. The land temple was in a dilapidated state, and was crowded with many skinny refugees. Zhao Wu immediately saw Zhao Xiaocao, who was huddled in the corner, hugging her knees, with a dirty little face but still looking pretty. “Xiaocao!” Zhao Wu’s voice trembled. The thin figure was shocked and raised his head slowly. When he saw who it was, his big eyes were confused at first, then disbelief, and finally turned into torrents of tears. “Brother…Brother!” Zhao Xiaocao stood up suddenly and stumbled towards Zhao Wu. “Xiaocao!” Zhao Wu hugged his lost and found sister tightly, tears in his eyes. The brother and sister hugged each other and cried, venting their fear, worry and longing for the past few days. After a long time, Zhao Xiaocao raised her head from her brother’s arms and looked at Zhao Wu with tears in her eyes. When she saw Zhao Wu’s neat military uniform and the weapon worn around his waist, surprise appeared in her eyes. “Brother, you…what are you doing?” Zhao Wu wiped his face and smiled proudly, “Xiao Cao, I’m a member of the Qinglin Army now! I’m a soldier under County Magistrate Lin Xiao!” “Lin Junshu’s soldiers?” Zhao Xiaocao’s eyes lit up, his tone filled with admiration. “Brother, you’re amazing! I heard that Lin Junshu is really powerful. It was he who led the troops to drive away those damned grassland Tartars, distributed food to us, and allowed us to live in peace!” She pulled Zhao Wu and chattered about what she had seen and heard in Jingmen County in the past few days. From how the Qinglin Army did not harm anyone, to how the officials registered the victims, distributed porridge and medicine, to how the city began to clean up the streets and repair houses, everything revealed new life and hope. “Brother, you don’t know, the people sent by County Magistrate Lin are really good! They are not like those officials in the past, they really treat us as human beings! Now many people in the city say that County Magistrate Lin is a god sent down from heaven to save people from suffering!” Zhao Xiaocao’s face was filled with sincere admiration. “I used to always hear people say how great Qinglin County was. Now I know that any place governed by Lin County will become just as good!” Zhao Wu was filled with emotion when he heard what his sister said. He nodded vigorously. “That’s right! County Magistrate Lin is not only a good warrior, but also a good ruler! Your brother and I have seen firsthand how powerful our army is. Those grassland barbarians are no match for us! Moreover, the County Magistrate has said that we must recapture all lost territory and drive out the grassland people completely so that all of us ordinary people can live a good life!” He touched Zhao Xiaocao’s head, his eyes firm: “Xiaocao, from now on, with me and County Magistrate Lin here, we will never be bullied again!” Zhao Xiaocao nodded heavily, her eyes flashing with longing for the future. At the same time, at Lin Xiao’s residence. The captured Agula did not become depressed because of the defeat. Instead, he was like a trapped female leopard, thinking about how to escape every day. She was born into a noble family and had never suffered such humiliation. Being imprisoned in Lin Xiao’s mansion, every moment was torment for her. That day, she tried to pry open the window again but failed. She was so angry that she paced back and forth in the room, cursing Lin Xiao in grassland dialect. Just at this moment, Lin Xiao finished processing the latest batch of civil affairs reports sent by Jingmen County, and thought of this restless grassland princess, so he walked over to take a look. “It seems that Her Royal Highness the Princess is very energetic.” Lin Xiao’s voice came faintly. Agula turned around and saw Lin Xiao standing at the door with his hands behind his back. Anger instantly ignited in his eyes: “Lin Xiao! You despicable southerner! Kill me if you dare. How can you be a hero if you lock me up here!” Lin Xiao walked into the room and looked at her calmly, as if he was looking at an object rather than a living person. “Killing you? That’s too easy for you.” Lin Xiao walked to the table and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea. “I kept you alive because I wanted you to see with your own eyes how your father, the Khan, and your grasslands trembled under my feet.” “Don’t even think about it!” Agula shouted angrily, “My father, the Khan, will lead the grassland warriors to flatten your territory and tear you into pieces. Save me!” Lin Xiao picked up the teacup and blew away the hot steam gently, a cold arc appearing on the corner of his mouth: “Really? I’m looking forward to it. However, Your Highness, I advise you to stay calm. If you try to escape again, or cause any trouble…” He paused, then looked up at Agula, his gaze suddenly becoming as sharp as a knife. “When my army enters the grasslands, I will issue an order to leave no one alive. Do you believe it?” Agula met his bottomless eyes, which contained no trace of joking, only a cold murderous intent. Her heart trembled, but she forced herself to remain calm and said, “Who…who are you trying to scare? We grassland warriors won’t be afraid!” Lin Xiao chuckled, said no more, slowly drank the tea in the cup, and stood up to leave. Looking at Lin Xiao’s departing back, Agula clenched his fists tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh. After a few days, the civil affairs of Jingmen County were basically back on track, and the lives of the people in the city gradually settled down. The team of officials dispatched by Li Dequan and Song Qinghe was extremely efficient, various policies were implemented smoothly, and the people quickly won over. Lin Xiao received various reports from the front and the rear and nodded with satisfaction. He convened a meeting with core generals such as Sun Mingde and Wang Jian, as well as Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, Zhang Fuan and others. “Jingmen County is stable, and the grassland army is severely damaged.” Lin Xiao’s finger slowly moved across the map, finally landing on several counties north of Jingmen County. “Time waits for no one. We must seize this victory and continue north to reclaim all the land occupied by the grassland!” Everyone was cheered up when they heard this. “Pass on my orders!” Lin Xiao stood up, his voice steady and powerful. “Sun Mingde, once your troops have finished their rest, immediately lead the First Division as the main force and march north along the official road. Our goal is to recapture Yanmen County! Wang Jian, you will lead the Second Division as the left wing. From the west, we will capture Yunzhong County and form a pincer attack with the First Division, supporting each other!” “Yes!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian responded in unison, their eyes full of fighting spirit. “Li Dequan, Song Qinghe, you will continue to be responsible for the civil administration, pacification, and reconstruction work in the newly recovered areas. You must restore order and reassure the people as quickly as possible.” “Don’t worry, my lord!” “Zhang Fuan, there must be no omissions in the supply of weapons and fodder. At the same time, organize a team of craftsmen to accompany the army and be ready to repair the city defenses and set up temporary workshops at any time.” “Yes, sir!” everyone shouted in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles. Countless supplies of food, fodder, and weapons converged on the front lines, and teams of soldiers, high spirited, marched out of camp, embarking on a new journey. The clarion call to reclaim lost territory sounded once again. Chapter 386 Three Hundred Thousand Cavalry The grassland occupies the mansion. Chanyu Altan Khan was holding a leg of lamb and laughing heartily with the leaders of the tribes sitting under him. At that moment, a scout rushed into the hall, tumbling to his knees. He thumped and cried out in a trembling voice, “Great Khan! This is bad! Princess Agula… the princess… she’s been captured alive by Lin Xiao!” The noisy hall suddenly became silent. The smile on Altan Khan’s face froze, and his hand holding the leg of lamb froze in mid air. “What did you say?” His voice was terribly low. “In the battle of Yingchoujian, we… our 30,000 warriors… were almost wiped out, and Her Royal Highness the Princess… was captured!” The scout kowtowed repeatedly, not daring to look up. “Bang!” Altan Khan slammed the lamb leg in his hand to the ground, and the golden wine glass was flattened by him, splashing the wine everywhere. A violent rage erupted from him, and the temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop. “Lin—Xiao—!” Altan Khan roared, his eyes red and veins bulging on his forehead. “How dare a southerner like you insult me like this! Insult my grassland!” Under the seat, the general Huyan Ba stood up with a bang, furious. “Great Khan! That Lin Xiao not only captured the princess, but also seized Jingmen Commandery. He is now leading his army northward, intent on reclaiming the lands we have conquered piece by piece! If we don’t avenge this, where will the dignity of us grassland warriors be!” “Report! You must report!” Altan Khan kicked over the table in front of him, sending the fruits and dishes rolling to the floor. “Send my royal decree! Gather the warriors of all tribes! I want three hundred thousand cavalry! Three hundred thousand!” He looked around at all the tribal leaders in the tent and said in a hoarse and brutal voice, “I will lead the expedition myself! I will flatten his territory and chop that bastard Lin Xiao into minced meat and feed it to the dogs! I will turn all the men under his rule into slaves, and all the women into playthings for my grassland warriors!” “Crush Lin Xiao! Blood debt must be paid with blood!” Huyan Ba raised his arms and shouted. “Blood debt must be paid with blood!” The entire hall was filled with outrage, and the shouts of killing shook the earth. At the same time, in Jingmen County, the County Magistrate’s Mansion. Lin Xiao had just finished processing the civil affairs report sent by Li Dequan from Jingmen County. The report said that the people’s hearts had been initially stabilized and various reconstruction work was proceeding in an orderly manner. A faint smile appeared on Lin Xiao’s face. Just then, an official from the Intelligence Department walked in quickly with a serious expression. “Sir, urgent news from the grassland.” “Speak.” Lin Xiao picked up the teacup and took a sip. “Altan Khan has learned of Agula’s capture. Furious, he has issued a royal decree to assemble 300,000 troops from the steppes. He will lead them personally and they are heading towards our border.” After the words were spoken, the meeting room fell silent. Three hundred thousand troops! This number weighed on everyone’s heart like a mountain. Even Sun Mingde and Wang Jian, who had absolute confidence in the Qinglin Army’s combat capabilities, couldn’t help but look serious. This is almost the power of the entire grassland. “Three hundred thousand? He thinks highly of me.” Lin Xiao put down the teacup, his tone still calm, as if he was talking about a trivial matter. He walked to the huge sand table map and looked at the black arrow representing the grassland army with deep eyes. Sun Mingde stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, “Brother Xiao! Why should we be afraid of him? We have artillery and muskets, and we can use them to test their power! I, a general, will serve as the vanguard of the army!” Wang Jian was not to be outdone: “Sir, the First Division has fought continuously and it’s time to rest. This time, the Second Division will lead the attack!” “Alright, stop arguing.” Lin Xiao waved his hand, his eyes sweeping over all the core members present. “Altan Khan has come out in full force , which is exactly what I want. Instead of gnawing on him piecemeal, it’s better to decide the outcome in one battle and completely cripple his main force, putting an end to it once and for all.” He stretched out his finger and pressed hard on an open plain on the map. “We won’t wait for him.” Lin Xiao’s voice was quiet, but it reached everyone clearly, carrying an unquestionable determination. “Pass my order, mobilize the entire army! I will personally lead the First and Second Divisions, as well as all artillery battalions, totaling 80,000 elite troops, and march north to meet his 300,000 cavalry right here at ‘Luomapo’!” Lead the army in person! Take the initiative to fight! Eighty thousand versus three hundred thousand! In the conference room, everyone’s blood was instantly ignited. The pressure that had been lingering in his heart just now was swept away, replaced by a soaring fighting spirit and absolute conviction in Lin Xiao. “We swear to follow you until death!” Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and others knelt on one knee, their voices as loud as a bell. “This battle, we must not only win, but win big!” Lin Xiao looked at everyone, his eyes as sharp as an eagle. “If we have to fight, we must break the backbone of the grassland and make them dare not take another step south!” “Break their spines!” everyone shouted in unison, their momentum soaring. Capital city, imperial palace. The news that the grassland princess Agula was captured alive by Lin Xiao and that the grassland Chanyu Altan Khan assembled an army of 300,000 to prepare for a decisive battle also spread here. In the Yangxin Palace, Li Yan had just completed an exquisite wooden mechanical bird and was playing with it proudly in his hands. After listening to the eunuch’s report, the smug look on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by an extremely complicated expression. “Three hundred thousand troops? Those barbarians from the grasslands really spent a fortune…” He muttered, then gloated. “Hmph, that Lin Xiao is so ignorant of his own limitations, he actually dared to capture the Chanyu’s daughter alive. Now he’s in trouble, hasn’t he? Better let those barbarians put a damper on his arrogance!” But on second thought, he frowned again. What if…what if Lin Xiao really loses? After defeating Lin Xiao, the 300,000 wolf like and tiger like cavalry from the grassland would have the capital as their next target, right? “I’m so annoyed!” Li Yan threw the wooden bird in his hand to the ground in frustration. “Let them fight! It would be best if both sides were defeated. I can just sit back and reap the benefits!” And in Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan listened quietly to the report from her personal maid, and the silk thread embroidering mandarin ducks in her hand paused slightly. The man’s figure involuntarily appeared in her mind. An army of three hundred thousand does sound terrifying. But for some reason, she had an inexplicable confidence in Lin Xiao. “I hope… he can win.” Liu Weilan murmured softly. In the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Zhou Mubai did not sleep all night. He stood at the study window, looking to the north, his old face full of worry. This battle between Lin Xiao and Cao Yuan will directly determine the fate of the Great Zhou for the next hundred years. If he wins, Lin Xiao will become too powerful to be eliminated and become a greater threat than Cao Yuan. If we lose, the Great Zhou…the day of its demise is not far away. He sighed deeply, feeling completely drained. How much longer could this precarious nation hold out? Chapter 387: A Battle to Decide the End Luomapo, with its open and flat terrain, is an ideal battlefield for cavalry charges. At this moment, this plain was occupied by two armies of vastly different sizes. To the north lay the vast, black mass of the grassland coalition army, stretching as far as the eye could see. Three hundred thousand cavalrymen converged into a sea of men and horses, their banners like a forest, their swords and spears like waves of wheat. The cacophony of shouts and the neighing of horses mingled, soaring into the sky. Standing in front of the battle formation, sitting astride an extremely majestic Ferghana horse, Altan Khan was wearing golden chain mail, holding a scimitar, with a smile of contempt and cruelty on his face. “Is that all the men?” Altan Khan turned to look at Huyan Ba beside him and laughed out loud. “Did Lin Xiao gather all the men under his rule? Eighty thousand men are not even enough to fill the gaps in my three hundred thousand warriors!” Huyan Ba licked his cracked lips, his eyes flashing with bloodthirsty light. “Khan, there’s no need to waste time talking to them! Let me lead the vanguard and charge for a while. I will definitely bring Lin Xiao’s head back for you!” “No.” Altan Khan shook his head, a glint of cruelty flashing in his eyes. “I will watch with my own eyes as my warriors, like a tidal wave, completely drown them and crush them into pulp! I will make that ignorant Lin Xiao die in despair and fear!” He raised the scimitar in his hand high, and the blade reflected a dazzling cold light in the sunlight. “Warriors of the grasslands!” Altan Khan’s voice was like thunder, echoing over the entire army. “Charge! Crush them! The city, the wealth, the women, all are yours!” “roar!!” The 300,000 strong army roared like a tsunami. The next moment, Altan Khan swung his scimitar forward suddenly. “charge!” “Boom! Boom! Boom!” The dull sound of war drums rang out and the earth began to tremble violently. Like a floodgate, three hundred thousand cavalrymen launched a devastating charge towards Lin Xiao’s army, stirring up clouds of dust. Their unrivaled momentum was enough to shatter the hearts and minds of any army. However, in the south. The square formation of 80,000 Qinglin soldiers was like a piece of silent black reef, motionless. At the very front were rows of huge iron pipes flashing with cold metallic light, with the black muzzles pointing obliquely at the sky. Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back on a high platform in front of the formation, looking calmly at the wave of death that was sweeping over him. The grassland cavalry was getting closer and closer, and I could already see the hideous smiles on their faces and the cruel light in their eyes. Five miles. Three miles. One mile. The entire grassland army formation has completely entered the optimal range of the artillery. Lin Xiao finally raised his hand slowly. “fire.” Two words, understated, but like the final verdict of death. The order was passed down quickly. “fire!” The commander of the artillery camp roared at the top of his lungs. “BOOM! … Hundreds of artillery pieces roared deafeningly at the same time! In an instant, the heaven and earth shook, and countless black spots whizzed through the sky, with sharp screams, like meteorites falling from the sky , slamming heavily into the grassland army formation that was charging at high speed. The next second, hell descended. The grassland cavalry at the front were torn to pieces by the huge explosion before they could even react to what it was. Balls of orange red flames exploded in the dense crowd, and mud, gravel, limbs and broken arms were lifted into the sky by the terrifying shock wave and then fell like rain. The solid formation was torn into hundreds of bloody gaps in an instant, and people and horses fell to the ground. The screams of pain and the cries of war horses instantly drowned out the shouts of charge. Those grassland warriors who claimed to be brave and invincible felt the “power of heaven” for the first time. “The gods are angry!” “What kind of sorcery is this! Eternal Heaven!” “Devils! They are devils!” Fear spread through the army like a plague. The wild laughter on Altan Khan’s face froze. He looked at the scene in front of him in disbelief, which seemed like a divine punishment, and his mind went blank. “Hold on! Hold on!” Hu Yanba’s eyes were bloodshot as he roared, brandishing his mace. “They’re just some firecrackers that go off! They’re outnumbered, so we can win if we charge! Keep charging! Kill them all!” Under his strong order, the subsequent cavalry bypassed those grinding areas and continued to charge forward. On the high platform, Lin Xiao watched this scene without any fluctuation in his eyes, and gave orders again. “Second salvo, fire!” “Boom—!” Another round of devastating artillery fire. The grassland army’s charge formation became more chaotic, and they suffered heavy casualties. Immediately afterwards, Lin Xiao’s third order was issued. “Front troops, free fire!” “Crack! Crack!” In the infantry formation of the Qinglin Army, which had been ready for a long time, the first three rows of soldiers squatted down together, revealing the black muzzles of the guns of the soldiers in the back rows. “Fire!” “Bang bang bang bang bang—!” The dense and crisp sound of gunfire, like frying beans, formed a symphony of death. A metal storm composed of thousands of bullets instantly swept over the grassland cavalry that rushed forward. Blood flowers continued to bloom among the crowd. The cavalry at the forefront fell in droves like wheat reaped by a sickle, their leather armor as thin as paper before the musket bullets. Huyan Ba was waving his mace, ready to force a hole in the wall. He bravely knocked away several shields of the Qinglin Army. He was about to laugh wildly when he suddenly felt a chill in his chest. He looked down and saw a bloody hole growing larger on his solid chest. “How…how…” Before he could finish his words, several more bullets pierced his back. Without even a single final word, the notorious grassland general fell from his horse, crushed to a pulp by the chaotic hooves of the following horses. The death of the main general was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The charge turned into a rout. The grassland warriors completely collapsed. They screamed in terror, turned their horses’ heads, and just wanted to escape from this Shura hell. Altan Khan’s face was ashen and his whole body was shaking like a sieve. An army of three hundred thousand…his most proud grassland cavalry…just like that…gone? He looked at the southern army that had not moved an inch from beginning to end but just kept spewing out tongues of fire, and there was only endless fear in his heart. “Run! Run!” This arrogant Khan of the grassland was more decisive than anyone else at this moment. He pulled the reins of his horse hard and fled towards the north without looking back. On the battlefield, seeing that the commander in chief and the Chanyu had fled, the remaining grassland soldiers no longer had the will to fight. They dropped their weapons and knelt down in surrender. Sun Mingde looked at the direction where Altan Khan fled, his eyes red, and hurriedly asked Lin Xiao for help: “Brother Xiao! That Tartar leader has escaped! Let me lead a team to chase him and tear his head off!” Lin Xiao just waved his hand lightly. “No need.” He looked at the devastated battlefield and said calmly, “Don’t pursue a desperate enemy. He’s already a lost dog, and can’t make any waves.” Lin Xiao’s gaze swept over the trembling captives who were kneeling in surrender, and his voice was clearly heard throughout the venue. “Pass the order down, clean up the battlefield, collect the prisoners, and treat the wounded.” In this battle, the backbone of the grassland has been completely broken. Chapter 388 The World is Shocked In the Battle of Luomapo, 80,000 Qinglin troops faced 300,000 grassland cavalry and won a crushing victory. This news seemed to have grown wings and spread throughout the Great Zhou at an incredible speed. Capital city. Li Yan was concentrating on painting a newly carved wooden beauty, a smile of fascination and satisfaction on his face. He thought he had captured the beauty’s features and eyebrows, making them far more charming than those of the vulgar women in the palace. A eunuch rushed in, his face a mixture of fear and ecstasy, his voice shrill and inflected: “Your Majesty! Great joy, great joy!” “You’re in such a hurry! How disgraceful!” Li Yan frowned and put down the wood unhappily. “Your Majesty! News has come back from the north. Lin Xiao… Lin Xiao, at Luomapo, with only 80,000 soldiers, crushed a 300,000 strong army from the grasslands! Altan Khan, the Khan of the grasslands, fled north in panic with only a few cavalrymen. All 300,000 cavalrymen… all gone!” “Bang!” The wooden beauty in Li Yan’s hand fell to the ground. He froze, his eyes wide open, his mouth slightly open, as if he had heard some fairy tale. “You…what did you say? Say it again!” The eunuch repeated it tremblingly. The hall was dead silent. Li Yan’s face turned from white to red, and then from red to blue. It was extremely exciting. After the shock, there was fear that penetrated deep into the bones. 80,000 versus 300,000… What kind of monsters are Lin Xiao’s army? Is Lin Xiao a human or a ghost? He seemed to see the invincible army change direction, with the black muzzles of their cannons pointed at the capital and the dragon throne under his butt. A chill rushed from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. “Rebellion! He is going to rebel!” Li Yan kicked over the tool rack beside him, and precious wood and exquisite tools scattered all over the ground. His eyes were bloodshot, and he paced back and forth in the hall like a trapped animal, muttering non stop: “A peasant with such a large army under his command! My kingdom… my kingdom is in danger!” But as he cursed, a sense of relief quietly rose in the depths of his heart. Fortunately… fortunately, those grassland barbarians were defeated. If Lin Xiao were defeated, the three hundred thousand strong army would probably be at the gates of the city. By then, he, the emperor, would probably not even have the chance to work as a carpenter. This contradictory feeling of fear and relief tortured him to the point of being restless. Finally, he waved his hand irritably and said, “Get out! Get out of here!” In Fengyi Palace, Liu Weilan listened quietly to the report from her personal maid, the embroidery needle in her hand stopped in mid air for a long time. The scene she saw in the Qinglin County military camp emerged in her mind: the iron like army and the confident and calm man. It turns out that wasn’t all his strength. It turns out that he really has the power to sweep the world. Despite her shock, she felt no fear at all. Instead, she felt a strange sense of security. Perhaps, in his hands, the turbulent Great Zhou could truly be reborn? In the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Zhou Mubai hadn’t slept all night. When he received the battle report, this old man, who had toiled for the Great Zhou his entire life, had trembling hands and tears streaming down his face. “Heaven has eyes… Heaven has eyes!” “Great Zhou…is free from worry for now.” The 300,000 iron cavalry on the grasslands were a force that could destroy the entire Great Zhou. Now, this force was completely defeated by Lin Xiao alone. He was relieved and excited. But after the excitement, deeper worries crept into my heart. He drove away a hungry wolf, but raised a real dragon. Will this dragon be content to live in the small Qinglin County? Zhou Mubai looked at the northern sky and sighed deeply. In stark contrast to the complex atmosphere in the capital, the entire Lin Xiao territory had already turned into a sea of joy. When the victory notice was posted, countless people gathered around. When the literate teacher read out in a trembling and excited voice, “Our army won a great victory. More than 100,000 grassland soldiers were killed in battle and more than 100,000 were captured. The Chanyu fled north in panic,” the crowd was first dead silent, and then broke into thunderous cheers! “We won! We won!” “Long live Lord Lin! The Qinglin Army is mighty!” “Heaven has eyes! Those damned grassland Tartars have finally gotten their comeuppance!” Countless people hugged each other and cried, countless people knelt on the ground and kowtowed, muttering Lin Xiao’s name, as if he was a god. The sound of firecrackers rang out from the streets to the end of the alleys, and every household celebrated this hard earned victory by taking out their treasured food and sharing it as if it were New Year’s Day. Jingmen County, Land God Temple. Zhao Xiaocao and his brother Zhao Wu were also among the celebrating crowd. Listening to the people around him enthusiastically worshipping and praising Lin Xiao, Zhao Xiaocao tugged at Zhao Wu’s sleeve, his big eyes gleaming, “Brother, Lord Lin… He really is like a god descending from heaven.” Zhao Wu nodded heavily and clenched his fists. In the county magistrate’s mansion, Li Dequan and Song Qinghe sat opposite each other, both of them with flushed faces, and they were so excited that they drank several cups of tea. “Sir Song,” Li Dequan put down his teacup, his voice trembling with excitement. “Such a feat is unheard of in history books! Defeating 300,000 with only 80,000 men is not a human effort, but destiny!” Song Qinghe nodded in agreement, his eyes flashing with enthusiasm. “Lord Lin, you are truly destined to be the one chosen by heaven! We are truly fortunate to be able to follow you! Besides you, who else is worthy of ruling the world of the Great Zhou?” The two looked at each other and saw the same thought in each other’s eyes. At Luomapo, the smell of blood has not yet completely dissipated. The 80,000 Qinglin troops were cleaning up the battlefield in an orderly manner, collecting prisoners and treating the wounded. There was no arrogance on their faces, only a calmness that came after a hundred battles. When they looked at the figure on the platform, their eyes were filled with absolute admiration and conviction. Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the land that had witnessed the miracle, his expression calm. Sun Mingde and Wang Jian stood behind him, their excitement still not subsiding. “Brother Xiao, should we go back and rest next?” Sun Mingde asked. Lin Xiao slowly shook his head and looked towards the distant north. “This battle is not the end, it’s just the beginning.” His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly. “Pass my orders!” All the generals were cheered up and straightened their backs. “The entire army will rest for three days! After three days, the army will continue its march north to recapture all lost territory and head straight for the grassland royal court!” Lin Xiao turned around and looked at the generals, his eyes as sharp as a knife. “I want this grassland to be so peaceful that no more horses will migrate south within a hundred years! I want the people of this land to enjoy eternal peace!” “I will follow you till death! Let’s flatten the grassland!” The generals knelt on one knee, and their voices were like thunder, reaching the sky. Chapter 389: The entire Yunzhou is tax free for one year! After three days, Sun Mingde was like a tiger out of a cage, leading a division as the vanguard and advancing northward in a mighty manner. Wherever the army goes, it is invincible. “Open the city! Open the city quickly!” Under the city of Yunzhou, Sun Mingde was riding on his horse. He didn’t even bother to say a word to persuade the enemy to surrender. He directly ordered the artillery battalion to push dozens of black cannons to the front of the formation. On the city wall, the remaining grassland defenders looked at the “Weapon of Divine Punishment” that was enough to make the earth tremble, and their legs had already gone weak. The tragic scene of the 300,000 strong army being wiped out in the Battle of Luomapo had already spread throughout the north through the mouths of deserters. That was not a war at all, it was a one sided massacre. The grassland general guarding the city hesitated for less than an incense stick of time, then cried and ordered the city gate to be opened. He and dozens of his men knelt at the gate, raised their weapons high above their heads, and did not even dare to raise their heads. “Damn, this is so boring.” Sun Mingde curled his lips, put the whip on the saddle, and said to the deputy general beside him in a somewhat listless tone, “I thought I would meet a tough guy, but it turned out to be a bunch of weaklings.” The deputy general smiled and said, “Your reputation is so great that those Tartars have already been frightened out of their wits. How could they dare to resist?” The army entered the city with strict discipline and harmed no one. The people cautiously poked their heads out from the cracks in the doors and behind the windows, looking at this army that was completely different from the brutal and brutal grassland people. They were dressed in bright clothes and marched in unison. There was no greed or killing in their eyes, only a calm confidence. People’s anxious hearts were quietly relieved by half. On the second day after the army arrived, the civil affairs team led by Li Dequan followed closely. Carts loaded with food drove into the city, and porridge stalls were set up in the city square. Notices were posted on the city walls and at every street corner, and literate teachers were invited to read them aloud to all the people. “In compliance with the order of County Magistrate Lord Lin: Yunzhou has been liberated. All citizens of the Great Zhou may register at the government office. Each household will be issued three days’ worth of food rations based on the number of people present!” “Anyone displaced by war can register and the government will provide resettlement and distribute farm tools!” “From now on, the entire Yunzhou will be tax free for one year!” “Anyone who dares to take advantage of the chaos to commit evil and rob the people will be killed without mercy!” A skinny little girl, sallow and skinny, clung to her grandfather’s clothes, hiding behind the crowd. She timidly asked, “Grandpa, are they really giving us food? Are they trying to trick us into coming here and take us away as slaves?” A glimmer of hope flashed in the old man’s cloudy eyes. He stroked his granddaughter’s dry hair and said in a hoarse voice, “Go and have a look, child. We’re almost starving to death. This time is no different. This army… seems different from the previous government troops and those Tartars.” When the old man took a bowl of steaming rice porridge from a Qinglin Army soldier with trembling hands, he could no longer hold back. Turbid old tears instantly burst out. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed several times. “My Lord! Lord Lin is a living Bodhisattva!” Such scenes were constantly played out in every liberated city. Half a month later, Jingmen County, temporary county magistrate’s office. Lin Xiaozheng called a meeting of all core members to summarize the results and gains and losses during this period. The atmosphere in the meeting hall was warm and everyone’s face was filled with genuine joy and excitement. Song Qinghe stood up holding a thick file, cleared his throat, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice. “Your Excellency, in the Battle of Luomapo, our army killed over 134,000 grassland soldiers and captured 57,000. We also seized 70,000 war horses, as well as various gold, silver, jewelry, furs, medicinal herbs, and other supplies, worth approximately 8 million taels of silver.” hiss Even eyewitnesses like Sun Mingde and Wang Jian couldn’t help but gasp when they heard such precise numbers again. This simply drained out all the wealth accumulated by the entire grassland over decades. Song Qinghe paused before continuing his report: “Militarily, General Sun has recovered most of the lost territory in the north of the Great Zhou within half a month, totaling three prefectures and twenty one counties. His troops have reached the grassland border. Nearly 20,000 remnants of grassland soldiers who surrendered along the way have all been disarmed and taken into custody.” “In terms of civil affairs, Lord Li Dequan has done a very effective job.” Song Qinghe flipped open another report. “In the three newly recovered counties, effective administrative management has been initially established. Over 470,000 refugees have been received and resettled, and 200,000 dan of grain has been released from granaries. No riots or large scale fighting have occurred. People from all over the country have heard of our army’s benevolence and righteousness, and have flocked to offer food and drink. Many young and strong men have even volunteered to join the army to serve Lord Li Dequan.” “In addition, various affairs in the rear territory are also progressing steadily.” Song Qinghe looked at Lin Xiao, his eyes flashing with enthusiasm. “According to the latest report sent by Lord Zhang Fuan from Qinglin County, the steel plant’s average daily steel output has exceeded 15,000 kilograms. The output of cement, glass and other workshops has also steadily increased, which is enough to support our subsequent construction in the newly occupied areas.” “The production line for the new muskets has been debugged and can produce up to 500 rifles per month. Ammunition reserves are sufficient.” The data and good news were released in the conference room, making everyone excited. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the young man sitting on the main seat, who had a calm expression from beginning to end. Lin Xiao picked up the teacup and blew gently on the floating tea leaves, as if what Song Qinghe had just reported was not a glorious military achievement that was enough to shake the world, but a trivial business. He put down his teacup and said, “Very good.” Everyone’s expression was startled and they immediately quieted down. “The resettlement of hundreds of thousands of refugees, the stabilization of public sentiment in the newly occupied areas, and how to deal with the hundreds of thousands of captives from the grasslands are all big problems.” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over the crowd. He looked at Wang Jian and said, “Disband the young and strong captives who surrendered and assign them to the engineering battalion. We have a large number of cities, roads, and water conservancy projects that need them to build.” “Yes!” Wang Jian accepted the order. “Song Qinghe, you need to pay more attention to Uncle Dequan,” Lin Xiao continued. “The government order must be implemented in every village and town as soon as possible. Tell the people that by following me, Lin Xiao, they will not only have enough to eat, but will also have a better life in the future. Also, establish schools in every city as soon as possible, and all children must attend.” “I understand!” Song Qinghe nodded heavily. Jingmen County, in a wing room in the backyard of the county magistrate’s mansion. Agula was sitting by the window, wearing an ordinary Han Chinese woman’s dress. The material was good, but it looked a little out of place on her. After taking off her heavy armor, her exotic and beautiful face and agile figure became more prominent. However, in her bright eyes, there was only cold vigilance, like a she wolf trapped in a cage. The door was pushed open with a creak, and Lin Xiao walked in. Agula stood up suddenly, his hands clenched into fists subconsciously, staring at him intently without saying a word. “It seems you’re used to living here.” Lin Xiao pulled out a chair and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea. “What do you want to do now?” Agula’s voice was cold and filled with suppressed anger. Lin Xiao picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then looked up at her. His tone was so calm as if he was talking about an insignificant matter. “In the Battle of Luomapo, your father Khan’s 300,000 man army was wiped out. Huyan Ba died in the battle, and your father Khan, Altan Khan, escaped with a few of his personal soldiers.” “Impossible!” Agula screamed, the blood draining from his face. “My father, the Khan, is blessed by the Eternal Heaven! He has 300,000 of the bravest warriors on the grassland! You lied to me!” “Oh, right,” Lin Xiao put down his teacup with a soft sound that seemed to strike at Agula’s heart. “Huyan Ba is dead too. He was shot to death. His body was crushed into a pulp by the fleeing horses. I guess it’s impossible to put it back together.” Agula’s face turned pale instantly, and his lips trembled uncontrollably. Huyan Ba was the most powerful warrior on the grassland, second only to his father Khan. Chapter 390: Over 50,000 Grassland Captives “You…you’re talking nonsense!” Her voice was hoarse, with a slight tremor that she didn’t even notice. Lin Xiao looked at her, his eyes devoid of mockery, only a condescending calmness. “You are my prisoner now. Do I really need to lie to you?” This plain rhetorical question was like a heavy hammer, completely shattering the last bit of hope in Agula’s heart. She stared at Lin Xiao blankly, the flame of hatred burning in her heart, but the greater feeling was fear. Lin Xiao stood up and walked in front of her. “There are still more than 50,000 grassland prisoners in our army.” Agula’s breathing hitched. “Their lives depend on my will. Of course, it also depends on your performance.” Lin Xiao looked down at her, “If you don’t obey, I don’t mind using their heads to build a Jingguan in every city I recover.” “You dare!” Agula gritted his teeth, his chest heaving violently. “Do you think I dare?” Lin Xiao stood up and walked towards her step by step. Agula retreated cautiously until his back hit the cold wall and he had nowhere to retreat. Lin Xiao stood in front of her, looking down at her with an unquestionable pressure in his eyes. “Kneel down.” Agula shuddered, humiliation and anger instantly overwhelming him. “Don’t even think about it!” “Kneel down.” Lin Xiao’s voice remained calm, but with a hint of impatience. “Take off your clothes.” “I kill you!” This command completely ignited the last bit of pride Agula had as a grassland princess. She roared like an enraged leopard, suddenly pulling out a sharp silver hairpin from her bun and stabbing it at Lin Xiao’s throat like lightning. However, her wrist was firmly grasped by a large hand like an iron clamp in mid air. Lin Xiao just twisted it lightly. “ah!” Agula cried out in pain, the silver hairpin clanging to the ground. She was pinned to her knees by a tremendous force, unable to move. The absolute disparity in strength made all her resistance a joke. “I don’t have time to play such childish tricks with you.” Lin Xiao released his hand and looked down at the woman kneeling on the ground, her body trembling violently due to humiliation. “My patience is limited. Do you want to take it off or not?” Agula was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, tears welling up in his eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall. She looked into Lin Xiao’s bottomless eyes. For the first time, she saw something colder than the grassland wind in a man’s eyes. She knew he wasn’t joking. The lives of those fifty thousand captives truly depended on her single whim. With trembling hands, he slowly raised his head and untied the belt around his waist. In the next half month, Lin Xiao’s army was unstoppable. The vanguard troops led by Sun Mingde were like a red hot sharp blade cutting through butter, easily recaptured one city after another that had been invaded by the grassland. The grassland army had already heard the news in fear. The destruction of the 300,000 strong army and the Chanyu’s embarrassing escape completely destroyed their fighting spirit. Often, a single round of artillery fire would leave the city walls in ruins. Immediately afterwards, the Qinglin Army infantry, dressed in uniform and armed with new style muskets, would pour into the city like a tide. Another half month passed, and Shuozhou, Daizhou… all the counties and prefectures that had been invaded by the grasslands were completely recovered. The Qinglin Army’s flags were once again hoisted across the entire northern border of the Great Zhou. At this point, all the lost territories in the north of the Great Zhou were returned. This news was even more shocking than the victory at Luomapo. It was like a magnitude 12 earthquake, violently impacting the nerves of the entire Great Zhou. Capital city, imperial palace. Li Yan hasn’t touched his carpentry work for several days. He could not sleep or eat, and spent the whole day pacing the hall like a trapped animal. He threw precious porcelain all over the floor, and the palace maids and eunuchs were all silent, even breathing cautiously. “Rebellion! Rebellion! He’s going to rebel!” Li Yan’s eyes were red as he clutched a eunuch’s collar tightly, spit flying everywhere. “He drove away the grassland people and recovered all the lost land! How many soldiers does he have now? Two hundred thousand? Or three hundred thousand? Is his next step to lead his troops to the capital and seize my throne?!” The young eunuch was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and kowtowed violently, unable to utter a word. Li Yan pushed him away and kicked over the table beside him. Fear, unprecedented fear. The peasant he once despised has now grown into a giant dragon that he cannot control and even trembles when looking up at. It took only one month to recover all the lost territories Lin Xiao’s military power was far superior to that of the Great Zhou court. Li Yan slumped on the ground, his eyes filled with despair and fear. He seemed to have seen that Lin Xiao and his army were changing direction and slowly moving towards the capital. As the army moved north, cities were recovered one after another, and the original Qinglin County administrative team was completely activated. The county magistrate’s office temporarily set up in Jingmen County has been keeping its lights on all night these days, becoming the fastest running heart in the entire north. Song Qinghe and Li Dequan had bloodshot eyes, and the bamboo slips and files piled in front of them were taller than them. On the wall hung a huge map, densely marked with cinnabar and ink. The newly recovered six counties and fifty four districts were now all included in this map. “Uncle Dequan, take a look at the household registration book sent from Yunzhou. There are more than 150,000 registered refugees.” Song Qinghe rubbed his swollen temples, his voice hoarse, but his spirits were extremely excited. Li Dequan put down his brush, pounded his stiff waist, and looked at the busy officials in the room, his face full of smiles. “It’s good to have more people! More people will make things more grand! What we lack now is manpower. Tell them in Yunzhou to follow our old way of Qinglin County. Divide the land, provide farm tools, and build houses. I guarantee that within a month, everyone will be on our side.” “And those captives are all excellent laborers.” Song Qinghe pointed to several planned routes on the map. “From Qinglin County to Beiping County, and then to Yunzhou, these main roads must be built with cement. And the damaged water conservancy projects in various places must also be repaired as soon as possible. General Wang Jian has already organized those tens of thousands of captives into an engineering battalion, and they are just waiting for us to issue regulations .” The two men looked at each other and saw fatigue in each other’s eyes, but more of an excitement and pride in making history. Chapter 391 Sword Pointing to the Grassland Ten days later, Lin Xiao summoned all core members to discuss the matter. In the spacious conference hall, military generals such as Sun Mingde and Wang Jian stood straight and looked energetic, while civil officials such as Song Qinghe and Li Dequan looked a little tired, but their eyes were bright. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the calm young man sitting on the main seat. “Tell me, what have you achieved during this period of time?” Lin Xiao picked up the teacup and blew on it gently. Song Qinghe stepped forward and spread out a summary report in his hand. His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the conference room. “Your Excellency, it has been over a month since the Battle of Luomapo. Our army has completely recovered all the lost territory in the north, including six major prefectures, including Yunzhou, Shuozhou, and Daizhou, totaling fifty four counties. Adding to our existing Qinglin and Hongnong prefectures, we now have fifteen prefectures under our jurisdiction, and our total jurisdiction covers nearly thirty percent of the Great Zhou territory!” “Wow—” Even generals like Sun Mingde, who had already known the news, could not help but feel overwhelmed when they heard this precise summary. Thirty percent of the country! What a terrifying expansion rate! Song Qinghe cleared his throat and continued, “Lord Li Dequan has coordinated the work very well. The newly recovered areas have achieved initial stability, with over 700,000 refugees resettled. Warehouses have been opened and grain has been released, taxes have been reduced, and the people have returned to their homes. Over 70,000 young and middle aged men have been recruited and, after preliminary screening, have been incorporated into the new barracks.” “In terms of construction, the factories supervised by Lord Zhang Fuan have achieved record production capacity. The steel mill’s daily output has exceeded 20,000 kilograms, and the output of various types of cement, glass, and farm tools is sufficient to support the reconstruction needs of the Xinfu area. As for the military workshop, the monthly production of new muskets can reach 700, and the ammunition reserves are sufficient to equip five more divisions.” “Militarily, the over 50,000 young men captured from the grasslands at the Battle of Luomapo have all been disbanded and incorporated into the Engineering Battalion, commanded by General Wang Jian. They will be immediately deployed to support infrastructure construction across the country. Our army now has 350,000 standing combat troops!” The shocking numbers that came out of Song Qinghe’s mouth were like heavy hammers hitting everyone’s heart. This is no longer a local force, but an independent kingdom with a complete military, industrial and civil system! Everyone’s eyes turned to Lin Xiao again, full of fanatical admiration. All of this was brought about by the man in front of me. Lin Xiao listened quietly, then gently put down the teacup with a crisp sound. The entire conference room fell silent in an instant. “Very good.” Lin Xiao glanced at everyone, “But this is not enough.” He stood up and walked to the huge map, and everyone’s eyes followed his figure. His finger crossed the border line of the Great Zhou on the map and pointed to the vast blank area outside the border, which represented the grassland. “Saying off the wild wolves only drives them back to their den. As long as the den is still there, they’ll come back sooner or later.” Lin Xiao’s voice was low, but it carried an unquestionable determination. “Rest and recuperation isn’t my goal. Solving this problem once and for all is.” He turned around and swept his sharp eyes over Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other generals. “Pass my orders!” “Here!” All the generals stood up at the same time, their voices like a loud bell. “All troops, prepare and replenish ammunition and food supplies. In half a month, the army will march out from the Great Wall and ravage the grasslands!” In an instant, you could hear a pin drop in the entire conference room. Sun Mingde and others were stunned at first, and then a fanaticism even stronger than winning a battle surged in their hearts. Invade the grassland! Since ancient times, the Central Plains dynasties had primarily adopted a defensive approach to the grasslands, building the Great Wall and establishing border garrisons. For hundreds of years, there had only been a single instance of an active attack deep into the heart of the grasslands to disrupt the royal court. And now, their commander is going to lead them to accomplish this unprecedented feat! “Brother Xiao! Damn it!” Sun Mingde’s face flushed with excitement, and he was the first to shout out. “I will follow you till death! Let’s flatten the grassland!” Wang Jian and all the other generals knelt on one knee, and the noise almost blew the roof off. Deep in the grassland, inside the royal court. Altan Khan was huddled in fear under an animal skin blanket, as if it could bring him a sense of security. The sound of artillery fire at Luomapo roared in his ears day and night, becoming a nightmare that he could never get rid of. “Khan! Khan!” A personal guard rushed in, tumbling and crawling, his face full of deathly paleness. “What’s the matter!” Altan Khan crawled out from under the blanket. “News has come back from the south… from the south…” The guard’s voice was trembling, “Lin Xiao’s army… has gathered at the border. They… they seem to be about to attack!” “What?! How dare he? How dare he!” Altan Khan screamed like a cat whose tail was stepped on. “He’s a southerner, and he dared to invade our grasslands?!” Fear, like an icy tide, instantly drowned him. That devil… that devil who could summon fire from the sky… he still wouldn’t let me go! He wanted to kill him completely! “Call! Quick! Call all the tribal leaders to come to me!” Altan Khan roared like mad, his voice shrill and desperate. Soon, the dozen or so tribal leaders remaining on the grassland were summoned to the king’s tent. Looking at these leaders who were unruly in the past but now all looked pale and trembling with fear, Altan Khan’s heart sank to the bottom. “Lin Xiao is coming to attack! What do you think we should do? What should we do?” He roared, without any dignity of a Chanyu. The tent was dead silent, with only the heavy breathing of the crowd. After a long time, an old chief with white beard stood up tremblingly. His name was Batu, and he was the oldest wise man on the grassland. “Great Khan, Lin Xiao’s army has the support of the gods. Their firearms are no match for mortals. We… let’s migrate north. The grassland is so vast, there’s always a place for us to stay. As long as the people are there, the tribe will still be there.” Migration? This word was like a needle, piercing the pride of everyone present. They were wolves of the grasslands. When had they been reduced to running away with their tails between their legs? “Bullshit!” A one eyed chief slammed the table and stood up, roaring, “Batu, have you been scared off by the southerners? This is the pasture given to us by the Eternal Heaven, the resting place of our ancestors! How can we give it to a bunch of southern pigs and dogs!” “If we don’t run, are we waiting to die?” Ba tu’s eyes were red. “Haven’t you seen their weapons? That’s a force no mortal can withstand!” “So what!” the one eyed leader stiffened his neck. “The southerners are useless without the city walls and barns! They’re unfamiliar with the grasslands, and can’t handle the wind and snow here! If we drag them in, it won’t be long before the cold and hunger devour them all without us having to do anything! We can act like wolves, constantly harassing their supplies and leaving them to freeze and starve to death in despair!” Chapter 392: Deep into the Wolf’s Den The tent was immediately divided into two factions, arguing endlessly. “Hadan is right! On the grassland, we are the masters!” “But what about their heavenly fire? The corpses of the 300,000 warriors at Luoma Slope are still cold!” “Then we’ll pay with our lives! There are no cowards among the warriors of the grassland!” Altan Khan listened to the buzzing of the quarrel in his ears, and his head split. The sound of the artillery fire from Luomapo seemed to explode in his ears again, making him shiver all over. Escape? He was the Chanyu who had unified the grasslands. If he fled with his people like a stray dog, how could he face his ancestors? Don’t flee? That devil’s army… In the end, Hadan’s words gave him a lifeline. Yes! Logistics! Go deep alone! He slammed the armrest of the throne, stood up, and tried to make his voice sound majestic: “Hadan is right! This is our grassland! Lin Xiao is alone and deep in the enemy’s territory, and the supply line is long. As long as we trap him, victory will definitely belong to us!” He looked around at everyone, his voice rising in intensity. “Pass the order! All tribes gather their cattle and sheep, fortify their defenses and clear the fields! We will ensure that Lin Xiao’s army won’t be able to eat even a single blade of grass on our land! We will make him pay with blood for his arrogance!” Looking at the leaders whose fighting spirit had been rekindled, Altan Khan felt a little relieved. He could only gamble that the vastness of the grassland and the harsh climate would be his last lifeline. Unlike the panic and chaos in the grassland royal court, there was only orderly busyness in Lin Xiao’s command center. A massive map lay spread across the long table, its detail far surpassing any other map from the Great Zhou court. Not only did it depict mountains and rivers, but it also clearly marked, in cinnabar ink, the distribution of each major tribe on the grassland, their nomadic ranges, and even the source of water. These are the results gathered by the intelligence department through various channels over the past half month. Lin Xiao’s finger slowly slid across the map, crossed the Great Wall defense line, and finally, lightly tapped on a highlighted area. That is where Altan Khan’s royal court is located. The so called solitary advance and the so called use of terrain to maneuver are nothing but a joke in the face of absolute intelligence advantage. Three days later, the morning mist had not yet dissipated. Fifty thousand elite troops have assembled on the border, with a majestic military appearance and murderous aura. Wang Jian led the vanguard battalion of 10,000 men, like a sharp sword unsheathed. Sun Mingde, commanding the main force and logistics of the army, remained as steady as a rock in the rear. “Set off!” With Lin Xiao’s order, the huge war machine began to turn slowly. The infantry phalanxes marched in unison, their footsteps merging into a dull torrent. The artillery battalions dragged their ferocious cannons, the ground trembling slightly under the crushing of their tracks. Above the sky, the ball of fur spread its golden wings, let out a high pitched eagle cry, and turned into a golden point of light that soared into the sky, becoming the army’s sharpest eyes. Lin Xiao sat astride the black panther’s back. The black panther now looked even more majestic, and the horn like protrusion on its forehead shone faintly in the sunlight. In the ranks of the army, there was a prisoner car that was closely guarded. Agula sat in the prison car, looking through the gaps in the wooden bars expressionlessly at the army that was invading her home. At first, she still had a glimmer of the grassland people’s last bit of pride and luck in her heart. Like her father Khan, she believed that the southern army was like a tiger without claws when it arrived on the open grassland. But along the way, the only remaining fantasy in her heart was crushed to pieces. What kind of army did she see? The soldiers wore the same uniforms, carried iron pipes that could spit out flames, and had calm and resolute eyes. They obeyed orders and the troops of tens of thousands of people marched. Apart from the sound of footsteps and wheels, no extra noise could be heard. Looking at their logistics, four wheeled carts loaded with supplies were lined up in a long queue that seemed to have no end. They were guarded by layers of soldiers in the center, in an orderly and impregnable manner. Harassing supply lines? A trace of bitter self mockery played across Agula’s lips. Relying on those scattered, disorganized remnants of the grasslands, like headless flies, to attack the supply lines of such a formidable force? That wasn’t harassment; that was suicide. She slowly closed her eyes and leaned against the cold wooden railing of the prison van, two lines of tears silently sliding down her cheeks. On the endless grassland, a torrent of steel is advancing at a constant speed. The infantry phalanx’s boots thumped on the grass, making a neat and heavy thud. Every soldier carried a shiny new musket, with ammunition bags and bayonets hanging from their waists, their eyes sharp and calm. Above the sky, a golden ball of fur hovered like a ghost, its eagle eyes easily seeing through camouflage from dozens of miles away. Any grassland scouts who tried to approach for reconnaissance could not escape its lock. On both wings of the army, the agile figure of the black panther appeared and disappeared in the sea of grass. The cavalrymen under Lin Xiao rode on war horses strengthened by spiritual spring water, sweeping around like ghosts, accurately eliminating those scattered spies. This three dimensional, all round reconnaissance and counter reconnaissance capability makes it difficult for the entire army to approach. “Report! A tribal camp was found ten miles ahead. There are about three thousand people gathering. Judging from the flag, it belongs to the Canglang tribe.” A messenger came galloping on horseback with a loud voice. Wang Jian rode on his horse, licked his cracked lips, and looked at Lin Xiao with an unconcealable fighting spirit in his eyes. Lin Xiao looked calm, and just raised his hand: “Proceed as planned.” “yes!” Bagen, the leader of the Canglang tribe, was standing on a high slope, looking at the long, wriggling black line in the distance, his eyes filled with the disdain and arrogance of a grassland man. “How dare the southerners’ infantry set foot on our grasslands? They’re courting death!” Bagen spat. “Do they think this is a place where they can walk on two legs?” The tribesmen around him burst into laughter. “Chief, let’s charge once and tear open their turtle shells!” “Yes! Let them see how powerful the Canglang Tribe is!” Bagen drew his scimitar and raised it high, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight: “Warriors! For Eternal Heaven! For our cattle, sheep, and women! Charge them down!” “Ouch—” More than three thousand grassland riders howled like wolves, urging their horses to charge forward like a surging wave, sweeping towards Lin Xiao’s army. Horse hooves flew, smoke and dust billowed, and the momentum was astonishing. In the prison van, Agula’s heart tightened when he heard the familiar charge horn. She hoped that these compatriots could create a miracle, but at the same time she foresaw with horror the tragedy that was about to happen. Looking at the aggressive cavalry, Zhao Wu was also transferred to the front line of Lin Xiao’s army. His palms were sweaty as he tightly gripped the cold musket. The veteran beside him patted his shoulder and smiled, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still. Don’t close your eyes later, watch carefully.” Chapter 393: Wolf in the Sheep Pen “Get in range!” “preparation!” “Fire!” There were no earth shaking war drums, only cold orders. “Bang bang bang bang—!” The roar of the volley instantly shattered the tranquility of the grassland. The dense lead bullets formed a wall of death, crashing head on into the charging cavalry. The front row of grassland riders seemed to have hit an invisible wall, their horses and men being ripped into a sieve, a bloody mist erupting as they instantly fell to the ground. The following cavalrymen were unable to dodge and were tripped and thrown off their horses. Bagen’s smile froze on his face as he watched his bravest warriors fall down in droves before they could even reach the range of the enemy’s arrows. “put!” Another salvo. The charge wave of the Canglang Tribe was completely shattered by these two walls of fire. The once proud horse archery tactics became a pathetic joke due to their absolute range advantage. Their bows and arrows could not even reach the enemy. “No! Charge! Charge…” Before Bagen could finish his words, a shell whizzed over and exploded among the guards around him. “boom!” The massive explosion and shockwave threw him off his horse. When he looked up, his face covered in blood, he saw only a hellish scene: broken limbs, wailing tribesmen, and a terrified warhorse… After just one or two encounters, the 3,000 strong tribal armed force was completely defeated. “Those who surrender will not be killed! Those who resist will die!” The cold shout echoed like a curse across the chaotic battlefield. The surviving members of the Canglang Tribe completely collapsed. They threw away their scimitars, rolled off their horses, and knelt on the ground, trembling. Wang Jian led a team of cavalry and easily completed the finishing work on the battlefield. Agula in the prison car was as pale as paper. Lin Xiao’s army was not here to fight the grassland people, they were here to clean up this land. Soon, the news that the Canglang Tribe was wiped out and the surrendered were treated leniently spread across the grassland like the wind. Lin Xiao’s strategy of combining kindness and force quickly took effect. Faced with this devil army possessing the power of “sky fire”, the resistance will of some small tribes began to waver. The next day, two small tribes took the initiative to send people to express their willingness to surrender. The atmosphere in Altan Khan’s court was so oppressive that it seemed to be frozen. “Great Khan! The Canglang Tribe… is gone!” A messenger rushed into the tent, his voice filled with tears. Altan Khan stood up suddenly, “What did you say!” Before he could finish his words, another messenger rushed in, looking even more panicked. “Great Khan, this is bad! The Black Sheep Tribe and the Crooked Horn Tribe… they’ve surrendered! They’ve handed over all their cattle, sheep, and weapons to Lin Xiao!” “Bang!” Altan Khan kicked over the table in front of him, and the golden cup of delicacies on it rolled all over the floor. “Waste! All of you waste!” His eyes were red and he paced back and forth in the tent like a trapped beast. However, no matter how he roared, bad news still came one after another. “Report to the Khan, Lin Xiao’s army has changed direction and is heading towards us!” “Report to the Khan, their marching route… is so, so precise! It’s like they knew we were here!” The last piece of news was like a basin of cold water, extinguishing Altan Khan’s last hope from head to toe. He froze in place, the color rapidly draining from his face. Exposed! The location of his royal court was completely exposed under the enemy’s nose! He had always thought that he could rely on the vastness of the grassland to wear down the enemy, but now it seems that this was just self deception. An unprecedented fear gripped his heart. He knew he couldn’t hide. “Pass on my orders!” Altan Khan’s voice was hoarse, but it carried a hint of madness from being driven into a desperate situation. “Gather all the warriors who can still fight! Take out all the wine in the royal tent! Let the warriors drink it all! We are the wolves of the grassland. Even if we die, we will bite a piece of flesh off the enemy!” Soon, all the tribes near the royal court were mobilized. The last 100,000 cavalrymen gathered on the open ground in front of the royal court, and the tragic sound of trumpets resounded through the sky. At the same time, the army led by Lin Xiao had appeared on the distant horizon. The army slowly halted and began to form up ten miles from the royal court. Cannons were pushed forward, their muzzles trained on the sea of cavalry ahead. Lin Xiao rode on the back of the black panther, looking at the chaotic and huge enemy camp in the distance, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth. “A mob.” He put down the telescope and said to Sun Mingde beside him, “Send a message to the artillery battalion, give them an opening ceremony and knock down their flag.” “Understood!” Sun Mingde rubbed his hands excitedly, turned around and shouted, “Artillery Battalion! Target, the enemy commander’s flag! Three rapid fire rounds! Blast it into the sky for me!” “Fire!” As soon as the order was given, the artillerymen who had been on standby immediately took action. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” Dozens of cannons roared at the same time, and the huge roar of the shells firing seemed to tear the sky of the entire grassland apart. The 100,000 grassland cavalry, who had just been inspired by alcohol and the tragic atmosphere, had no time to launch a charge when they saw dozens of black shadows with screams passing through the sky. Altan Khan’s pupils suddenly shrank. This sound… is the devil’s sound of Luomapo! His last bit of madness and courage were instantly drained away at this moment, leaving only the fear that penetrated deep into his bones. “No……” Before he could finish his words, the black dots accurately smashed into his army. “Boom—!” Earth shaking explosions rang out one after another, and the ground shook violently. Terrifying vacuums were instantly created around the impact points, and the remains of men and horses, along with dirt and grass, were swept high into the air and then fell like rain. The wolf head flag that represented the glory of the Chanyu was instantly blown in half and fell to the ground burning. The opening ceremony is also the closing ceremony. The entire grassland army’s formation was like being hit hard by an invisible hammer, and instantly fell into deathly silence. Everyone stared blankly at the burning ruins, their minds blank. Their flag… fell. The god in their hearts, Altan Khan, the eagle of the grassland, was nowhere to be seen. “Where is the Great…Khan?” asked a tribal leader with trembling lips. No one answered him. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” A second round of artillery fire followed, and this time the shells covered the area where the cavalry was most concentrated. The cacophony of explosions, screams, and the wailing of warhorses completely destroyed the grassland people’s last psychological defenses. The formation was instantly thrown into disarray, and the so called 100,000 man army was completely reduced to a pile of loose sand. “It’s over… Changshengtian has abandoned us!” “It’s a punishment from heaven! It’s a punishment from heaven!” “Run! Run!” Panic spread like a plague. Countless soldiers turned their horses around and fled desperately to the rear, trampling on each other and causing countless casualties. At this moment, Altan Khan, surrounded by a group of personal guards, had already taken advantage of the chaos caused by the first round of artillery fire to flee deeper into the grassland in a panic. He didn’t even dare to look back, for fear that the devil who summoned the heavenly fire would notice him. Chapter 394 The King’s Court Changes Owner The artillery fire stopped, and the grassland was filled with pungent smoke and the smell of blood. The once invincible grassland coalition army had now completely collapsed. Some fled, some surrendered, and all that remained was a mess and wailing. Lin Xiao rode on the black panther’s back, his expression calm, as if he had just shooed away a swarm of flies. He gazed at the royal court in the distance, symbolizing the center of power on the grasslands, and gave a calm order: “Wang Jian, take your men in, eliminate the remaining enemies, and inventory the supplies.” “Yes!” Wang Jian took the order and led the soldiers of the first division, rushing towards the huge group of tents like a steel torrent. “Sun Mingde.” “I am here!” Sun Mingde grinned, his face still showing the excitement after the battle. “Clean up the battlefield, gather the prisoners, register the tribes willing to surrender, and appease them. As for Altan Khan…” Lin Xiao cast his gaze deep into the grassland, “Send scouts to chase him. We must find him alive or dead.” “clear!” As orders were issued one by one, the soldiers of the Qinglin Army began to operate efficiently and orderly like sophisticated machines, forming a sharp contrast to the chaos of the grassland people. In the prison van, Agula stared blankly at all this through the railings. He watched as the tribal warriors who had once belonged to his father, now knelt on the ground like sheep, awaiting their conqueror’s fate. He watched as the flag embroidered with the Qinglin County emblem slowly rose from the highest flagpole in the royal court, replacing the wolf head flag that had flown for so many years. Her home is gone. Father Khan once again abandoned his people and fled alone. “Clang.” The door of the prison van was opened, and two soldiers escorted her out and brought her to the largest golden tent in the royal court. This was once where Altan Khan held meetings and banquets. At this moment, Lin Xiao sat in the main seat. He was casually flipping through a sheepskin map, and standing beside him were generals including Sun Mingde. Agula was pushed to her knees on the ground. She raised her head, and her eyes, which once burned like fire, were now as dead as ashes. “Your father Khan has run away again.” Lin Xiao’s eyes did not leave the map, and his voice was so flat as if he was talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him. These words, like the sharpest knife, pierced through Agula’s last defense. Yes, he ran away again. The first time, she was fully convinced that her father Khan would gather a large army to avenge her, but in the end, the 300,000 strong army was defeated by the enemy’s 80,000 men, and her father Khan ran away. This time, it was a decisive battle in the royal court. Father Khan didn’t even dare to engage in a real battle. The moment the cannon sounded, he chose to escape again. It turned out that the invincible prairie eagle in her heart was just a cowardly wild dog. It turned out that everything she was proud of and fought for was just a joke. Overwhelmed by a huge sense of despair and humiliation, she looked at the man sitting in the main seat. The hatred in the eyes of this man who destroyed all her pride was still strong, but deep in this hatred, a complex emotion quietly grew that she herself had not noticed. It is a kind of powerlessness and… awe that arises naturally when facing an irresistible force. [Ding! Agula’s favorability +3, current favorability: 3.] Lin Xiao heard the prompt in his mind, without even raising his eyelids, and simply ordered: “Take him away and keep him under guard.” Agula was taken away, and peace returned to the Golden Tent. Lin Xiao settled down in the royal court, where there were abundant supplies and herds of cattle and sheep, enough to support the army’s subsequent actions. Lin Xiao was in the golden tent, processing the civil affairs report on the newly recovered counties sent by Li Dequan from the rear, while a personal guard was reporting outside the tent. “Sir, there is a woman outside the tent who wants to see you. She claims to be…Altan Khan’s princess, Tuya.” “Oh?” Lin Xiao put down the pen in his hand, a little surprised. “Let her in.” A moment later, a plump, beautiful woman dressed in luxurious furs walked in. She was about thirty years old, with a beautiful face and a mature, voluptuous figure . She walked with an air of grace. While her face wore a hint of nervousness, her eyes were calm. She is Tuya. Tuya walked to the center of the tent, knelt down directly in front of Lin Xiao, and performed a standard grassland salute. “I am the sinful woman Tuya, and I am here to meet the godlike general.” Her voice was gentle and pleasant, with a hint of the unique accent of a grassland woman. Lin Xiao looked at her with interest, said nothing, and motioned for her to continue. Tuya took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked directly at Lin Xiao with her beautiful eyes: “The rule of the grassland is that the strong is king. Altan Khan has been defeated. He is no longer the master of this grassland.” She paused, then spoke sincerely, “General, your power is known to Tuya with her own eyes. You are the true master of the grasslands. Tuya is willing to offer herself to serve you. I only ask that you treat the tribes that have surrendered well and give the people of the grasslands a chance to survive.” This woman is very smart. She didn’t cry and beg for mercy, but directly laid out her own value and bargaining chips. She was making a huge gamble for herself and the people behind her. [Ding! A special person has been detected, system binding in progress…] 【Name: Tuya】 [Identity: Princess Altan Khan] [Favorability: 0] Lin Xiao’s mouth curled up slightly. This woman is quite interesting. He stood up from the throne, walked to Tuya, and lifted her chin with his hand. “You are more sensible than Altan Khan.” Tuya’s body stiffened slightly, but she still met Lin Xiao’s gaze and said softly, “Only those who know the current situation can survive. This is the unchanging law of the grassland.” “What a grassland law.” Lin Xiao released his hand and said calmly, “I accept your surrender. From today on, you are still the mistress of this royal court.” Upon hearing this, Tuya’s eyes flashed with joy as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She kowtowed deeply once again, “Thank you, Master!” At night, the starry sky over the grassland is exceptionally bright. The royal tent had been cleaned and a warm bonfire was lit. Lin Xiao had just finished his last batch of military duties and was about to rest when the curtains of the tent were gently lifted. Tuya, freshly washed and dressed in a silk dress, walked in gracefully, carrying a pot of kumis. The silk dress outlined her breathtaking mature curves, and her face was lightly made up, which made her look even more charming and attractive under the firelight. She walked to Lin Xiao, knelt down, filled a glass of wine for him, and said softly: “Master, it’s late at night, drink a cup of hot wine to warm yourself up.” Lin Xiao took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy wine went down his throat with a hint of milk. A blush appeared on Tuya’s face. She put down the wine jug and leaned over. Her warm body pressed against Lin Xiao, and her breath was as fragrant as orchid. “The nights on the grassland are very cold…” Lin Xiao didn’t say anything, but just put his arm around her soft waist. A night of romance. [Ding! Tuya’s favorability increased by 5. Current favorability: 5.] Chapter 395 Surrender Capital city, Yangxin Palace. “Crack—” With a crisp sound, Li Yan dropped a piece of fine golden nanmu wood from his hand. He slammed the carving knife to the ground, his chest heaving violently, his handsome face twisted with anger and fear. “What did you say? Say it again!” The young eunuch kneeling on the ground was terrified, his head lowered even lower, and he repeated in a trembling voice: “North… urgent news from the north, Qinglin County Magistrate Lin Xiao… has broken through the grassland royal court, and the Chanyu Altan Khan… has fled. All 36 tribes of the grassland have been… all surrendered by him…” “All surrender…” Li Yan muttered absentmindedly, stumbling back two steps and knocking over the wooden rack behind him. The wood rolled to the ground, making a crackling sound, just like the collapse of his heart. The entire grassland… the nightmare that had plagued the Great Zhou for hundreds of years, the scourge that neither his father nor his grandfather had been able to completely resolve, was pacified by a peasant? How is this possible! He would rather hear the news of Lin Xiao’s defeat. Even if the grassland people were at the gates of the city, it would be more acceptable to him than the current result. Lin Xiao has become so powerful that he cannot reach or even imagine it. “Get out! Get out of here!” Li Yan roared hysterically and swept everything on the table to the ground. The eunuchs fled out of the Yangxin Palace in a hurry as if they had been pardoned. Li Yan was the only one left in the hall. He sat powerlessly amidst the mess, his eyes empty. For the first time, he felt that the throne seemed a little unstable. Prime Minister’s Mansion. Zhou Mubai held the same military newspaper in his hand, his skinny fingers trembling slightly, and a hint of relief flashed in his cloudy old eyes. He walked to the window, looked at the clear blue sky in the north, and let out a long breath. The threat to the grassland has been resolved. At least, for the next few decades, there would be no more wars on the northern border of the Great Zhou. The people could live in peace, and the country could rest and recuperate. As for Lin Xiao… Zhou Mubai was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. This boy had become a force to be reckoned with, no longer under the control of the imperial court. But…if this brought peace to the world and spared the people from the ravages of war, wouldn’t that be a blessing? He slowly placed the information on the candle flame and lit it, watching the paper curl up in the flames and turn into ashes. Grassland, the golden tent of the royal court. Lin Xiao sat at the head of the table, a large sheepskin map spread out before him. Tuya knelt beside him like the most docile cat, gently grinding ink for him. Agula was brought over, stubbornly turning his head away, not wanting to look at Lin Xiao. A personal guard quickly entered the tent and knelt on one knee: “Sir, an envoy from Altan Khan is outside the tent, requesting to see you.” “Oh?” Lin Xiao raised his head, a playful smile on his lips, “Let him in.” Soon, a middle aged man wearing grassland clothes but with a terrified face was brought in. When he saw Lin Xiao, he fell to his knees and prostrated himself. “Great Conqueror! Our Great Khan, Altan Khan, has sent me to pay you my humble respects!” The messenger’s voice trembled, not daring to look up. “The Khan says he is willing to submit to you, forever and ever, and serve you as his Lord! He is willing to offer the three most fertile river basins of the grasslands, and pay an annual tribute of 100,000 cattle and sheep, and ten thousand ounces of gold. All I ask is… all I ask is that you spare his life and leave him and his people a place to live.” Agula’s body shook violently, and he turned back suddenly, his eyes full of disbelief. Her once arrogant father, the Khan, had actually come to this point of begging for mercy? There was silence in the golden tent, with only the occasional crackling sound of the charcoal in the brazier. Lin Xiao’s finger slowly moved across the map, from the Hulun Grassland in the east to the Tianshan Pasture in the west. This land was vast, even more vast than all the counties under his current jurisdiction combined. He simply couldn’t manage all of it with his current staff. The cost of governance was too high, and the grassland tribes were unruly and unruly. Forcing them would only cause more trouble. What he wants are resources and a stable rear, not a mess. “Go back and tell Altan Khan.” Lin Xiao finally spoke in a dignified voice, “I will spare his life for now. This land south of the Yin Mountains, with the most abundant water and grass, belongs to me.” His finger drew a huge circle on the map, covering almost one third of the most essential areas of the entire grassland. “All tribes in this land must accept the jurisdiction of my officials and enforce my laws, and their descendants must learn Chinese.” The messenger broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. This was even more cruel than killing Al Tan Khan directly. This was to uproot the soul of the grassland! Lin Xiao ignored his expression and continued, “The rest of the land can be left to him. He will still be the Khan of the grassland, but only my vassal. Every year, I want to see 200,000 cattle and sheep, 50,000 war horses, and 500,000 kilograms of iron ore delivered to Qinglin County.” He paused, his eyes sharpening. “Tell him this is the only chance I’m giving him. If he agrees, he can live. If he doesn’t agree, I’ll go talk to him in person.” “Yes! Yes! I will convey your words verbatim!” The messenger kowtowed and crawled out. Agula stared at Lin Xiao blankly. This man not only conquered the grassland with force, but also wanted to hold the future of the entire grassland in his hands in a way she had never seen before. In comparison, her father, the Khan, who only knew how to escape and beg for mercy, was simply ridiculously insignificant. After dealing with these important matters, Lin Xiao stood up and stretched, feeling a little tired. After many days of fighting, he suddenly missed the comfort of the Qinglin County mansion, the fragrance of the women, and the babbling laughter of the children. He walked out of the golden tent, looked up at the cold bright moon over the grassland, and blew a loud whistle. The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the boundless sea of grass. The night wind carried the fishy smell of grass and was a little chilly. A moment later, a small golden dot appeared at the end of the sky and enlarged at an astonishing speed. It’s a ball of hair. Its body is now more handsome, and its golden feathers are shining in the sunset, just like a divine bird descending from the sky. The fur ball landed steadily in front of Lin Xiao and rubbed his arm affectionately with its head. Lin Xiao smiled, took out a piece of dried meat from his arms and fed it to it, while stroking its feathers that looked like they were made of gold. “Maoqiu, do you miss home?” Maoqiu barked happily twice. “If you miss home, go back.” Lin Xiao’s voice softened. “Go and pick up the ladies and children. Tell them the scenery here is beautiful and take them horseback riding.” “Don’t play around on the way.” The ball of fur raised its head, let out a confident cry, flapped its wings, stirred up a gust of wind, and instantly soared into the sky, turning into a golden dot and disappearing into the southern sky. Looking at the direction where the ball of fur left, Lin Xiao’s eyes were full of tenderness. No matter how big the kingdom is, you still need someone to share it with so that you won’t feel lonely. Tuya came out at some point, draped a thick fox fur coat over him, and said softly, “Master, it’s late at night and the wind is strong.” Lin Xiao came back to his senses, took her plump and soft waist, and said with a smile: “Yes, it’s time to go to bed.” Chapter 396 Family Three days later, the sky over the grassland was clear blue. An eagle’s cry, piercing the clouds and splitting the rocks, came from the southern sky, breaking the tranquility of the royal court. Lin Xiao, who was discussing the inventory of the tribe’s supplies with Tuya, raised his head and a gentle smile appeared on his face: “They’re here.” Tuya followed his gaze and saw a small golden dot rapidly enlarged in her field of vision. Even though she had seen his extraordinary and handsome appearance before, she still felt awe. The fur ball landed steadily on the open space in front of the golden tent, and its huge wings stirred up a gust of wind and sand. “Wow! What a strong wind!” Yan Ruoxi was the first to slide down from the fur ball’s back. She was wearing a tight outfit that made it easy for her to move around, which made her figure look even more graceful. She opened her arms and took a deep breath of the grassy air, her face full of excitement: “Husband! The smell here is different from home! Can we ride horses? I want to race!” Soon after, Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Mrs. Lin and others also came down with their children. As soon as the children touched the ground, they were like ponies that had broken free from their reins. “Rabbit!” Lin Rui pointed at a prairie mouse that flashed by, and chased after it with his short legs. As a result, he stepped into a grass hole and fell on his butt, but he giggled. Lin Xin curiously grabbed a piece of foxtail grass that was taller than her and swung it around like an adult. The women looked at the endless green ocean, their eyes filled with novelty and shock. Liu Ruyan walked to Lin Xiao and saw Lin Xiao surrounded by children. The worry in her eyes finally turned into a relieved smile. Lin Xiao picked up Lin Rui with his left hand, held Lin Xin with his right hand, and said to everyone with a smile: “Welcome to our new place, I will show you around.” In the next few days, the grassland was filled with long lost laughter and joy. Lin Xiao had the most docile horses picked out, and each of them rode one, taking the women and children for a gallop across the grassland. The black panther followed leisurely beside, growling from time to time to scare away a few ignorant wolves. They chased cattle and sheep, had picnics by the clear river, and watched eagles circling in the sky. In the evening, the family gathered around a huge bonfire, roasting tender lamb. The fat dripped into the fire, making a sizzling sound and filling the air with fragrance. When the children were tired of playing, they leaned in their mother’s arms and listened to Lin Xiao talk about the stars in the sky. Agula was allowed to walk out of the tent. She watched this scene from afar. She saw the man who was like a devil on the battlefield gently wiping the oil stains from the corners of her daughter’s mouth, her eyes extremely complicated. She had never thought that conquest and family warmth could appear so harmoniously in the same person. Three days later, the atmosphere in the golden tent of the royal court was solemn. Lin Xiao sat upright in the main seat. Below him, core members including Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, and Wang Jian stood solemnly, each with a hint of excitement and excitement on their face. The land they stood on was the land that the Zhou Dynasty had failed to conquer in the past few hundred years. Also standing in the tent were several influential tribal leaders who had surrendered voluntarily. They looked respectful yet a little uneasy. “The grassland is vast, but also very chaotic.” Lin Xiao got straight to the point, running his finger across the huge sheepskin map in front of him. “From today on, all the rules here will be determined by me.” Everyone held their breath. “First, establish ‘Anbei County’ here. With the Yin Mountains as its boundary, the entire area south of the Yin Mountains, with its most abundant water and grass, will be incorporated into Anbei County and placed under our direct jurisdiction.” Lin Xiao drew a huge circle on the map. “Anbei County will be directly under my jurisdiction. All tribes within the county must accept the administration of my officials and enforce my laws.” As soon as these words were spoken, Song Qinghe’s breathing paused slightly. Setting up counties on the grasslands—what a bold move! Since ancient times, the Central Plains dynasties had either built the Great Wall to defend the grasslands or established fiefdoms and marriage alliances to maintain control over them. Never before had there been such a thorough way of ruling. The faces of those tribal leaders changed drastically. “Second, all tribes, whether inside or outside the county, must pay taxes to Anbei County annually based on the number of their population and livestock. Tribes are not allowed to wage war against each other privately. Any disputes will be adjudicated by Anbei County. Violations will be considered a declaration of war against us.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but every word he said carried unquestionable weight. “Third, we will gradually promote the integration of agriculture and animal husbandry within Anbei County. I will send people to teach you how to cultivate suitable land to grow cold resistant crops, and how to raise cattle and sheep more scientifically, so that your winter will no longer be difficult.” “Fourth, establish a trade route.” Lin Xiao’s finger traced from Anbei County all the way to Qinglin County in the south. “I will open up a trade route between the grasslands and the Central Plains. Your cattle, sheep, furs, and medicinal herbs can all be sold to the Central Plains through caravans in exchange for the food, cloth, ironware, and porcelain you need. I guarantee that the price will be absolutely fair.” After a series of policies were announced, there was silence in the tent. Song Qinghe’s heart was filled with emotion when he heard this. He seemed to have seen that in a few decades, this unruly land would be completely integrated into civilization and become the most stable territory and the richest resource producing area under Lin Xiao’s rule. This is the real permanent solution! The tribal leaders, from initial resistance to astonishment, then to contemplation, finally a hint of expectation appeared on their faces. They had fought for survival for generations, and rivers of blood would flow for a piece of pasture or a source of water. But the future that Lin Xiao described seemed… much better than they had imagined. Lin Xiao took in everyone’s expressions and knew that he had taken the first step to conquering people’s hearts. He looked at his core team and began to assign tasks. “Song Qinghe and Li Dequan.” “I’m here!” The two of them stepped out together. “The civil affairs of Anbei County will be coordinated by the two of you. I want to see the first batch of schools and standardized settlements appear as soon as possible. All children of school age, regardless of gender, must learn Chinese and our culture. Also, quickly transfer a group of trustworthy and capable grassroots officials from the counties under our control. We have a huge workload here and need manpower.” “Yes, sir!” The two men spoke in loud voices, full of enthusiasm. “Zhang Fuan.” “Sir!” Zhang Fuan hurried forward. “Your mission is significant. Besides routine weapon maintenance, I want you to establish a workshop here. Wool and leather are both high quality raw materials, and they can no longer be processed as crudely as before. Furthermore, exploring for mineral resources is also a top priority.” “Yes, sir! I promise to complete the task!” Finally, Lin Xiao’s gaze fell on Sun Mingde and Wang Jian. “You two will select the most elite warriors from among the fifty thousand captives and surrendered tribes, and reorganize them into a new cavalry unit. Organization, training, and equipment must all follow the Qinglin Army model. I don’t need a bunch of reckless men who only know how to charge. I need a disciplined cavalry that understands coordinated operations to maintain peace on this grassland.” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian looked at each other and saw the heat in each other’s eyes. “Don’t worry, sir!” After all the tasks were assigned, everyone left the golden tent one by one, full of ambition. Chapter 397 Dingbei Inside the golden tent, the warm yellow light illuminated the woolen blanket on the ground, making it feel warm. Lin Xiao was leaning on a soft couch covered with thick animal skins, looking through the preliminary plan for Anbei County that Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others had drawn up overnight. The curtain was gently lifted, and a fragrant breeze rushed in. Tu Yalian walked in. She was wearing a tight deerskin jacket today, which perfectly outlined her plump and mature curves. The low neckline revealed a large area of snow white skin and deep cleavage. The skirt is very short, and as she walks, her slender and toned thighs are faintly visible, full of the wild charm unique to grassland women. Behind her followed Agula with a frosty face. This once valiant prairie pearl was now meticulously dressed. She wore a sky blue silk gown that accentuated her skin’s whiteness, her features strikingly beautiful. However, the unyielding fire still burned in her eyes, making her resemble a rose with thorns—gorgeous yet prickly. She stood there, her hands tightly clutching the edge of her skirt, her lips pressed into a stubborn straight line. “Master.” Tuya’s voice was soft and charming. She knelt on the blanket beside Lin Xiao and skillfully filled a bowl of kumis for him. Her movements were natural and charming. Lin Xiao didn’t look back, his eyes still fixed on the drawing. Seeing this, Tuya quickly stood up, pulled Agula by her side, and gently urged, “Come over and give your master a leg massage.” Agula’s body stiffened, a deep humiliation flashing in her eyes. It was fine for her to fight in battle, but asking her to serve the man who had destroyed her home was even more painful than killing her. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything either, just looked at her leisurely, his eyes calm, but with an invisible pressure. After a brief stalemate, Agula finally gave in. Resigned to her fate, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and walked stiffly to the couch. She knelt down like Tuya, stretched out her slightly trembling hand, and placed it on Lin Xiao’s leg. Her movements were stiff and her strength varied from time to time. It was more like venting than massaging. Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a playful smile, but he didn’t point it out. Instead, he changed to a more comfortable position, enjoying the service of the two most noble women on the grassland. He said lightly: “From now on, you will follow Tuya and learn how to be a woman.” Another half month passed like this. Lin Xiao completely relaxed and enjoyed a leisurely family time. On the grassland, he taught Lin Rui how to draw a small horn bow, the arrow head made of a soft cloth ball. “Aim carefully, and don’t blink.” Lin Rui held his breath, his face flushed crimson. With a whoosh, the ball of cloth flew crookedly out and landed on the grass a few steps away. Undeterred, the little guy ran to pick it up with a giggle and tried again. On the other side, Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were riding horses, galloping freely on the vast grassland, and their silver bell like laughter could be heard from far away. Their riding skills have improved a lot during this period, especially Yan Ruoxi, who was so brave that she even dared to stand up on the horse’s back, which made Lin Xiao jump with fear. In the afternoon, the family sat by the river, eating barbecue. The children took off their shoes and socks and played in the shallow river water. The black panther lay lazily not far away, occasionally shaking its tail. This conquered land is now filled with the most peaceful warmth. At this moment, a clear eagle cry was heard in the sky. A huge golden figure blocked out the sunlight, and a ball of fur fell from the sky, landing steadily beside the crowd, its folded wings bringing up a gust of wind. “Husband, is there any news?” Yan Ruotong walked over and asked. Lin Xiao untied a small bamboo tube from Maoqiu’s leg and pulled out a piece of paper. After just one glance, the leisurely smile on his face froze instantly, replaced by a hint of eagerness and joy. He raised his head, looked at everyone, took a deep breath and said, “I got a letter from home saying Nini is about to give birth. We have to go back immediately!” “What?” “Very good!” The women were instantly surprised and delighted. The leisurely atmosphere was instantly broken, and everyone immediately took action to pack up their things and comfort the children. Half an hour later, the ball of fur rose into the sky again, carrying Lin Xiao and his family, turned into a golden dot, and flew rapidly south. When the huge figure of the fur ball landed in the courtyard of the Qinglin County Magistrate’s Mansion, the entire mansion was filled with a tense yet joyful atmosphere. Aunt Wang was the first to rush out. Her eyes were red, but she had a smile on her face. When she saw Lin Xiao, she seemed to have found her backbone: “Brother Lin Xiao, you are finally back!” Before Lin Xiao could ask in detail, the door of the delivery room creaked open, and an experienced midwife came out with a smile on her face. She wiped the sweat from her hands and announced the good news loudly: “Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir! It’s a little boy, and both mother and child are safe!” “call……” Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, with genuine smiles on their faces. Lin Xiao walked quickly into the delivery room, and a strong smell of blood and herbs hit him in the face. Nini was lying on the bed, her face pale, her hair soaked with sweat, and she looked a little weak, but her eyes looking at Lin Xiao were surprisingly bright, full of happiness and love. “Brother Lin Xiao…” Her voice was very soft. “Thank you for your hard work.” Lin Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, holding her cold hand, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. He looked at the baby in the cradle next to him. The little guy’s face was wrinkled, like a little old man, but his breathing was steady and strong, and his eyes were tightly closed. Aunt Wang carefully picked up the child and handed it to Lin Xiao, her eyes full of expectation: “Brother Lin Xiao, please give the child a name.” When Lin Xiao took over this little life, a wonderful sense of blood connection arose spontaneously. He held the child in his arms, his heroic spirit rising to the sky: “My son, Lin Xiao, was born when my army pacified the northern border. Let’s name him Lin Dingbei!” “Dingbei…Lin Dingbei…” Nini and Aunt Wang whispered the name, tears welling up in their eyes. Lin Xiao walked out of the room holding the child. Looking at the happy faces, he suddenly felt proud. He raised the baby high in his hands and announced loudly: “Pass on my order! To celebrate the birth of my son, the entire Qinglin County will celebrate with me for three days! All workshops, farms, and military camps will receive rewards! Open the granaries and release grain, so that every citizen can have a meal of meat!” “Long live the Lord!” “Congratulations, young master!” As soon as the order was issued, cheers erupted from the County Magistrate’s Mansion like a wave, quickly sweeping across Qinglin County. Countless people rushed to tell each other, and the entire city was in an uproar. Tonight, the lights of Qinglin County are destined to remain bright. Chapter 398 Officially Becomes King! The celebration for Lin Dingbei’s birth lasted for three full days, and the entire Qinglin County was immersed in a sea of joy. Three days later, the noise subsided and the county magistrate’s office returned to its former order. In the study, a mountain of official documents almost submerged the large rosewood desk. These documents came from the newly recovered counties and prefectures, as well as from the distant grasslands of Anbei County. Each volume represented the pulse of a vast land. Lin Xiao was sitting behind the table, concentrating on reviewing a budget for the repair of water conservancy facilities in Jingmen County. The study was filled with the faint scent of ink and the sweet fragrance of a woman. Pei Xueyi, dressed in a simple, elegant long dress, sat quietly at a side table, sorting official documents by priority. Her work was meticulous and methodical. Meanwhile, Liu Ruyan, a woman of noble birth and exceptional insight, would occasionally offer Lin Xiao some advice on the wording of certain government matters, often hitting the nail on the head. With the assistance of two women, Lin Xiao handled matters much more efficiently. “Sir, this is the workshop report.” Pei Xueyi handed over a document. “The demand for cement is too great. Several newly recovered counties are applying for road construction, and some are in short supply.” Lin Xiao took it, looked at it, and nodded, “Expand three more cement production lines, giving priority to the construction of main roads and water conservancy facilities.” Liu Ruyan said softly, “Sir, the report sent from Anbei County states that many tribes have begun to accept our officials and laws, but… they are still somewhat resistant to having their children learn Chinese.” “There’s no rush for this.” Lin Xiao put down his pen. “Pass the word out. Children in the first batch of schools established in Anbei County will not only be enrolled for free, but will also receive a meat bun and a pound of coarse grains every day. I don’t believe there are still people who can’t eat.” When Liu Ruyan heard this, a smile appeared in her beautiful eyes. This method was simple and crude, but it would definitely be effective. While the matter was being handled, the personal guards came to report that Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others were already waiting in the conference room. Lin Xiao put down the work in his hands and went to the meeting room. County Magistrate’s Mansion, meeting hall. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other core officials stood on both sides with solemn expressions. Lin Xiao strode in and sat down directly in the main seat. “Tell me, how are you doing?” Song Qinghe was the first to step forward, holding a thick file in his hand. He spoke in a loud voice, unable to conceal his excitement: “Your Excellency! With the implementation of new policies and the reclaiming of wasteland and farmland across the territory, the registered population has exceeded 10 million, and is still growing rapidly!” As soon as he finished speaking, Li Dequan, who was in charge of people’s livelihood, excitedly added, “Sir, this year is a bumper harvest! Granaries everywhere are overflowing, and every household has surplus food. They no longer have to worry about starvation or freezing! This is a prosperous scene that we would never have dared to imagine in the past!” Sun Mingde grinned like a child and stepped forward. “Sir! The newly trained grassland cavalry, the ‘Dingbei Army,’ has reached 30,000 men. They are all the most capable warriors on the grassland. Equipped with our new equipment, their combat effectiveness is beginning to show!” The atmosphere in the hall heated up as reports and encouraging figures emerged one after another. Everyone present witnessed the earth shaking changes taking place on this land. After everyone finished reporting, Song Qinghe suddenly took a deep breath, stepped forward, and looked at Li Dequan. Then, they both lifted their official robes and knelt down straight in front of Lin Xiao. “grown ups!” Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and others were stunned when they saw this, but then they reacted and knelt down. You could hear a pin drop in the entire hall. Song Qinghe raised his head, gazing at Lin Xiao with burning eyes, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: “Sir! You now control a vast territory, command hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and have the hearts and minds of the people, respected by the world! In contrast, the Great Zhou court has a foolish emperor, corrupt government, and has long lost the support of the people!” He paused, then spoke each word with a resounding voice: “As the old saying goes, if the name is not right, then the words will not flow, and if the words are not flowing, then the deeds will not succeed! Your Excellency’s achievements are unparalleled, and your virtues are known far and wide, yet you still hold the position of a mere county governor. This is truly our fault! To reassure the people of the world and establish a foundation for eternity, we earnestly implore you to ascend the throne and establish your place in the world!” “Please, my lord, be king!” Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian… everyone shouted in unison, their voices merged into a torrent, stirring in the hall. There was a fanatical fire burning in the eyes of each of them, which was the voice of all of them. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything. He stood up and walked slowly to the huge map of the territory hanging in the center of the hall. On the map, the red color representing his power has spread from Qinglin County in the northeast corner to the entire north, and even deep into the heart of the grassland. It is like a tiger ready to pounce, overlooking the weak territory in the south that still belongs to the Great Zhou. He remembered the embarrassment he faced when he first came here, and how he initially just wanted to live a comfortable life in a corner with a wife and children, and a warm bed. But this chaotic world pushed him step by step to where he is today. As he looked at the map, what emerged in his mind were the faces of countless people crying with joy because they got food, the sound of children reading aloud in the newly built school, and the eyes of the soldiers looking at him with trust and admiration. This is not just his problem. What he carries on his shoulders are the livelihoods and futures of tens of millions of people. The time has indeed come. Lin Xiao slowly turned around and glanced at each of his trusted subordinates kneeling below. The blazing anticipation in their eyes made him no longer hesitate. He spoke in a deep voice, not loud, but clearly heard by everyone. “good.” It’s just one word, but it carries a lot of weight. The hall was silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers. Song Qinghe and the others were so moved that they burst into tears and kowtowed repeatedly. Lin Xiao raised his hand, and when everyone quieted down, his eyes gleamed with an unprecedented light, and he announced loudly: “Pass on my order and announce it to the world! From this day forward, I, Lin Xiao, declare myself king of the North, and shall be known as the ‘King of the Northern Territory’! I shall establish the Zhenbei Kingdom, make Qinglin my capital, and change the era name to ‘Kaiyuan’! All counties and prefectures under my jurisdiction shall be my territories in the North!” As the news came out, it was like a thunderclap, instantly spreading to every inch of land under Lin Xiao’s rule. From the prosperous Qinglin City to the distant Anbei County, from the noisy factory workshops to the quiet fields, countless officials, soldiers, and civilians were stunned at first, and then burst into earth shaking cheers after hearing the news. “Long live the king!” “Long live the King of the North!” “Kaiyuan! We have our own reign title now!” Countless people rushed to tell each other and cried with joy. To them, Lin Xiao had long been the king in their hearts, the god who led them out of darkness and brought them food, clothing, and hope. Today’s announcement simply made all of this more legitimate. The entire northern border was in an uproar. Countless towns spontaneously decorated themselves with lights and every household brought out their best food, celebrating the birth of their common king as if it were the grandest festival. A brand new kingdom is emerging in the north of the Great Zhou like a rising sun. Chapter 399 Coronation Ceremony The Council Chamber a few days later. “No! The ceremony budget must be cut!” Li Dequan slapped the blueprint. “There’s so much to rebuild right now, and money is needed everywhere. Building a canal is more important than any ceremony!” Song Qinghe held his forehead, feeling that all his years of cultivation were almost worn away by this old fellow. “Brother Dequan, this is wrong! This isn’t a ceremony, it’s a national ceremony! If the name isn’t right, then the words won’t flow. If you keep things simple during your ascension, won’t the world look down on our Zhenbei Kingdom?” Li Dequan shook his head like a rattle. “Why all this extravagance? Don’t you know who the king is? He doesn’t like these empty things. In my opinion, it would be better to save the money for the stage and buy tens of thousands of pounds of pork. Then, on the day of your coronation, all the people under your rule can enjoy a hearty meal of braised pork! That’s more practical than anything else!” “You…you are just a country bumpkin!” Song Qinghe was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, “This is about rectifying one’s status! It’s the foundation of the country!” “I am just a villager! The foundation of the country is to have enough food for the people!” Li Dequan refused to give in. The two argued until their faces turned red, and neither could convince the other. On the side, Zhang Fuan, who was responsible for the repair of the royal palace and the production of crowns and robes, had no time to pay attention to them. He was leading a group of top craftsmen, working on a huge piece of rosewood. He is now in charge of the entire northern workshop and holds an extraordinary status, but at this moment he looks like a newly apprentice carpenter, his eyes full of piety and fanaticism. “The backrest of the throne should be carved with an eagle, just like the divine eagle that your Excellency owns! It should spread its wings, overlooking the world!” Zhang Fuan commanded with spit flying, “Remember, what we need is momentum and majesty, not those fancy dragons and phoenixes! Our king is different from that shitty emperor!” In the study, Pei Xueyi and Liu Ruyan were discussing quietly over several pieces of the finest fabrics. “In my opinion, the royal robe should not be bright yellow. That is the color of the Great Zhou Dynasty and it is unlucky.” Liu Ruyan’s slender jade fingers brushed across a piece of dark black brocade, which shimmered faintly in the light. “Black is the most respected color, symbolizing the water and fertile soil of the north, and it represents stability. Embroider wheat ears and gears on the collar and cuffs with gold thread, representing our Zhenbei Kingdom’s agricultural and industrial roots. What do you think, Sister Pei?” Pei Xueyi smiled and nodded, her eyes full of approval: “Sister, you are absolutely right. The king is no ordinary emperor, and this royal robe is just what he wants.” Soon, the news reached the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Li Yan was holding a carving knife, concentrating on carving a lifelike wooden mandarin duck. This was a gift for his new concubine. A eunuch rushed in, tumbling and crawling, and knelt on the ground, his voice shaking like a sieve: “Your Majesty… Your Majesty… This is bad… The traitor Lin Xiao… He, he has declared himself king in the north!” “Pah.” The carving knife fell to the ground, leaving a glaring scratch on the exquisite mandarin duck’s neck. Li Yan’s face instantly turned the color of liver. He suddenly grabbed the disabled mandarin duck and smashed it to the ground, sending wood chips flying everywhere. “Traitor! Rebel!” He roared hysterically and kicked over the tool rack beside him, and all kinds of precious wood and tools were scattered all over the ground. “How dare he! A peasant, how dare he!” He roared and roared, his voice echoing in the empty palace, but it seemed so powerless. After cursing, he slumped down on the dragon throne, his eyes filled with anger and helplessness. He knew that the so called elite troops under his command were nothing more than a bunch of chickens and dogs in front of Lin Xiao’s army. He could do nothing. Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan sat quietly in front of the window, listening to the palace maid’s whispered report, her expression calm without a trace of disturbance. She had expected this result a long time ago. That man is no longer constrained by the territory of the Great Zhou. Okay. She sighed softly in her heart. At least, the people in the north no longer had to suffer from displacement. She waved the maid away and walked to the desk alone. She took a piece of plain letter paper and dipped her pen in ink. The ink fell on the paper, spreading a few lines of beautiful small characters: “I heard you were coming to the northern border. From the depths of the palace, I offer my best wishes. May the people of the northern border remain safe and sound.” In the first year of Kaiyuan, on the ninth day of the ninth month, it is a good time to ascend the throne and benefit the world. On this day, the streets of Qinglin City were deserted. From inside the city to outside the city, all the main roads were crowded with people. Everyone wore their best clothes, and their faces were filled with genuine joy and excitement. Zhao Mancang, holding his granddaughter Xiaoqiuqiu, was squeezed to the front of the crowd, with tears streaming down his skinny face. He pointed to the newly built, nine zhang high throne in the distance and said to his little granddaughter in his arms, choking with tears, “Little Qiuqiu, look, do you see that? That’s our king! He’s the one who feeds us and gives us land to farm! You must remember the king’s kindness in this life and the next!” Xiaoqiuqiu nodded and waved the small flag in his hand vigorously. Not far away, Zhao Wu, dressed in brand new military uniform, stood in the ranks, his posture as straight as a pine tree. His unit was the honor guard for this grand ceremony, a supreme honor. He looked at the platform with burning eyes, his heart filled with unprecedented pride and sense of belonging. He saw his sister Zhao Xiaocao standing on tiptoe in the crowd, waving at him excitedly. The brother and sister’s eyes met in the air, and they saw the happy smile in each other’s eyes. The broken families and the displacements of the past have all turned into infinite hope for the future at this moment. Wang Tiezhu and his son Wang Gousheng from Jiaoshi County also came. Wang Tiezhu has been cautious all his life, but at this moment he was infected by the overwhelming atmosphere around him and his face turned red with excitement. Wang Gousheng was even more daring. He climbed directly onto a big tree with an excellent view. He shouted at the top of his lungs along with the people around him. “Dong dong dong dong” Nine dull and distant bells rang out, and the originally noisy crowd instantly quieted down, with thousands of eyes focused on the platform. Surrounded by a group of civil and military officials including Song Qinghe and Li Dequan, Lin Xiao stepped onto the platform step by step. What he wore today was the black royal robe designed by Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi. There were no dragons or phoenixes on the robe, only eagles with spread wings and golden ears of wheat. On his head was a black tiger crown with gold edges, shining coldly and solidly in the sunlight. He walked to the center of the platform and turned to face the crowd of people below. Song Qinghe stepped forward, unfolded a scroll of imperial edict, and read aloud with all his strength, his voice echoing throughout the square. “…following the will of Heaven and responding to the people’s needs, reforming the old ways and establishing the new, now in the north, I establish the Northern Guarding Kingdom and change the era name to Kaiyuan… Your Majesty is wise and virtuous, and the people are loyal to you…” When the last word fell, Song Qinghe and all the officials knelt down and shouted: “Long live our king, long live our king, long live our king!” The people in the audience were stunned for a moment, and then erupted in a thunderous response like dry firewood being ignited. “Long live the king! Long live the Zhenbei Kingdom!” “Long live the king!” The cheers were louder and louder, reaching the sky. Lin Xiao raised his hand and pressed lightly. Miraculously, the deafening cheers gradually died down, and everyone held their breath, looking at him with the most passionate eyes . Lin Xiao looked at the simple yet hopeful faces below and didn’t say any empty, formal words: “I, Lin Xiao, swear an oath here today.” “From this day forward, everyone in my northern kingdom will have food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their heads, and books to read.” “Whoever invades our territory will be punished, no matter how far away they are!” These two short sentences were like two thunderclaps, striking everyone’s heart hard. At the same time, a huge black tiger flag rose slowly at the highest point of the palace, facing the morning sun! After a brief silence, there was even crazier and more enthusiastic cheering! “Long live the king! Long live the king! Long, long live the king!” Countless people were so excited that tears streamed down their faces. They knelt on the ground and offered their most sincere respect and support to the figure on the platform. Lin Xiao stood on the high platform, watching the people below bow their heads, his heart clear. From this day on, he was no longer just Lin Xiao, he was also the king of this vast territory, the protector of these millions of people. An era belonging to him has officially begun. Chapter 400 Reward The noise of the ceremony gradually faded away, but the entire Qinglin City was still immersed in a kind of excited joy. The atmosphere in the newly completed royal palace’s council hall was solemn and lively. Lin Xiao sat upright on a newly crafted rosewood throne. Carved on the back of the throne was an eagle with wings spread, ready to take flight. Its sharp eyes gazed out in all directions, exactly like a ball of fur. Below, Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and other core civil and military officials stood solemnly with their hands hanging down, each of them with excitement and anticipation on their face. “The kingdom is newly established, and there is much to be done. I will remember your contributions.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard throughout the hall. “Today, we will reward you according to your merits.” His eyes swept over Song Qinghe. “Song Qinghe.” “I’m here!” Song Qinghe stepped out, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. “From today on, you will be the Prime Minister of our Zhenbei Kingdom, in charge of all officials and assisting this king in handling government affairs.” Song Qinghe suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief, and then he bowed deeply in submission: “Your Majesty… obeys your command! I will serve our king and the Northern Kingdom with all my heart and soul, until my death!” Lin Xiao nodded and looked at Li Dequan again. “Li Dequan.” “I am here!” “You are the Minister of Revenue, in charge of the country’s finances, household registration and people’s livelihood. Whether the people of Zhenbei Kingdom can have enough food and clothing depends on you.” Li Dequan kowtowed heavily and choked up, saying, “Your Majesty, rest assured! As long as I am still breathing, I will never let a single citizen go hungry!” “Sun Mingde!” “I’m here!” Sun Mingde grinned and stepped out of the line. “I appoint you as Grand Marshal, commanding all the troops of the Northern Kingdom!” “Hahaha! Thank you, Your Majesty! From now on, my sword will be yours. Wherever Your Majesty points, I will chop!” “Wang Jian.” “I’m here!” Wang Jian stood up with a firm expression. “I appoint you as General of Chariots and Cavalry, assisting the Grand Marshal, and guarding the Northern Kingdom for me.” Wang Jian knelt on one knee and said in a steady voice, “I obey your orders!” “Zhang Fuan.” “Your Majesty…Your Majesty is here!” Zhang Fuan was immersed in excitement. When his name was called, he shuddered and almost tripped himself. “I appoint you as the Minister of Works. All of our Zhenbei Kingdom’s construction, workshops, and military equipment will be under your control.” Zhang Fuan’s face flushed with excitement. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed vigorously: “Your Majesty! Just wait and see! I will definitely create more and more powerful treasures for us!” As rewards were bestowed one after another, all the civil and military officials in the hall returned to their positions, and a brand new court of the kingdom took shape. Everyone knelt down and shouted “Long live the emperor”, the sound shaking the tiles of Liang. At night, the rear hall of the palace was brightly lit. The women and children gathered together, chattering, and the atmosphere was much more lively than in the previous hall. When Lin Xiao walked in, the children immediately surrounded him like a flock of birds. “Father!” “Father, give me a hug!” Lin Xiao smiled and picked up the little ones one by one, weighing them, and then looked at the group of women who were looking at him with sparkling eyes . Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi are still so dazzling when standing together. “Ruotong, Ruoxi.” Lin Xiao said with a smile, “You are my first wives. From today on, you are both princesses, regardless of your roles.” Upon hearing this, the two women’s brows lit up with joy, their eyes flickering as they bowed in unison, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Lin Xiao looked at Liu Ruyan and Pei Xueyi again. “Liu Ruyan, Lady Xianyi. Pei Xueyi, Lady Shurong.” A touching smile bloomed on Liu Ruyan’s cold face, while Pei Xueyi lowered her head shyly, her ears red. Then, it was Sister Lin, Aunt Wang, Zhang Wanqing… one by one, they were all awarded the title of Madam, each with a title. Even the two little maids, Yan Jing and Yan Susu, were given the title of “Zhaoyi”. For a moment, the hall was filled with laughter and the beauty of spring was endless. Nini was the boldest. She walked forward, stood on tiptoe and kissed Lin Xiao on the face, sticking out her tongue: “Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty.” This caused the girls to laugh. That night, the palace was filled with the beauty of spring, with dragons and phoenixes singing in harmony. Lin Xiao rewarded these women who loved him with his actions, and it lasted until late at night. After dealing with the many complicated government affairs after ascending the throne for several days, Lin Xiao had a rare moment of leisure. With a wave of his hand, he decided to take his family with him to take a good look at his own kingdom. Several large carriages pulled by four horses slowly drove out of the palace. The interior of the carriages was covered with thick blankets, and snacks and fruits were readily available. The shock absorption was excellent, and the carriages were as smooth as walking on flat ground. Lin Xiao and his women and children sat in the most spacious main carriage, laughing and chatting all the way. In the back, in an equally comfortable carriage, Tuya and Agula were sitting inside. The carriage drove onto the main road of Qinglin City. Tuya’s breathing suddenly stopped. What she saw was a flat, clean, cement road wide enough to accommodate eight carriages running side by side. On both sides of the street are rows of two story or even three story shops with bright signboards and clean windows. What shocked her even more were the people walking on the street. Whether men, women or the elderly, almost all of them wore clean and tidy cloth clothes. Their faces did not have the vicissitudes and numbness eroded by wind and frost of the grassland herdsmen. Instead, they were filled with a confident and comfortable look. “This is the master’s kingdom. They all look…well fed.” Tuya muttered to herself. She saw a long queue in front of a meat bun shop. The steaming hot meat buns that had just come out of the oven were quickly sold out, and the people in the queue were clearly civilians wearing coarse clothes. On the grassland, this is a treatment that only nobles can enjoy every meal. Agula crossed his arms, snorted coldly, turned his head to the side, and avoided looking at the scene outside the window. “They are nothing but some flashy buildings, a group of sheep that have been kept in captivity and have lost their passion.” She said with disdain, but she couldn’t help glancing out the window out of the corner of her eye. She saw a group of children, carrying cloth backpacks, running out of a beautiful building, laughing and playfully. On the building’s gate hung a sign that read “Qinglin City’s First School.” The children’s eyes were startlingly bright, filled with longing for the future. This look was completely different from the confusion and wildness in the eyes of children of the same age she saw on the grassland. The convoy passed through a huge square. In the center of the square was a hero monument, engraved with the names of soldiers who had died in previous wars. Many people spontaneously laid flowers in front of the monument with solemn expressions. Seeing this scene, Tuya’s heart moved slightly. She quietly asked the guards in the carriage, “Was this also… built by order of your king?” The guard puffed out his chest, his face filled with uncontrollable pride. “Yes! The king said that every soldier who died protecting their homeland must not be forgotten! Their families will be supported by the kingdom for life!” Tuya fell completely silent. The master not only possessed tremendous power, but also knew how to win people’s hearts. A system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Tuya’s favorability +2, current favorability 7.] Lin Xiao’s lips curled up slightly. He wanted to show them what kind of world he had built, which was more convincing than any sword or words. Agula still had a cold expression on her face, but her tightly clenched fists revealed her inner unrest. All the prosperity, stability and hope before her eyes were like a heavy hammer, hitting her grassland law of “survival of the fittest” again and again, causing cracks in her proud beliefs for the first time. Chapter 401: Faith Cracked The carriage drove out of Qinglin City and did not stop, but continued to drive towards an area outside the city where chimneys were everywhere. The atmosphere in the carriage where Tuya and Agula were was a bit solemn. Soon, a heat wave mixed with coal smoke and the smell of iron penetrated through the gaps in the car window, accompanied by a deafening roar. Tuya couldn’t help but lift a corner of the car curtain, and was instantly shocked by the scene in front of her and gasped. Dozens of towering chimneys pierce the sky, tirelessly spewing out thick smoke like giant beasts. Under the chimneys are huge factory buildings with rows of huge windows on the walls. You can see swaying figures inside and flames shooting into the sky. “What…what is that?” Tuya’s voice trembled slightly. Agula also frowned and looked over, equally overwhelmed by the overwhelming momentum. Compared to this place, the blacksmith shop on the grassland was like a child’s toy. The convoy did not stop and drove slowly around the area called the “industrial zone”. They saw piles of iron ingots and coal, and countless workers in uniform, busy at their respective posts. The orderly and efficient scene made Agula, who was used to the casualness and laxity among tribal herdsmen, feel a chill from the bottom of his heart. This is no longer human power, it is some kind of rule and power that she cannot understand. Leaving the industrial area, the carriage drove towards another vast field. Different from the scene in the city, the scene here is another kind of shock. The endless fields were laid out in squares like a chessboard, with countless cement ditches crisscrossing, bringing river water to each field. Huge water wheels were slowly turning, lifting water from low areas to high areas. In the fields, the crops are growing well, a lush green expanse full of vitality. Many farmers are working in the fields. Although their faces are covered with sweat, they are more satisfied and at ease. Tuya’s eyes were filled with envy. On the grasslands, a harsh winter could freeze countless cattle and sheep to death, leaving countless tribesmen starving. But here, food seemed to be steadily “produced.” Agula pursed his lips and said nothing. The grassland cavalry she was proud of relied on their bloodiness and bravery, but Lin Xiao’s army relied on the steel weapons that were continuously produced in those factories. Her people depended on cattle and sheep for food, but Lin Xiao’s people could make the land grow enough food steadily. This gap can no longer be made up by bravery. Back in the palace’s villa, Tuya poured a cup of milk tea for the silent Agula. “Agula, you saw it all,” Tuya said softly. “Master… he built a country that we could never have imagined.” “Hmph, nothing more than some gimmicky tricks.” Agula picked up the milk tea, his voice still cold, but a little less confident. “Turning people into slaves, erasing the warriors’ blood, such people are nothing more than a group of lambs to be slaughtered.” Tuya looked at her without refutation, saying quietly, “But these ‘lambs’ are well fed and clothed, and their children can even learn to read and write for free. On the grasslands, only the children of nobles have such opportunities. Moreover… it was the weapons forged by these ‘lambs’ that defeated our 300,000 grassland warriors.” Agula’s grip on the cup suddenly tightened, and a few drops of hot milk tea splashed out, but she seemed unaware. Yes, we were defeated. Completely defeated. Her mind kept recalling everything she had seen during the day: the tall chimneys, the neatly arranged fields, the comfortable expressions on the people’s faces… All of this was like a heavy hammer hitting the beliefs she had built up over the past eighteen years. His father, Khan Altan Khan, was an eagle of the grassland, but he only knew how to lead his people to rob and plunder. Lin Xiao, on the other hand, knew how to create and build. It is clear at a glance who is superior and who is inferior. Agula’s heart was in turmoil. For the first time, she felt that her father, the Khan… might really be wrong. Just when she was feeling upset, the door was pushed open and Lin Xiao walked in. “Master!” Tuya immediately stood up, a gentle smile on her face, and walked towards him. Lin Xiao nodded, his eyes fell on Agula, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: “Why, are you still mourning for your grassland?” Agula suddenly looked up, glared at him fiercely, and turned his head away. “Tuya, go and get ready first. I will rest here with you tonight.” Lin Xiao ordered. “Yes, Master.” Tuya responded meekly. There were only two people left in the hall. Lin Xiao walked up to Agula and looked down at her: “You come too.” Agula’s body stiffened, his face flushed red instantly, and his eyes blazed with anger: “Don’t even think about it!” Lin Xiao just smiled, reached out and pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze. “You have no choice.” When their eyes met, Agula saw a hint of irresistible majesty in Lin Xiao’s calm eyes. Eventually, the anger in her eyes faded, transforming into humiliation and helplessness. She slowly stood up, her movements stiff, but ultimately she didn’t resist anymore. Lin Xiao looked at her like this and smiled inwardly. In his mind, the system’s voice sounded at the right moment. [Agula’s favorability +4, current favorability 7. ] The next day, Agula sat at the desk and spread out paper and pen. She wanted to write a letter to her father Khan. In the letter, she described in detail what she had seen and heard in Zhenbei Kingdom, from the solid concrete walls, to the weapons that could summon skyfire, to the factories that could produce countless steels, and the farmlands that could feed everyone. A week later, the letter was delivered to Altan Khan, who was still deep in the grassland. Looking at the contents of the letter, Altan Khan’s face turned from white to blue, and from blue to purple. “Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!” He crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it hard on the ground. “How could a southerner build such a kingdom in just a few years?” He was shocked by Lin Xiao’s strength, but also felt a sense of fear. Fortunately, he surrendered quickly, otherwise the entire grassland tribe would have been uprooted. But after the shock and fear, what came to my heart was endless resentment and unwillingness. “Lin Xiao! Just wait! You stole my land and my woman. Sooner or later, I, Altan Khan, will settle this account with you! The grassland will one day be back in my hands!” A few days later, after Lin Xiao finished his government affairs, he strolled to the backyard of the palace. As soon as I walked into the garden, I heard a clear and pleasant nursery rhyme with a strong grassland flavor. Tuya was sitting cross legged on a piece of soft grass, surrounded by several half grown children including Lin Rui, Lin Xin, and Zhang Chengyu. “Mother Moon, with her silver hair combed, rides on the stars and descends the western tower…” Tuya is teaching the children to sing a nursery rhyme from the grassland in Chinese with a grassland accent. Her voice was gentle, her expression focused, and the sunlight shining on her plump and attractive curves made her whole body exude a maternal glow. The children learned the tricks very well, giggling and rolling around on the grass. Yan Ruoxi, Liu Ruyan and other women were also standing by, watching the scene with smiles on their faces. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Seeing Lin Xiao coming back, Tuya stopped singing, walked up to him, walked behind him naturally, stretched out her soft little hands, and gently massaged his shoulders. “Master, thank you for your hard work.” Lin Xiao closed his eyes, enjoying the tranquility and tenderness, feeling at peace in his heart. This is the life he wants. Chapter 402: Thousand Miles of Sound Transmission These women, these children, and this land are all he wants to protect. Tuya’s obedience and integration made him feel very comfortable. This woman from the grassland was smart and pragmatic. She knew how to make her life better and how to please men. When he walked forward, the children immediately stopped playing and looked up at him. Lin Xiao rubbed the heads of several children, then naturally pulled Tuya’s hand and whispered a few words in her ear. Tuya’s face turned red all the way from her cheeks to her ears. She lowered her head shyly, hummed softly, and then nodded gently. Her shy and charming appearance forms a great contrast with her plump and mature figure, which has a unique charm. [Tuya’s favorability +4, current favorability 11. ] Lin Xiao smiled and felt happier as he could participate in the lottery again. After the women and their children left, Lin Xiao returned to the study and checked the system. “System, draw a lottery!” Lin Xiao muttered to himself. The roulette wheel in front of me began to spin rapidly, and the golden light almost overflowed the screen. Finally, the speed of the roulette wheel gradually slowed down, and the pointer slowly stopped on a golden grid. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Telephone Technology (Full Set from Modern to Contemporary Technology)!] In an instant, a flood of information flooded into Lin Xiao’s mind. From the most basic principles of electromagnetic induction, to the complete structural diagram of a hand cranked magnetic telephone, to the switchboard and cable laying methods, everything was clearly imprinted in his memory. Lin Xiao was stunned at first, and then a surge of ecstasy suddenly rushed to his head! Telephone! This is a phone! He stood up from his chair excitedly, paced back and forth in the study, his fists clenched tightly, his face showing uncontrollable ecstasy. The significance of this thing, in this era, is simply a miracle! In terms of military, with the telephone, he could sit in Qinglin and transmit orders to the border defense of Anbei County thousands of miles away within minutes . What does it mean to plan and win battles from afar? This is it! The efficiency and response speed of military deployment will be increased by more than a hundredfold! In government affairs, reports from counties and orders from the court no longer need to be delivered by fast horses for ten days or half a month. The telephone lines are like nerves extending to every corner of the kingdom, allowing him to control the entire Zhenbei Kingdom to an unprecedented terrifying level! Not to mention its applications in business and people’s livelihood. This thing can truly connect his vast territory into a whole! Its strategic significance is even more important than having an additional 100,000 troops! “Good! Good! Great!” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but growl, with a terrifying gleam in his eyes. The next morning, it was just dawn. The Minister of Works, Zhang Fuan, was woken up from his bed by the palace guards. “The king summoned you?” Zhang Fuan was startled, and the sleepiness disappeared in an instant. He seemed to be given an injection of chicken blood and began to put on his clothes in a hurry. “Quick! Bring me my official uniform!” His voice was shaking with excitement. The king summoned me! Or summoned me alone! Zhang Fuan knew exactly what this meant. It meant that the king was about to reveal something earth shattering and wonderful! Every time the king produced a new blueprint, it signaled a radical change for the Zhenbei Kingdom. From cement to steel, to muskets and artillery, each one seemed like a miracle. With a pilgrimage like mood, Zhang Fuan trotted all the way to the study in the palace. “Your Majesty, I am Zhang Fuan, your servant, here to pay my respects to the king!” He knelt on the ground, his face flushed with excitement. “Fuan, you’re here.” Lin Xiao pointed to the seat next to him, “Sit down.” He pushed over several drawings that he had drawn overnight. “Look at this.” Zhang Fuan took the drawing respectfully, took a look at it, and was stunned. The drawing showed a strange wooden box with two things that looked like speakers on it, a hand cranked handle, and a long wire extending from the box. “Your Majesty, what…what is this?” “This thing is called a ‘telephone.'” Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a mysterious smile. “Fuan, do you want to talk to someone who is a hundred miles away as if we were face to face?” Zhang Fuan’s eyes widened instantly, and his mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg. “Your Majesty, are you talking about…a thousand mile sound transmission?” This is no longer a method used by mortals, it is a magic spell that only gods have! Lin Xiao smiled and shook his head: “It’s not magic, it’s the principle of studying things. Come with me.” He brought the completely confused Zhang Fuan out of the hall, pointed at a pool of clear water, and dropped a stone. “Look, do the waves spread from the middle to the edge of the pool?” Zhang Fuan nodded subconsciously. “What I want you to do is to create a special ‘thread’ so that my voice can travel along it to the other end, just like this water wave.” Lin Xiao began to explain the principle of the telephone in the simplest and most straightforward way. He did not mention electricity or magnetism, but simply said it was “an invisible force.” “This wire must be made of the purest copper, drawn into a thin filament. The thinner the better. It must be wrapped with rubber or silk thread to prevent the copper wire inside from being exposed.” “This is an earpiece and a microphone. When we speak into the microphone, the sound becomes a kind of ‘vibration’ that travels along the copper wire. The earpiece on the other end then turns this ‘vibration’ back into sound.” “And this, a magnet, is just like a magnet, but we need to make something stronger. And this box, which requires a combination of several different metal pieces and acid water. It can generate continuous ‘force’ and push the ‘vibration’ along the line…” Zhang Fuan was completely confused and his head was in a mess. He didn’t understand a single word about “vibration” or “power”. However, he understood the last sentence. ——It allows people who are hundreds of miles away to talk as if they are face to face. That’s enough! As long as the king says it, it will definitely come true! Zhang Fuan’s breathing became heavy. When he looked at the drawing, he was no longer looking at an object, but at a sacred object! He suddenly knelt on the ground, holding up the blueprint with both hands, his voice trembling with excitement: “Your Majesty! I understand! I…I will do it right away! Even if I have to burn down the furnace in the workshop, I will definitely build this ‘telephone’ for you!” Looking at Zhang Fuan’s fanatical look, Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. This is exactly the momentum he wants. “Go ahead,” Lin Xiao instructed. “I’ll give you a few more blueprints. One is for a wire drawing machine, specifically for drawing copper wire. Another is about rubber refining and plastic synthesis, used to make insulation for copper wire and phone casings.” “First, organize the manpower and get these raw materials for me. If you don’t have enough manpower, recruit more. If you don’t have enough money, ask Li Dequan for it. If the workshop isn’t big enough, expand it! I only have one request, and that’s as soon as possible!” “Yes! I obey your command!” Zhang Fuan took the drawings that seemed to weigh a thousand pounds with trembling hands, put them carefully in his arms as if they were imperial edicts, and walked backwards out of the study. As soon as he left the house, he ran towards the workshop area outside the city at the speed of a 100 meter sprint, muttering non stop: “Phone…Phone…Thousand mile voice transmission…” He will immediately summon the best craftsmen in the entire North, and he will turn the king’s “oracle” into reality! Chapter 403 Phone Call Zhang Fuan held those thin drawings, feeling more careful than if he were holding his newborn baby. He ran all the way from the palace back to the Ministry of Works, and even his official hat was tilted. He rushed into the Ministry of Works, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Everyone, come here! All the managers, the best craftsmen, all of you, get out here! This is a huge deal!” For a moment, there was chaos. Those who were in charge of smelting, hammering, and carpentry all gathered around in a daze. Looking at Minister Zhang’s expression, which looked like he was about to ascend to heaven or had just seen a ghost, everyone’s heart was pounding. “Sir Shangshu, what’s going on?” an old craftsman asked cautiously. Zhang Fuan slammed the blueprint on the table, his face flushed with excitement, spit flying everywhere. “The king… the king has given an oracle! We need to build something called a ‘telephone’ that can… can transmit sound over thousands of miles!” “What the hell?” “A thousand mile sound transmission? Isn’t that a method used by gods?” “Since the king said so, it will definitely work!” “Get started!” After a while, the atmosphere in the core laboratory of the Institute of Physics of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology became tense and solemn. Zhang Fuan was sweating profusely as he directed the top craftsmen in the North to carefully handle telephone parts. “Slow down! Slow down! If you break a copper wire, I will skin you alive!” Zhang Fuan shouted in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the hands of an old master. The old master’s hands were very steady. Decades of experience as a craftsman allowed him to easily carve words on rice grains. But at this moment, he was holding a copper wire as thin as a hair, and his palms were full of sweat. What he had to do was to wrap the copper wire tightly and evenly around a small iron core according to the requirements of the drawing. There should be no overlap, no gaps, and the number of circles must be exact. This work is more delicate than embroidery. “No, try again.” A calm voice sounded, and Lin Xiao stood behind the master without him noticing. He did not mean to blame at all, but just stretched out his hand and took the tools from the master’s hand naturally. “Look, your wrist needs to be steady, your strength needs to be even, and your mind needs to be calm.” Under the awe inspiring gazes of the crowd, Lin Xiao’s fingers seemed to carry a strange magic, and the disobedient copper wire became extremely docile in his hands. His movements were not fast, but smooth, one circle, two circles… the copper wires were neatly arranged on the iron core, as if they were born to be there, perfect like a work of art. In just a moment, a delicate coil was formed. The whole laboratory was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and all the craftsmen were stunned. They looked at Lin Xiao as if they were looking at a god walking on earth. These techniques that seemed impossible to them were as easy as eating and drinking in the hands of the king. Zhang Fuan was so excited that his whole body was shaking. He looked at the small coil as if he saw the birth of a miracle. He firmly believed that this thing would be able to achieve “transmitting sound over thousands of miles” as the king had said. “Your Majesty, I…I am stupid.” Zhang Fuan knelt down with a plop, his face full of fanaticism and admiration. “Get up,” Lin Xiao handed the coil to him. “Follow this standard and try a few more times. Practice makes perfect. Remember, this is the biggest secret of our Zhenbei Kingdom and the cornerstone of our future control of the world.” “Yes! We will not refuse even if it means death!” Zhang Fuan and a group of craftsmen responded in unison, their voices filled with endless enthusiasm. In the following days, Lin Xiao spent almost every day in the Gewuyuan. He personally guided the craftsmen to smelt high purity magnets, prepare acid water batteries that could generate “power”, and assemble every precision part. Under his guidance, one problem after another was overcome, and the prototype of the telephone became clearer and clearer. It was late at night and the lights in the palace study were still bright. Liu Ruyan walked in quietly, holding a bowl of ginseng soup. Seeing Lin Xiao still fiddling with a bunch of oddly shaped parts on the table, she put down the ginseng soup and asked softly, “Your Majesty, it’s late at night, are you still busy with these?” Her slender fingers curiously touched a brass trumpet on the table, then looked at the iron lumps wrapped with silk thread. “What are these ingenious objects used for?” Lin Xiao put down his work, smiled, and pulled her into his arms. He pointed at the parts and explained, “These things, when put together, are called a ‘phone.’ Once it’s finished, you can use it to talk to your sister, who’s thousands of miles away, as if she were standing right in front of you.” “What?” Liu Ruyan covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes full of disbelief. Talking to a sister thousands of miles away? This… isn’t this something only gods can do? She stared at Lin Xiao in a daze, looking into his deep and confident eyes, and her heart was shocked beyond words. This man always managed to come up with something that would overturn her perceptions. Cement, steel, muskets, cannons… and now, he could even create the legendary “Thousand Mile Sound Transmission” technique. After the shock, there is an overwhelming admiration and love. She leaned into Lin Xiao’s arms, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him lightly on the lips. “In Ruyan’s heart, the king has long been an omnipotent god.” [Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by 2, currently at 59.] Lin Xiao smiled, enjoying the tenderness. Half a month later. Thanks to the almost sleepless efforts of Zhang Fuan and a group of craftsmen, the first hand cranked telephone and a small switch consisting of dozens of jacks and cables were finally assembled in the Gewuyuan. Looking at the oddly shaped wooden box in front of him, Zhang Fuan was so excited that tears filled his eyes. He carefully stroked the smooth painted surface of the phone , as if he was caressing his own child. Success! They really created the “divine object” the king had mentioned! Lin Xiao checked it over and nodded with satisfaction: “Very good. Next, let’s proceed to the first step of the test.” He immediately gave the order. “Pass the order down. Immediately install the first telephone line between the palace study and the government hall!” As soon as the order came out, the entire capital was in an uproar. Countless people watched with curiosity as teams of workers, escorted by guards, began to erect tall wooden electric poles every few dozen meters along the main road from the palace to the government hall. “What are you doing? Are you going to hang a new royal flag?” “No, it doesn’t look like that. Look, they even put a porcelain bottle on top of the pole.” “I heard from my relatives at the Ministry of Works that the King has invented another magical thing! It’s called a ‘telephone’ and it allows people to talk to each other even miles apart!” “Is this true? Wouldn’t that make him a super eared person?” The people were talking about it, stopping to watch, pointing at the tall electric poles, their faces full of curiosity and awe. Soon, workers began pulling rolls of copper wire wrapped in black rubber from one pole to another and fixing them to the porcelain bottles at the top. That black line, under the blue sky, connected the center of royal power and the hub of government affairs. Chapter 404: Miracle Coming Everything is ready. In the palace study, Lin Xiao leaned back leisurely, a dark, rustic wooden telephone placed before him. Several miles away, in the meeting room of the government hall, another identical telephone became the focus of everyone’s attention. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian… all the core civil and military officials of Zhenbei State had been ordered to gather here. Everyone looked at each other, their eyes involuntarily glancing at the strange object placed on the table in the center of the hall. A black wooden box with two brass trumpets attached to it and a hand cranked handle on the side. A thick black line stretched from behind the box, through the window, and connected to a row of tall, new wooden poles on the street outside. “Sir Song, the king summoned us just to see this wooden lump?” Sun Mingde was a rough man and couldn’t keep things to himself. He scratched his head and leaned close to Song Qinghe and asked in a low voice. Song Qinghe twirled his beard, his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with inquiry and confusion. “Your Majesty’s actions are always unpredictable. We will just wait and see what happens. Didn’t you see that Lord Zhang’s eyes are almost glued to this thing?” Everyone followed his gaze and saw Zhang Fuan, the Minister of Works, standing next to the wooden box with an obsessed and fanatical look on his face. He carefully wiped the paint surface with his sleeves. His expression was more pious than when he was serving his own father. This made everyone even more curious. At this moment, a crisp and sharp metallic sound exploded in the hall without any warning! “Ring, ring, ring—!” The sound was sharp, loud, and extremely penetrating, as if someone was stabbing everyone’s eardrums with an awl. “What’s that sound!” Sun Mingde drew out his sword and looked around with vigilance. Wang Jian and other generals also immediately entered a state of alert, and the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became tense. “Oh my God!” The civil servants were so frightened that their faces turned pale and they retreated one after another. Li Dequan was so frightened that he staggered and almost fell. Only Zhang Fuan, far from being afraid, was trembling with excitement. He pointed at the wooden box that was making crazy noises, and his voice changed its tone: “It’s ringing! It’s ringing! The king has begun to cast a spell!” Everyone’s eyes were focused on the wooden box that made the strange noise. It’s ringing! “Sir Song, hurry up! The king said that when the bell rings, pick up the thing called a ‘receiver’!” Zhang Fuan was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, and urged Song Qinghe. Song Qinghe looked at the brass trumpet and felt a chill in his heart. This thing made such a creepy sound, who knew if he picked it up, his soul would be sucked away. But he couldn’t disobey the king’s order, so he gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, stretched out his hand tremblingly, carefully picked up the brass trumpet connected to the wire, and put it close to his ear, imitating what Lin Xiao had taught him before. The ringing stopped abruptly. The hall instantly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath and stared at Song Qinghe intently. At this moment, a clear, steady voice with a hint of laughter came out from the brass trumpet in Song Qinghe’s hand without warning and poured directly into his ears. “Hello? Is this Song Qinghe? Can you hear me?” It’s the king’s voice! “boom!” Song Qinghe’s brain seemed to be struck by a bolt of lightning, and everything went blank in an instant! His whole body trembled violently, his pupils suddenly shrank to the size of a needle tip, the blood drained from his face, and the “receiver” in his hand fell to the ground with a “click” like a red hot iron. “Ah!” He screamed, stepped back repeatedly, and fell to the ground. He pointed at the receiver on the ground, his lips trembling, but he couldn’t utter a word. His expression was as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight. “Master Song! What’s wrong?” “Master Song, what did you hear?” Everyone was shocked and gathered around. “Your Majesty…” Song Qinghe finally managed to squeeze out two words. He pointed at the receiver on the ground, then pointed in the direction of the palace, his face full of the shock and enthusiasm of witnessing a miracle. “It’s the King’s voice! The King is talking to me!” What?! The whole hall exploded instantly! “Nonsense! The king is clearly in the palace, several miles away. How could he talk to you!” Sun Mingde was the first one who didn’t believe it. He thought Song Qinghe was scared crazy by the strange sound. “Could it be… this is the legendary technique of ‘transmitting sound over a thousand miles’?” Li Dequan thought of Zhang Fuan’s previous words, and his turbid old eyes were filled with shock. Sun Mingde was the most impatient. He pushed everyone aside, strode forward, bent down to pick up the receiver from the ground, and imitated Song Qinghe, pressing it roughly to his ear. Then he shouted at the top of his voice into another loudspeaker: “Your Majesty? Is that you? I am Sun Mingde!” In the study, Lin Xiao listened to the huge roar coming from the receiver. He reluctantly held the receiver further away and replied with a smile: “Mingde, please keep your voice down. I can hear you.” “Good heavens!” The expression on Sun Mingde’s face froze instantly. In just a short moment, his rough face, which was full of “I don’t believe it”, experienced shock, dullness, confusion, fear, and finally turned into indescribable fanaticism and admiration. “thump!” The most powerful general of Zhenbei State, who had killed countless people on the battlefield and was fearless of death, suddenly felt his legs go weak and he knelt down straight. He held the receiver high in both hands, as if holding an oracle, and kowtowed heavily in the direction of the palace, his voice trembling. “God… a miracle! It’s a miracle! The king is a god from heaven!” This time, no one doubted it anymore. Even Sun Mingde knelt down, this must be true! “Let me listen!” “Let me hear it!” Wang Jian, Li Dequan and others could no longer hold back and rushed forward like crazy, scrambling for the small receiver as if they were snatching the key to the divine realm. “Your Majesty! I am your old minister Li Dequan! Can you really hear me?” Li Dequan grabbed the receiver and burst into tears with excitement. “Uncle Dequan, I hear you. Thank you for your hard work.” “Your Majesty! I am Wang Jian!” “Wang Jian, I still need your attention on the military affairs of the northern border.” Everyone who picked up the receiver felt like they were struck by lightning the moment they heard Lin Xiao’s voice, and then they trembled and surrendered from the depths of their souls. This is not the means of ordinary people! This is a magic spell that only gods have! Their king can not only create cannons with infinite power and produce steel like flowing water, but now he has even created the legendary “superb hearing” and “thousand mile sound transmission” techniques! What kind of power is this? What kind of terrifying existence is this? Song Qinghe got up from the ground, straightened his clothes, and looked extremely solemn. He walked to the telephone that was revered as a sacred object by everyone, lifted up his official robe, knelt down solemnly, and performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the telephone. He wasn’t worshipping a wooden box; he was worshipping the king who had created this miracle! He was worshipping the godlike monarch of the Northern Kingdom! “Your Majesty, your subjects, greet us! Your Majesty’s divine power will benefit all people and unite the world for eternity!” As Song Qinghe knelt down, everyone in the hall reacted. Sun Mingde, Li Dequan, Wang Jian… no matter whether they were civil officials or military generals, all of them knelt on the ground in unison, and kowtowed over and over again to the small telephone and in the direction of the palace. The sound was like a tsunami, almost blowing the roof of the government hall off. There was no longer a trace of doubt on their faces, only the most devout fanaticism and the most complete submission. From today on, Lin Xiao is no longer just a king in their hearts, but the only true God walking on earth! Chapter 405: Sharing with the People Everything that happened in the government hall spread throughout the entire capital like a gust of wind in just half a day. The first person to spread the news was the guard at the door. Although they did not go in, they could clearly hear the roars of “miracle” and “God descending to earth” and the final thunderous kowtows. After a guard changed shifts, he didn’t even go home. Instead, he rushed into the tavern he often visited and slammed the scabbard on the table. “Boss, bring me the best wine and the fattest meat!” The drinkers around him all knew him, and seeing his flushed face and excited expression, they couldn’t help but come over curiously. “Brother Wang, what kind of windfall did you make today? Look how happy you are.” The guard took a big gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, lowered his voice, but his face showed an unconcealable show of pride and awe. “Wealth? What kind of wealth can compare to what happened today!” He said mysteriously, “You didn’t see it. Just now, in the government hall, the king appeared!” “Manifestation of God?” Everyone was stunned. “The king was in the palace, but his voice could be heard in the government hall several miles away! Lord Song, General Sun, and the others all heard it! It was as if the king was standing right next to them and speaking!” The tavern instantly became quiet, and everyone’s eyes widened, as if they had heard some fairy tale. “This… this is impossible? Talking across miles, isn’t that something only gods can do?” a timid scholar asked tremblingly. “Bullshit gods!” the guard slammed the table and roared, “That’s our king! He’s a god walking on earth! I saw with my own eyes, a man of steel like General Sun kneeled down on the spot! He kowtowed with a thud! The officials in the entire government hall all knelt down, shouting, ‘May your majesty rule the world!'” “boom!” At this moment, the tavern was in an uproar. “Oh my God! Is this true?” “General Sun has already knelt, how could it be fake?!” “Your Majesty is not only the God of War, but also a true God!” For a time, the entire Zhenbei nation was in an uproar, and the people’s admiration for Lin Xiao leaped from respect and love for a wise monarch to fanatical belief in God. Walking on the street, you can even see many people spontaneously burning incense and kowtowing towards the palace, praying for the king’s blessings. Just as this wave of fanaticism swept across the city, Lin Xiao issued another order that was enough to drive everyone crazy. “Order the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Civil Affairs to set up ‘public telephone booths’ on the main streets, in the marketplace, and outside government offices in the capital. Once the lines are laid, all citizens of our Northern Kingdom will be able to use them according to the regulations.” When this royal decree was posted through a notice, the people of the entire capital were stunned. They gathered in front of the bulletin board, reading word by word. Those who could read read aloud to the people next to them, but after listening, everyone fell into a daze. “Public…public telephone booth? What do you mean?” “You mean, the king wants to give us that magical object to use as well?” “This… How is this possible! That’s a miracle! It’s the king’s magic! How can mortals like us be worthy of touching it?” In the crowd, an old farmer was shaking with excitement. He couldn’t believe his ears and pulled a man who looked like an official next to him to confirm repeatedly. “Sir, is what’s written here true? I… I can also use that ‘phone’ to talk to my son who’s a soldier in Anbei County?” The official also looked proud. He straightened his chest and said loudly, “The king has issued an order himself, so how could it be false? The king said that this item is the principle of studying things, not a magical technique. The king is kind and willing to use this item to benefit the people! As long as the line is laid, everyone will have a chance!” After the silence, there was cheering that reached the sky! “Long live the king! Long live the king!” “Oh my god! I can actually use something divine in my life!” “Wow, wow, wow… Your Majesty is truly our people’s adopted parent!” Countless people cried with joy. They knelt on the ground facing the palace and kowtowed heavily. At this moment, Lin Xiao’s status in their hearts was once again infinitely elevated. If before it was reverence and worship, now it was the purest, most fanatical faith. Sharing a sacred object with all the people—what a boldness and generosity! This was the true destiny! Capital city, imperial palace. Li Yan’s face was as gloomy as he sat on the dragon throne, his fingers unconsciously stroking the exquisite dragon head carvings on the armrests. Your Highness, Prime Minister Zhou Mubai has just finished reading the urgent secret report from the north. The entire court is silent and you can hear a pin drop. All the ministers lowered their heads, not daring to even breathe, but their slightly trembling shoulders and rapid breathing revealed the turmoil in their hearts. Transmitting sound over thousands of miles? These four words, like four huge mountains, weigh heavily on everyone’s heart. “absurd!” Li Yan finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He slammed the dragon throne hard, making a loud noise and breaking the silence. “This is absolutely ridiculous! Transmitting sound over a thousand miles? How could a peasant like him create such a thing!” His handsome face was slightly distorted with anger. He cursed fiercely, but his hands, which were tightly gripping the armrests of the dragon throne with white knuckles, revealed his inner unrest. As a carpenter, he understood the difficulty of creation better than anyone else. He could carve a piece of rotten wood into a lifelike work of art, but Lin Xiao could create miracles! This gap made him feel unprecedented jealousy and panic. Zhou Mubai bowed, his old voice carrying a hint of fatigue and solemnity. “Your Majesty, the secret report was sent back by our spies lurking in the capital of Zhenbei Kingdom, so it should be true. According to reports, Lin Xiao has set up a ‘public telephone booth’ in the royal capital and allowed his people to use it…” “What?!” Li Yan stood up suddenly and cried out in shock, “He dares to let those peasants use it?” Zhou Mubai sighed deeply. “Your Majesty, that’s not what I’m worried about. If this device can truly transmit sound over a thousand miles, then the transmission of military orders and government affairs within Zhenbei Kingdom will be as fast as lightning. Their military deployment and response speed will far surpass that of our Great Zhou by a hundred times. Even more terrifying is that the telephone lines scattered across the land will be like nerves extending to every corner of Zhenbei Kingdom. Lin Xiao, sitting in the capital, will be aware of any movement thousands of miles away. In this way, his control over the territory under his rule will reach an unprecedented and terrifying level.” He paused, a deep sense of powerlessness in his voice. “Your Majesty, with this situation weakening, our Great Zhou… no longer has any advantage. Lin Xiao’s momentum is like a raging fire, and I’m afraid… I’m afraid it’s beyond human control.” Zhou Mubai’s words were like a basin of cold water poured on Li Yan’s head. The anger on his face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of confusion and fear. He stumbled back to the dragon throne, staring blankly at the dome of the hall. There was dead silence in the court. Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan sat quietly by the window, holding a book in her hands, but her eyes drifted out the window, wondering what she was thinking. The personal maid Qiuyue walked in quietly, with a complex expression on her face that was a mixture of shock, curiosity and excitement. “My Lady.” “Why are you so panicked?” Liu Weilan withdrew his thoughts and asked lightly. Qiuyue swallowed her saliva, trying to calm herself down, and whispered, “Your Majesty, it’s spread all over the palace… It’s said that King Lin Xiao of the Northern Territory has created a magical object that can… can transmit sound over thousands of miles!” Liu Weilan’s fingers gripping the scroll suddenly tightened. “A thousand mile sound transmission?” For the first time, an expression of disbelief appeared in her cold phoenix eyes. “Yes, I heard from the eunuch that the Prime Minister reported this personally during the court last week. He said that thing is called a ‘telephone’ and that it can be used to talk to people thousands of miles away, as if they were standing right in front of you!” Qiuyue became increasingly excited as she spoke. “He also said that Lin Xiao has ordered the construction of many pavilions in his capital so that ordinary people can use it!” Liu Weilan was stunned. Lin Xiao’s calm and confident face instantly appeared in her mind. That man always does things that are beyond everyone’s imagination. A powerful army, solid cement, rich territory… Now, even the legendary magical methods have become a reality. She looked at the northern sky, feeling mixed emotions. She was deeply shocked by Lin Xiao’s unpredictable methods, but also had a secret expectation that she herself had not even noticed. Chapter 406: God’s Means Time passed quickly, and several months passed. On the lawn in the backyard, several children were chasing and playing. Lin Rui and Zhang Chengyu ran very fast, imitating the guards, holding wooden swords and “charging” each other, shouting “Ha! Ha!” The two little girls, Lin Xin and Lin Youning, were much quieter. They were squatting beside Yan Ruoxi, watching her weave a wreath with wild flowers. Lin Nian had grown considerably, babbling as he chased butterflies. Nini’s son, Lin Dingbei, was the toughest, already crawling around on the ground, eager to stuff anything he caught into his mouth. Lin Xiao lay leisurely on the chair, looking at the group of children with smiles in his eyes. These children, these women, and this land are all he wants to protect. At this moment, a guard came quickly and bowed to report, “Your Majesty, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Works has sent someone to report that the first batch of public telephone booths in the royal capital have been installed and debugged.” Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up instantly. He suddenly sat up from the recliner and laughed, “Let’s go and take a look!” At the same time, at the intersection of Dongshi Street in Jiaoshi County, a brand new wooden pavilion was already surrounded by crowds of people. Inside the pavilion was a black wooden box, and a black wire connected from the top of the pavilion to a tall electric pole on the street. Wang Tiezhu pulled his son Wang Gousheng and stood on tiptoe to peek inside. “Dad, do you think this thing can really be like a god, allowing people to talk to each other even if they are several miles away?” Wang Gousheng’s face was full of curiosity and excitement. “Don’t talk nonsense!” Wang Tiezhu covered his son’s mouth. “This is a divine object created by the king. How can you gossip about it like this?” As soon as he finished speaking, the voice of the operator in the phone booth rang out. “Who wants to try next?” Everyone looked at each other, curious and in awe, and for a moment no one dared to step forward. “I’ll do it!” Wang Gousheng was young and brave, and he squeezed into the crowd. “You silly kid!” Wang Tiezhu tried to pull him back but failed. “Who do you want to call? Where is he?” the professionally trained operator asked with a smile. “I… I called my cousin. He’s at the cloth shop in Xishi!” Wang Gousheng gave the address. The female operator nodded, picked up a wire, skillfully inserted it into a small hole in the switch, and then shook the handle of the phone. After a moment, she handed Wang Gousheng a brass receiver and said, “Okay, talk into this.” Wang Gousheng followed suit, half believing and half doubting, he put the receiver to his ear and called out tentatively, “Hello? Uncle? It’s Gousheng!” The next second, a familiar yet noisy voice came from the receiver, clearly entering his ears. “Gousheng? Where are you?” “Oh my god!” Wang Gousheng shuddered all over and nearly dropped the receiver in his hand. His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief. “Dad! It’s my uncle! It’s really my uncle’s voice!” He turned his head and shouted frantically at Wang Tiezhu outside. Wang Tiezhu froze, staring blankly at the wooden pavilion as if he were looking at a temple. The crowd was completely blown away. “You can really talk! Even though we’re halfway across the city!” “The gods have descended to earth! Your Majesty is a god descended to earth!” Elsewhere, Zhao Mancang was holding his granddaughter Xiaoqiuqiu, tears streaming down his face. “Did you see that, Qiuqiu? This is our king! He’s a living god! He allows us to talk to people in the sky!” Little Qiuqiu was also excited and clapped his hands, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” In the military camp, Zhao Wu, who was on leave, walked into the military telephone room surrounded by his comrades. When he heard the timid “brother” from his sister Zhao Xiaocao, who was far away in Jingmen County, through the receiver with trembling hands, he could no longer hold back and burst into tears on the spot. What the king gave him was the voice of his loved ones that he could hear at that moment. This scene was played out in various places in Zhenbei Country. From the royal capital to the counties, from the markets to the towns, when the first ordinary citizen heard the voice of distant relatives and friends through the phone, the shock and the impact that subverted cognition instantly turned into the most primitive and fanatical worship. “thump!” I don’t know who was the first to kneel down. Immediately afterwards, on the streets of East Market, the square of West Market, and the official roads running north and south, hundreds and thousands of people spontaneously knelt down in the direction of the palace and the places where the electric poles were standing. They kowtowed, they cried, and they offered their most devout faith to the man who created the miracle. “Long live the king! The king is a god from heaven!” The roar of the mountains and the sea gathered into a torrent, echoing in the sky above Zhenbei Kingdom for a long time. The royal palace, a side hall. Agula was also brought to the phone, and Tuya was teaching her how to use it with excitement on her face. “Can this thing really talk to people thousands of miles away?” Agula’s face was full of disbelief. But under Tuya’s insistence, she picked up the receiver half believingly. When a strange woman’s voice came from the other end, Agula’s pupils shrank suddenly. She subconsciously looked outside the hall. Apart from the guards, there was no one there. Shocking! Unprecedented shock! Lin Xiao, how many tricks does he have that she can’t understand? He seems to be constantly subverting her cognition. She put down the phone, her heart in turmoil. Just then, a dashing figure in tight clothes and a high ponytail walked in. It’s Nini. Agula raised her eyes, her sharp gaze sweeping over Nini. As a fellow martial artist, she could sense that this seemingly young girl possessed a formidable strength. The children of the grasslands admired the strong. But her inherent pride made her look down on these Central Plains women. “Are you Lin Xiao’s woman?” Agula’s tone was a little provocative. “You don’t look like a delicate flower who only stays in the backyard. Do you have any tricks?” Nini smiled, neither humble nor arrogant: “The king taught me some self defense techniques.” “A self defense move?” Agula scoffed, standing up, radiating the fierce bravery of a grasslands female warrior. “Do you dare to challenge me? Let me see if you Central Plains women’s moves are up to par.” She wanted to regain some confidence and prove that she, the pearl of the grassland, could defeat Lin Xiao’s woman, at least in terms of strength. Nini glanced at Tuya, and seeing her nod, she walked towards the open space outside the hall. “please.” Agula snorted coldly, exerted force on his feet, and pounced forward like a cheetah, slashing Nini’s neck with a knife, quickly and fiercely! She wants to defeat the enemy with one move! However, Nini dodged it easily by simply leaning sideways. At the same time, her elbow struck Agula’s ribs at an extremely tricky angle like lightning. Agula was shocked and quickly withdrew his attack to block. “Bang!” When the two arms crossed, a huge force came. Agula felt his arms go numb and was shocked to take three steps back! She looked at Nini in shock. How could it be possible? The other party’s strength was actually greater than hers! Before she could react, Nini had already charged forward. No fancy moves, just the military fighting techniques Lin Xiao had taught her. Each one was simple, direct, and highly effective, each one targeting the most vulnerable joints and vital points of the human body. Agula had brute force, but in the face of this exquisite killing skill, he was restricted everywhere and was beaten back step by step, in a miserable state. Finally, Nini threw her over the shoulder with a neat throw, knocking her to the ground, with her cold palm pressed against her throat. The winner has been decided. Agula lay on the cold stone slab, staring blankly at the sky. Defeated. She actually lost to an unknown woman from the Central Plains. And they were defeated so thoroughly that they had no power to fight back. “Did Lin Xiao teach you all these?” she asked in a dry voice. “Yes.” Nini took back her hand and pulled her up. Agula’s heart sank completely. She had always believed that Lin Xiao’s strength lay in his mysterious weapons. But today she realized how wrong she was. This man could not only create divine objects, he himself was a god who could transform ordinary people into powerful beings! A woman he taught could easily defeat him, the most courageous warrior on the grassland. Then how terrifying is he? Chapter 407 Iron Dragon The days are as leisurely as ever. In the afternoon, the sun is shining brightly. Lin Xiao lay in the rocking chair in the yard, looking at the children not far away. Lin Rui and Zhang Chengyu, two young men, were practicing with wooden swords in a very serious manner, shouting and imitating the postures of bodyguards. Yan Ruoxi and Pei Xueyi sat on the grass, teaching Lin Xin and Lin Youning how to make garlands, and burst into laughter from time to time. Lin Dingbei was the most ferocious, rolling around on the grass and giggling. Tuya sat quietly by the side, watching this harmonious and peaceful scene, her eyes full of tenderness. In the corridor not far away, Agula was also watching this scene with a complicated expression. She lost to Nini, and she accepted the defeat wholeheartedly. These days, she witnessed with her own eyes the heartfelt support and prosperity of the people under Lin Xiao’s rule. The bravery of the grasslands that she had once been so proud of seemed insignificant here. The hegemony that her father Khan pursued seemed so pale and ridiculous in the face of the life that Lin Xiao had created. The faith in her heart was cracking little by little. Lin Xiao looked at the beautiful women and lively children in the courtyard, and his heart was filled with satisfaction. Kingdom, beauty, and offspring, this was probably what he wanted. Just then, a guard walked in hurriedly. “Your Majesty, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Works requests an audience.” As soon as he finished speaking, before Lin Xiao could say anything, a figure rushed in anxiously. It was Zhang Fuan. He still looked unkempt, with a few streaks of black oil on his face and his craftsman’s robe full of wrinkles, but his eyes were frighteningly bright, as if they were burning with two flames. “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan’s voice trembled with excitement. He ran to Lin Xiao, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed three times. “It’s done! Your Majesty! It’s done!” He raised his head, his face filled with ecstasy, and shouted incoherently: “That big guy… that iron bull that can run by itself… it really started running!” Lin Xiao suddenly sat up straight in the rocking chair, a gleam in his eyes. Steam locomotive! He has been waiting for this day for a long time. “Let’s go! Let’s take a look!” Lin Xiao laughed, stood up and walked out. The steam engine factory outside the royal capital was already crowded with people. Outside the huge factory building, there were many craftsmen and students from the New Science School who came to observe. They were stopped outside by the guards. They stretched their necks, their faces full of excitement and curiosity. Inside the factory, the activity was bustling. A gust of hot air mixed with the smell of coal and engine oil hit me in the face. In the center of the factory, on a temporarily laid 100 meter long railway track, lay a steel behemoth that had never been seen before. It is pitch black, made up of countless precision steel parts and riveted pipes. The huge boiler is like the chest of a ferocious beast, and the towering chimney points straight to the sky. On both sides of the front of the car, the huge connecting rods and wheels shine with a cold metallic luster, full of power. At this moment, the flame under the boiler was burning fiercely, thick smoke was billowing out of the chimney, and a safety valve was “hissing” out white steam from time to time, making a heart pounding sound. It is like a dozing wild beast that may wake up at any time and let out an earth shaking roar. Lu Jin and a group of young technicians were conducting the final inspection of this steel behemoth. Everyone’s face was filled with irrepressible excitement and pride. Seeing Lin Xiao coming, Lu Jin hurriedly came forward and saluted excitedly: “Your Majesty! You are here!” “Well done.” Lin Xiao’s eyes fell on the locomotive and he nodded approvingly. Lu Jin’s face flushed crimson instantly. He pointed at the locomotive and introduced it in a trembling voice, “Your Majesty, this is the first ‘Pioneer’ steam locomotive we built according to the drawings you gave us! The boiler pressure has reached the standard, and the piston and connecting rod system is functioning normally. It has enough power to pull hundreds of carriages!” “Let it move, let me see.” Lin Xiao said. “yes!” At Lu Jin’s command, the most experienced driver climbed into the cab. As a long whistle sounded through the sky, everyone present felt their hearts in their throats. “Bang!” There was a loud bang, and the huge wheels turned for the first time on the rails. Then, “clang, clang, clang…” The steel behemoth moves! It spewed thick white smoke, driving the huge connecting rod, moving forward heavily and firmly on the rails. The earth trembled slightly beneath it, and the unmatched strength of steel shocked everyone present. The surrounding craftsmen and students burst into thunderous cheers! “It’s moving! It’s really moving!” “Oh my god! Such a big lump of iron can actually run on its own without the need for oxen or horses!” “Miracle! This is another miracle brought by the king!” Zhang Fuan was so excited that tears were about to fall from his eyes. He looked at the slowly moving locomotive and seemed to see a brand new future for Zhenbei Country. Lin Xiao walked forward and stroked the still warm steel shell of the locomotive with his palm, feeling equally proud. He turned around, looked at Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin, who were both fanatical, and said in a deep voice: “Fuan, Lu Jin, you are the heroes of Zhenbei Kingdom.” The two of them trembled, extremely excited. “With it,” Lin Xiao pointed at the steel behemoth, “our food, minerals, troops, and goods will be able to travel thousands of miles a day! Snowstorms in the north and droughts in the south will no longer be a barrier. From now on, the borders of our Zhenbei Kingdom will no longer be far away!” His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone, deafening. “Remember, what you are building is not a cold lump of iron!” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over all the technicians and craftsmen present, his eyes as sharp as a knife. “What you are building is the bones and muscles of Zhenbei Country, and the hope of the people of the world!” “boom!” Everyone’s blood was completely ignited at this moment. Lu Jin and Zhang Fuan exchanged a glance, knelt down together, and roared with all their might, “We swear to serve the king until death! We will serve the Zhenbei Kingdom!” “I swear to serve the king till death!” All the craftsmen and trainees inside and outside the factory knelt down. Chapter 408 Laying the Railway Lin Xiao stood in front of the car, his heart equally filled with excitement. The phone solved the problem of information transmission speed, and this thing would completely solve the problem of distance in the physical world. He turned around and glanced at Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin, whose faces were flushed with excitement, as well as Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Wang Jian and others who had rushed over after hearing the news. “Everyone.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it instantly quieted the noisy scene. He pointed at the locomotive behind him and said in a sonorous voice, “Today, the Pioneer has only taken its first step. But what I want is every step it takes across the vast territory of Zhenbei Nation!” Everyone’s heart trembled, and they all bowed, waiting for Wang Ling. “Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin, listen up!” “I’m here!” The two men took a step forward with solemn expressions. “You two will lead the railway construction. The Ministry of Industry will be solely responsible for technical research and mass production of locomotives and rails. I want you to give it your all!” “Yes, sir!” Zhang Fuan was shaking with excitement. This was a groundbreaking project, and it was worth his entire life. “Song Qinghe!” “I’m here.” Song Qinghe stepped forward. “Money, food, supplies, and manpower are all allocated by the State Council. I have only one request: provide the money and manpower you need. Never let the project stall for a single moment!” “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I will never delay even if I have to sell everything I have!” Song Qinghe replied firmly. “Li Dequan!” “I’m here, old minister.” Li Dequan stood up. “You are responsible for expropriating land and resettling people along the line. Be fair and just so the people are willing to accept the situation. Tell them that wherever the railway goes, good things will follow!” “Your Majesty is kind and benevolent, and I understand!” Li Dequan nodded heavily. “Wang Jian!” “I am here!” Wang Jian’s voice was like a loud bell. “Distribute a division of troops to provide full time security along the way. Ensure public order and project safety. If any bandits dare to cause trouble, they will be killed on the spot. No permission is needed!” “I obey your command!” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over everyone. “I hereby issue this royal decree. Immediately commence the Zhenbei No. 1 railway project! The first main line will run directly from the capital to Beiping County! All counties along the route must fully cooperate!” “I will use a backbone of steel to completely connect the heart and borders of my Zhenbei Kingdom!” “As the king commands!” All the core members present roared in unison, and a surge of heroic spirit surged through the factory. An unprecedented era officially began with the roar of steam and the collision of steel. As soon as Wang Ling gave the order, the entire Zhenbei Kingdom began to run at high speed as if it were a precision machine that had been started. Countless notices were posted on the streets and alleys of counties and prefectures, describing in the most easy to understand vernacular a magical creation called “train” and the tremendous changes it would bring to people’s lives. For a time, the entire Zhenbei Kingdom was talking about it. On the outskirts of the royal capital, on a piece of land that was being leveled, a group of farmers were resting by the ridges of the fields. “Old Zhang, have you heard? The king wants to build a railway. He says that an iron thing can run on it and travel a thousand miles a day.” A man gnawed on dry food, his face full of disbelief. The farmer, known as Old Zhang, took a puff of his pipe and squinted his eyes as he said, “I heard it’s on the notice. It’s called a ‘train’ or something. They say it can pull hundreds of wagons of freight and has more power than thousands of oxen.” “Boasting?” another young man sneered. “I heard from my cousin who works at the Ministry of Industry that that piece of iron is huge and black, and it runs away by burning coal. Burning coal? We burn coal for our kang at home, too, so why hasn’t it pushed our house out of the village?” Everyone burst into laughter. Old Zhang tapped his pipe on the sole of his shoe and said sternly, “What a joke! Before the invention of the telephone, if you said you could talk to people in the capital, wouldn’t they think you were crazy? The king is a god descended from heaven. If he says he can run, then he can definitely run!” As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent. Yes, haven’t the king created enough miracles? Running water, electric lights, telephones… which one of them wasn’t something they couldn’t even imagine in the past? Although they have doubts, the people of Zhenbei Kingdom have almost blind trust and execution of the king’s orders. Thousands of workers were mobilized and, under the leadership of technicians from the Ministry of Industry, began the vigorous railway construction. Exploration, surveying, laying roadbeds, building bridges… the prototype of a giant steel dragon began to extend forward inch by inch on the land of Zhenbei Kingdom. Countless people stood in the distance and watched curiously, looking at the straight rails, imagining what the legendary “train” would look like running on them, their eyes filled with awe and anticipation. While the outside world was bustling with activity, the backyard of the palace was peaceful and leisurely. Lin Xiao was half lying in the rocking chair, watching several women playing with their children on the lawn. Tuya was taking two little girls, Lin Xin and Lin Youning, to weave little rabbits out of dogtail grass, which made the two girls giggle. Even the usually quiet Lin Youning became a lot more lively. Just then, two figures walked over slowly. They are sisters Yan Jing and Yan Susu. They changed into grassland clothes, which made them look more graceful. Seeing Lin Xiao looking over, the two sisters blushed slightly, walked to the center of the yard, and bowed to Lin Xiao. “Master.” Before Lin Xiao could speak, Tuya beside him had already explained with a smile: “Your Majesty, these days, Jing’er and Sister Susu have learned a few dances from our grasslands from me, and they said they want to perform them for Your Majesty.” “Oh?” Lin Xiao became interested and sat up straight with a smile, “Then I will definitely enjoy it.” Encouraged, Yan Jing and Yan Susu looked at each other, took a deep breath, and began to dance to the grassland tune sung by Tuya. The dances of the grasslands are distinct from the graceful and gentle dances of the Central Plains women. They carry a passion and unrestrained spirit unique to the grasslands. Their movements are sometimes like the wings of an eagle, expansive and majestic; sometimes like the galloping of a horse, full of power and rhythm. The skirt flutters and the waist sways, the girl’s youthfulness and the passion of grassland dance blend perfectly together, forming a unique charm. Lin Xiao leaned back in the rocking chair, a smile on his lips and admiration in his eyes. After the dance, the two sisters stood there prettily, with fine beads of sweat oozing from their foreheads and flushed cheeks. They looked at Lin Xiao with a hint of nervousness and anticipation. “You dance well.” Lin Xiao clapped his hands with a smile. He stood up, walked up to the two of them, and naturally took them into his arms, one in each hand. “Master…” The two sisters buried their heads in his chest out of shame. “If you want to dance next time, just dance for me alone.” Lin Xiao whispered in their ears. “Hmm.” The person in my arms whispered as softly as a mosquito. Lin Xiao laughed heartily, lifted up the face of the person in his arms, and kissed him… Chapter 409 Opening Ceremony In just a few months, thanks to the terrifying mobilization capabilities of the Zhenbei Kingdom, the backbone of a giant steel dragon has been laid. From the royal capital Qinglin County, all the way north, through several counties and prefectures, it reaches the important town in the north Beiping County. When the news came out, people were excited. Lin Xiao ordered that a grand ceremony be held to open the entire railway line three days later, and he would personally ride the first train departing from the royal capital. On this day, the streets of the royal capital were deserted. From the city center to the train station in the suburbs, the streets along the way were packed with people, with colorful flags waving, gongs and drums beating, and firecrackers blasting one after another, making it even more lively than the Chinese New Year. The common people came in droves, bringing their old and young with them, all wanting to see with their own eyes what the legendary “Iron Ox” that could travel a thousand miles a day looked like. On the platform of the newly built train station, Lin Xiao was dressed in casual clothes and surrounded by women. Yan Ruoxi, Yan Ruotong, Pei Xueyi, Liu Ruyan… each of them was so beautiful that they attracted the attention of the invited gentry and merchants around them. However, they did not dare to look at them for too long and could only lower their heads, feeling both envious and in awe of the good fortune of the King of the North . Tuya and Agula were also brought in. Tuya was wearing a luxurious prairie dress and stood close to Lin Xiao, her face full of pride. Agula was still wearing a tight suit, standing aside with his arms folded, looking at the steel giant lying quietly on the railroad tracks, his eyes extremely complicated. The black steel structure was much larger than any siege engine she had ever seen. Its cold body reflected a sinister luster in the sunlight, and its towering chimney was like the horns of a giant beast, full of oppression. “Husband, do we really have to ride on this big thing? Can it… can it really run?” Yan Ruoxi pulled Lin Xiao’s sleeve, her beautiful eyes full of curiosity and a hint of nervousness. “Don’t worry.” Lin Xiao smiled and pinched her cheek, “Not only can she run, she can run faster than the fastest horse.” With a long whistle, Lin Xiao boarded the train with the women and invited guests. On the other side, core members such as Song Qinghe and Li Dequan, as well as some specially invited big businessmen and gentry, also boarded the rear carriage with excitement and nervousness. The interior of the carriage is spacious and bright, with soft sofas, smooth wooden floors, and huge glass windows. Everything is novel. “Woo——!” A loud and long whistle suddenly pierced the sky and echoed through the clouds. The square suddenly became quiet, and everyone’s heart was in their throat. “Bang!” The carriage shook violently, and then, with a rhythmic “clang, clang” sound, the huge steel wheels began to turn slowly. The crowd erupted in earth shaking cheers! “It’s moving! It’s moving!” “Oh my god! There’s really no need for oxen or horses, it just runs on its own!” The train left the platform, speeding up. The women in the carriage were just curious at first, but soon their expressions changed from curiosity to surprise. “Ah!” Yan Ruoxi pressed her entire body against the car window, pointing at the rapidly receding fields and trees outside, and yelled incoherently, “Husband, look! It’s so fast!” “It’s much faster than riding a horse! No, it’s faster than a black panther running!” Nini’s face flushed with excitement. The two boys, Lin Rui and Zhang Chengyu, were so excited that they ran back and forth in the spacious carriage, imitating the sound of a train, making “wooooo” sounds. Even Yan Ruotong and Pei Xueyi, who were usually calm, didn’t care about their manners at this moment. They stared out the window with their beautiful eyes wide open, their faces full of disbelief. The scenery outside the window is no longer receding, but flying away! That kind of strong visual impact is something that people of this era have never experienced. Tuya was dazzled. She turned back to look at Lin Xiao, who sat as steady as a mountain, the adoration in her eyes almost tangible. Her master was the god who could perform such a miracle. Agula, on the other hand, held on to the window frame tightly, his knuckles turning white from the exertion. She stared blankly at the fields and hills flashing by outside the window, and at the carriages and pedestrians rapidly shrinking in her sight, and her heart sank to the bottom. quick! Too fast! Even the best rider on the grassland, who is one with his horse and travels day and night, could never reach such a terrifying speed. This thing doesn’t even need to rest, as long as there is enough black stone (coal) and water, it can keep running. what does that mean? This means that Lin Xiao’s army, food, and supplies can ignore distance restrictions and be delivered from the heart of the kingdom to any corner of the border in a very short time. The so called thousand mile raid and the so called scorching of walls and clearing of fields became a joke in front of this steel behemoth. She suddenly understood why Lin Xiao dared to let his father Khan linger on the grassland. Because, as long as he wanted, he could descend on any corner of the grassland with the power to crush everything. At this moment, the last bit of pride in Agula, the pearl of the grassland, the last bit of unwillingness and hatred, were completely shattered along with the roar of the wheels, leaving an unbridgeable gap. The look she gave Lin Xiao was no longer filled with pure hatred and indomitable will, but with a hint of awe and fear that she herself could not describe. Inside the carriage, Lin Xiao was enjoying the admiration and admiration of the girls and was in a good mood. He leaned comfortably on the soft sofa, holding Yan Rutong in one hand and holding a teacup in the other, looking at the scenery outside the window comfortably. This land is being completely changed in his hands. At this moment, he felt a warmth beside his legs and a warm body pressed against him. It’s Tuya. She squatted down at some point, tilted her pretty face full of exotic charm, and looked at Lin Xiao with admiration in her big watery eyes. Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows, but before he could say anything, he felt a warm little hand gently holding him under the tablecloth. His body stiffened slightly. Seeing that Lin Xiao did not refuse, Tuya became bolder. She shyly looked at the girls around her who were pretending to look at the scenery, then slowly lowered her head and hid under the large tablecloth. “hiss……” Lin Xiao took a deep breath and felt a warm current rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He almost dropped the teacup in his hand. This grassland fairy is getting more and more playful. He glanced around. Yan Ruoxi’s face had turned red to her ears, and she pretended to concentrate on counting the telephone poles outside the window; Liu Ruyan turned her head away, but her slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed her inner unrest. Lin Xiao smiled secretly in his heart, enjoying this unique stimulation. [Ding! Tuya’s favorability increased by 10, and the current favorability is 21.] 【Get a chance to win a prize! 】 【Do you want to draw the lottery now? 】 In my mind, the long lost system prompt sound suddenly rang. Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up instantly. Here we come! Chapter 410 Public Opinion is King Lin Xiao muttered to himself. “lottery!” [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Complete set of public opinion and news knowledge (from primitive to modern times)!] [Includes: the creation and operation of newspapers, periodicals, radio and other media, propaganda theory, public opinion guidance, public relations, crisis public relations and other complete knowledge systems.] A huge stream of information instantly flooded into my mind. Lin Xiao’s body shook violently, and his eyes burst into unprecedented brilliance. Under the tablecloth, Tuya’s movements paused slightly. Feeling Lin Xiao’s body stiffen instantly, she raised her blurry eyes, a little confused. Lin Xiao had no time to care. There is only ecstasy in my mind! Irresistible ecstasy! If artillery and firearms are the weapons for destroying cities and strongholds and are the foundation of a country; railways are the skeleton for opening up the country’s blood vessels and controlling the territory; then this knowledge of public opinion and news is the magic that truly controls people’s hearts! It is a weapon of kingly way that can decide who will rule the world without bloodshed! The army can only conquer people’s bodies, but public opinion can conquer people’s minds! Since ancient times, whoever wins the hearts of the people will win the world, but what is “the hearts of the people”? In the past, it was spread by word of mouth and by people running around, which was slow and uncontrollable. But now, with newspapers and propaganda, public opinion will become a torrent that can be shaped and guided! He could publish a Zhenbei Daily, spreading the kingdom’s every policy and every victory to every corner in the shortest possible time. He could let farmers in even the most remote villages know about the king’s benevolence and the kingdom’s strength. He could even sell newspapers to Da Zhou and the capital! Let the people of the capital see how prosperous the people of Zhenbei live and how powerful the Zhenbei army is! Then compare them with their emperor who only knows how to do carpentry and their corrupt court. Isn’t it clear at a glance what the people’s support is? By then, if Lin Xiao takes over, it will be in accordance with the will of heaven and the people, and the whole world will be at peace! The smile on Lin Xiao’s lips grew deeper and deeper, and the tenderness under the tablecloth became even more intoxicating at this moment. He reached out and gently patted the head hidden under the table as a sign of encouragement. In another relatively plain carriage, the atmosphere was equally warm, but filled with another form of shock. “Oh my God…” Zhao Mancang pressed his old face against the cold glass window, his cloudy old eyes filled with tears. “This… this iron thing runs faster than the birds in the sky! I’m over fifty years old, and I never dared to dream that there would be such a magical thing!” He recalled the days of his escape, the despair of moving step by step on the muddy roads. Back then, traveling from one county to another seemed to take a lifetime. He turned around to look at the equally stunned people in the carriage, his voice trembling: “This is all the good life that the King has brought us! It is the King who has allowed us, the peasants, to ride on this ‘train’ that only gods can ride!” “Fast! Really fast!” Wang Tiezhu’s mouth hung open for a long time as he pointed at a hill outside the window that was rapidly turning into a black dot. “Oh my god! That’s Black Wind Mountain. It takes us half an hour to get there by carriage. This…it just happened in the blink of an eye?” His son, Wang Gousheng, beside him, was so excited that his face flushed. He ran around in the carriage, shouting excitedly, “Dad! Dad, look! The crops in the field have become a straight line! It’s so fast! Hahaha! From now on, wherever we go, it will only take a pack of cigarettes to finish it, right?” The other people in the carriage, whether they were specially invited wealthy businessmen or local gentry, all forgot their identities at this moment and crowded around the windows, their faces full of horror and fanaticism. “A miracle! This is absolutely a miracle!” A portly merchant in silk attire muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “This train travels at a rapid pace. What kind of goods can’t be shipped? Fur and medicinal herbs from the north, silk and tea from the south… Wherever this railway goes, it’s a golden land!” “It’s more than just golden land.” A nearby gentleman with a goatee spoke with awe in his eyes. “Just imagine, if the king wanted to mobilize troops, with this train, a hundred thousand soldiers could be transported from the capital to the border in a single day… What kind of terrifying power is this? In this world, besides the king, who else can hold his own?” As soon as these words were spoken, the entire carriage fell silent. The excitement on everyone’s face faded, replaced by a kind of awe and submission from the depths of their souls. The way they looked towards the front of the car was as if they were looking up to God. “Woo——!” The long and loud whistle sounded from far away. The train slowly slowed down, and in front of them, an equally new and magnificent platform appeared before everyone’s eyes. Outside the platform, there was a real sea of people. The people of Beiping County had surrounded the venue an hour ago. The sea of heads stretched as far as the eye could see, and everyone stretched their necks, looking forward to it. When the giant steel beast with billowing white smoke slowly drove into the platform with a deafening roar, the noise of hundreds of thousands of people on the scene fell into a strange silence at this moment. Everyone was stunned by the huge monster before them. Too big! Longer than a city wall, more powerful than an elephant! The steel on its body gleamed coldly in the sunlight. It panted and spewed out thick white smoke, like a giant beast from ancient mythology. “Bang…hiss—” The train came to a steady stop amidst a violent blast of steam. The car door opened. Surrounded by a group of stunning women, Lin Xiao slowly walked down from the carriage and appeared on the platform. The dead silent crowd, after a brief pause, suddenly erupted into thunderous roars! “It’s the King!” “The King is coming! The King is coming on his divine beast!” “The gods have descended to earth! Your Majesty is a god descended to earth!” I don’t know who was the first to kneel down, but soon after, like waves of wheat blown by the wind, the dark crowd in front of the platform all knelt down on the ground. “Welcome, Your Majesty!” “Long live the king!” Countless people were so excited that they burst into tears and kowtowed to Lin Xiao and the steel giant. Chapter 411 Zhenbei Daily Lin Xiao stood on the platform, facing the kneeling crowd in front of him, and the heartfelt cries of “Long live the king” that merged into thunder, his expression calm. He just raised his hand slightly. “Everyone, get up.” Lin Xiao’s voice reached everyone’s ears clearly, gentle but unquestionable. The crowd finally woke up as if from a dream and stood up one after another, but still did not dare to look up. “Today, I am very happy.” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over the crowd, “Not because I took this train, but because I saw the future of Zhenbei Country.” He pointed at the train behind him, his voice suddenly rising in pitch and force. “You call it the Iron Bull, you call it a divine beast, but I tell you, it’s called the Pioneer! It represents a better future for every one of you!” “With it, our southern grain can be transported to Beiping County within a day, and no one will go hungry anymore! With it, furs and medicinal herbs from the north can be delivered to the capital in two days, and you can sell your goods at a better price! With it, your sons who are working or serving in the army away from home can return home and be reunited with their families within a day during holidays!” Each word struck like a hammer, hammering down upon the hearts of the people. These words, plain and simple, accurately depicted the life they most desired. Uncontrollable sobs began to rise from the crowd. Lin Xiao paused, giving everyone time to digest his thoughts, and then changed the subject, his tone filled with unparalleled confidence and dominance. “This railway is the iron bloodline flowing through our land! Wherever it flows, prosperity and peace follow! It is also a Great Wall of Steel! If any villain dares to invade our land again, our soldiers of the Zhenbei Nation will appear before them before they can gain a foothold and crush them completely!” “This is just the first step!” Lin Xiao opened his arms as if to embrace the entire world. “In the future, I will have this steel behemoth cover every inch of our Zhenbei Kingdom! I will tightly connect all our cities and all our people together, forging them into an indestructible whole!” After a brief silence, there was even crazier, deafening cheers! “Long live the king!” This time, no one could suppress the protesters. The people roared and leaped with all their might, throwing their hats and headscarves into the air. Their excitement and frenzy threatened to overturn the heavens. At night, the Beiping County Magistrate’s Mansion was brightly lit. The hustle and bustle of the day had faded, but the excitement on the faces of all the core members had not yet faded. In the lobby of the County Magistrate’s Mansion, a huge map of the entire Zhenbei Kingdom hung on the wall. Lin Xiao stood in front of the map, holding a red charcoal pencil in his hand. “Today’s success of the Pioneer is just the beginning.” Lin Xiao went straight to the point without any nonsense. Everyone held their breath, they knew that the king had new plans. Lin Xiao used the charcoal pencil in his hand to draw a thick red line on the map. This was the line from Wangdu to Beiping County that was opened to traffic today. “This is the backbone of our Zhenbei Kingdom,” he said. Then, he used the charcoal pencil to draw several crisscrossing lines on the map, like a giant spider web, encompassing all the counties. “But a backbone alone is not enough. We also need flesh and blood, meridians. Song Qinghe.” “I’m here.” Song Qinghe stepped forward. “Using this main line as the center, immediately plan the second and third phases of the project. I want one line to reach the grassland counties in the west, another to connect to the coastal fishing ports in the east, and the rest to connect all the county towns. The State Council will fully allocate funds, food, and supplies. If there’s a shortage of manpower, we’ll use work for relief and recruit refugees. I have only one request: speed!” Song Qinghe looked at the grand plan on the map, his heart pounding. The manpower and resources required were simply astronomical. But without the slightest hesitation, he bowed deeply and said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. I will not refuse, even if it means death!” He knew that nothing the king decided could be impossible. “Very good.” Lin Xiao nodded, put down the charcoal pencil, and glanced at the crowd. “The railway connects our territory. But I feel that it is not enough.” Everyone was stunned. Isn’t the miracle of the railway enough? Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a meaningful smile. “It’s not enough to just connect the territory, we also need to connect people’s hearts. This king has decided to establish the Zhenbei Newspaper Company and publish a newspaper called the Zhenbei Daily.” “Newspaper?” Li Dequan was a little confused. “Your Majesty, is it something like the imperial court gazette?” “No.” Lin Xiao shook his head. “The court bulletin is for officials to read, but this newspaper is for every literate citizen in our Zhenbei Kingdom, even those who cannot read!” He looked at the crowd and said word by word, “This newspaper should use the simplest and most straightforward language to tell our people how much steel the kingdom’s factories produced last month, and how much our new farm tools can increase yields per acre. We should tell stories of our soldiers’ bravery on the frontier, and also publish stories of ordinary craftsmen and farmers who have become wealthy through hard work. We can even serialize some interesting vernacular novels for the people to read!” The more people listened, the brighter their eyes became. They had never imagined that a “newspaper” could do so many things. Song Qinghe’s mind worked the fastest. He understood the profound meaning of this instantly and trembled with excitement. “Your Majesty, this… this is simply a stroke of genius! In this way, your will and the kingdom’s decrees will be spread to every corner in the shortest time! The people’s hearts… the people’s hearts will be completely united as one!” “This is just one of them.” Lin Xiao’s eyes became sharper. “It’s not only a tool to rally the people, it’s also… a weapon!” “Weapons?” General Wang Jian was completely confused. Lin Xiao walked to the map and pointed his finger heavily at the east side of the map, the area belonging to the Great Zhou court, especially the location of the capital. “Just think about it. When our newspapers are delivered to the capital and every prefecture in the Great Zhou via caravans and various channels, the people there will see that everyone in Zhenbei has food to eat and clothes to wear, that their children can go to school for free, that they can take the train, and that they can talk on the phone even across thousands of miles…then they will look back at themselves, at that imperial court with its countless exorbitant taxes, its corrupt officials, and its inability to even defeat the barbarians on the grasslands. They will look at the emperor who hides in the palace and only knows how to do carpentry…” Lin Xiao didn’t say anything else, but everyone in the hall understood instantly. A chill ran down their spines, but it was also accompanied by an uncontrollable fanaticism! This is the real way to kill people and destroy their hearts! Sharper than the blades of a million strong army! “I have decided,” Lin Xiao turned around, his voice as cold as ice, “The Zhenbei Daily will not only be distributed throughout our territory, but also throughout the entire Great Zhou! Initially, it can be sold with our caravans. I want the people of the Great Zhou to hear the voice of the north.” Song Qinghe was a civil servant after all, so he had to think more carefully. He hesitated and said, “Your Majesty, if the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty obstruct us and ban our newspaper…” Lin Xiao looked at Wang Jian with a sneer on his face. “Then send troops to escort them. Anyone who dares to stop us will be killed on the spot. Anyone who dares to ban us will be captured and his city will be sold at the gate of his government office.” He looked around at everyone and issued the final royal order in an unquestionable tone. “This king wants everyone to know what destiny means.” Chapter 412 The King is Right As Lin Xiao finished speaking, you could hear a pin drop in the hall. Railways connect territories. Newspapers connect people’s hearts. One real and one virtual, one tense and one relaxed, like an invisible giant hand, instantly strangled the hearts of everyone present. Song Qinghe stood there, his whole body looked like he was struck by lightning. He stood there for a long while before his body began to tremble slightly. What a horrible conspiracy! First, using the miracle of the train, he demonstrated the supreme might of the Zhenbei Kingdom, crushing the times and forging a god like prestige in the hearts of the people. Then, using the seemingly ordinary object of the newspaper, he instilled the king’s will and the prosperity of the kingdom into everyone’s mind like a gentle spring breeze. Economy, military, public opinion… the trinity, pervasive! Song Qinghe’s breathing suddenly became rapid. He looked at the vast territory belonging to the Great Zhou on the map, as if he had seen a rotten building called “Great Zhou” collapsing under this silent attack. “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is truly a god!” He fell to his knees with a thud, his voice hoarse with extreme excitement. “Once this strategy is implemented, there’s no need for a million troops! The whole nation will be united in no time!” Li Dequan’s wrinkled face was now filled with tears. His thoughts weren’t as deep as Song Qinghe’s, but they were more simple. He seemed to have seen the hope that would light up in the eyes of the people of the Great Zhou, who were still struggling under heavy taxes, when they received this newspaper. “Your Majesty, your old minister… On behalf of the people of the world, I, Your Majesty, would like to thank you for your great grace!” Li Dequan also knelt down and kowtowed loudly. Generals Wang Jian and Sun Mingde exchanged glances, each seeing deep shock in the other’s eyes. They didn’t understand the meaning of public opinion or psychological warfare, but they understood Lin Xiao’s final words: “Whoever dares to stop me will have his city taken down and will have to sell newspapers at the gate of his government office.” “Damn it…” Sun Mingde scratched his head and said after a long pause, “Your Majesty’s method is even more brutal than our artillery shells! Artillery shells blow people apart, but this thing is like stabbing a knife directly into their hearts!” A few days later. In the study of the Beiping County Magistrate’s Mansion, Lin Xiao was dealing with a mountain of official business. Agula stood in the corner like a shadow, with his arms folded. These days, she watched Lin Xiao govern this land. She saw with her own eyes how orders were issued from this study and then carried out throughout the northern border with an efficiency that she could not understand. Today, an order was issued to build a school in a newly recovered county, so that all children of school age can attend it free of charge. Tomorrow, we will allocate cement to reinforce a river embankment thousands of miles away. The day after tomorrow, there will be a report on the promotion of new agricultural tools. It clearly lists the data and is expected to increase grain production by 30% this year. Everything is so organized and incredibly efficient. The more Agula looked, the heavier his heart felt. She thought of her own grasslands, of her father Khan’s court. His meetings were always about which tribes should be conquered for disobedience, and how the captured cattle, sheep, and women should be divided. They were powerful and brave, but also chaotic and barbaric. Compared with Lin Xiao’s kingdom, it doesn’t seem to be from the same era at all. Grassland…what can we use to fight against others? At this moment, an emotion called despair completely covered her heart. And in this despair, a trace of admiration for Lin Xiao, which she was unwilling to admit, quietly emerged. This man is the true hero. Just when she was feeling complicated, Lin Xiao flipped through the documents without raising his head and spoke lightly. “come over.” Agula stiffened and walked over. “Grinding ink.” Agula bit his lip, picked up the ink stick, and began to grind it silently in the inkstone. The study was very quiet, with only the rustling sound of the brush scratching across paper. After Lin Xiao finished reviewing a document, he put it aside, picked up the teacup and took a sip, his eyes falling on Agula. She was wearing a tight fitting outfit that outlined her wild and agile curves. When she leaned over slightly to grind the ink, the curve of her hips was even more eye catching. “Lift your butt up.” Lin Xiao’s voice was still flat, as if he was talking about something very ordinary. “You!” Agula suddenly looked up, stopped grinding ink, and anger and humiliation instantly ignited in his eyes. Lin Xiao put down the teacup, and his eyes finally moved away from the documents and fell on her face. “I don’t want to repeat what I said a second time.” Agula’s breathing hitched. She wanted to resist and smash the inkstone in her hand onto that hateful face. But in my mind, I couldn’t help but recall the scene of the train speeding that day, the hundreds of thousands of people kneeling enthusiastically in front of the platform, and the prosperous and ever changing scene of Zhenbei Kingdom that I had seen in the past few days. Agula’s face flushed red, tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, she slowly turned around, facing Lin Xiao with her back, and supported herself on the desk with her hands. In extreme shame, she bent her body and lifted up her plump and elastic buttocks high. [Ding! Agula’s favorability increased by 2, and the current favorability is 9.] A week later, the first issue of “Zhenbei Daily” was officially published. Overnight, many newsboys wearing uniforms and carrying canvas bags appeared in the streets and alleys of the royal capital. “Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale!” “The inaugural issue of the Zhenbei Daily! The King’s personal inscription! Exclusive coverage of the grand opening ceremony of the train!” “One penny a copy! Just one penny and you’ll know everything that’s going on in the world!” At the door of Wang Tiezhu’s house, Wang Gousheng could no longer hold back and was the first to rush out and snatch a newspaper that still smelled of ink from the newsboy. “Dad! Dad, come and see!” Wang Gousheng’s face flushed with excitement as he spread the newspaper on the counter. “What’s written here is exactly the same as what the king said that day!” Wang Tiezhu leaned over. Although he didn’t know many words, he could still recognize the four large, flamboyantly written characters of “Zhenbei Daily”. “This… this is the newspaper?” “That’s right!” Wang Gousheng pointed at the largest print, which showed a majestic locomotive parked on the platform. “Dad, look, this is the train we took before! There’s even writing underneath, saying… that this train can carry 5,000 dan of grain in one trip! Oh my god!” The neighbors immediately gathered around and talked about it. “Five thousand shi? My goodness, how many oxen would it take to pull that?” “Read it quickly, what else did you write?” Wang Gousheng cleared his throat and read aloud, “Zhenbei King’s Order: The second phase of the railway project will begin immediately! Connecting to the grasslands in the west and the fishing port in the east, the railway network will cover the entire territory within three years!” “Administrative Council Announcement: To support railway construction, we are now recruiting 100,000 laborers. Food and lodging provided, monthly salary 300 wen!” “Wow!” The crowd exploded instantly. Three hundred wen! And food and lodging included! This is something I never dared to imagine before! “I’m going! I’m going to sign up!” a strong man shouted excitedly. “And me!” Wang Tiezhu listened to all this and looked at the genuine excitement and hope on his son and neighbors’ faces, and his eyes felt a little warm. He patted his son’s shoulder, his voice choked with sobs: “Okay… okay… this is the life we should have.” Meanwhile, Zhao Mancang also bought a newspaper, but since he couldn’t understand it, he asked a neighbor’s child who had just finished school to read it to him. When he heard in the newspaper that the steel mill’s steel output had doubled again last month and that with all that iron, more railways could be built and more farm tools could be made, the weathered old man could no longer hold back his tears. He held the thin piece of paper as if it were some priceless treasure. “With the king here, our lives will only get better and better!” He kowtowed heavily in the direction of the palace. On this day, similar scenes were played out in every corner of Zhenbei Country where newspapers were sold. “Damn it! In the past, in the Great Zhou Dynasty, government notices were either about increasing taxes or collecting grain!” A man spat fiercely, “Unlike our king, who only cares about us ordinary people!” “That’s right! Following the king, I’m full of energy!” For the first time, the people felt the pulse of the country so clearly and intuitively. They knew what the king was doing, what the army was doing, and how the country was changing every day . That newspaper was not just a piece of paper, it was a window that allowed them to see a future full of hope. Chapter 413: People’s Hearts Turn North Da Zhou, Jiangnan, Yunzhou City. Yuelai Teahouse was bustling with people. The storyteller was telling the story of “Wu Song Fighting the Tiger,” and the audience was listening with great interest. However, at a table in the corner, the atmosphere was somewhat solemn. Qian San, a slim businessman wearing a silk shirt, carefully took out a stack of square papers from his pocket and spread it on the table. “Hey everyone, here’s the new edition of the Zhenbei Daily, just got it from the caravan in the north.” Several people around immediately rushed over, each grabbed a copy and put it in their arms like a treasure. “Or five cents a copy?” “Old rules.” In the corner, a poor scholar like young man named Chen Mo had been sitting there for half an hour, his tea refills twice. He listened to the crowd’s discussions, feeling itchy and restless. He gritted his teeth, took out the last five copper coins from his worn out purse, and walked up to the fat merchant. “Boss, I also…I want one too.” Qian San glanced at him and handed him a copy. Chen Mo’s hands were shaking slightly as he held the newspaper, which still smelled of ink. He couldn’t wait to unfold it, and his eyes were instantly drawn to the huge train print on the front page. “The Pioneer…can travel a thousand miles a day and transport five thousand dan of grain…” Chen Mo’s breath hitched. Five thousand dan! He had read books and knew what that meant. The entire Yunzhou Prefecture’s annual tax grain was only a few tens of thousands of dan. How could this piece of iron be transported in just a few trips? He continued to read. “Order from the King of Zhenbei: The second phase of the railway project has begun, recruiting 100,000 laborers, providing food and lodging, and a monthly salary of 300 wen.” “Administrative Council Announcement: Passenger train service between the capital and Beiping County has opened, with third class tickets available for only fifty wen.” “Good news from the Department of Industry and Commerce: The Qinglin County Cement Factory has expanded production, and the price of new cement has been reduced by 20%. Residents can purchase it to reinforce their homes.” Chen Mo was stunned by the sight of each and every item. Three hundred coins a month! And that includes food and lodging! He worked tirelessly as a copywriter in the city, earning only a few hundred coins a month, and still had to support himself. Fifty coins to get on a train that travels a thousand miles a day? The journey to the capital to take the exam would cost him more than ten taels of silver, and the journey would take more than two months! Chen Mo felt his head buzzing. The world described in the newspaper and the world he lived in were simply not the same world. The tea drinkers around him were already in an uproar. “Oh my God! Is Zhenbeiguo crazy? They’re offering so much money for hiring workers?” “Look at this! A school! All children can go to school for free! If my son were there, he wouldn’t have to work in the fields with me every day to make a living!” “The newspaper said that people there can use something called a ‘telephone’ to talk to their loved ones thousands of miles away… Isn’t this… a magical method?” An old farmer listened to the newspaper being read, his cloudy eyes gradually lighting up. He muttered to himself, “If I could go to Zhenbei and earn three hundred coins for my son, would he be able to…get a wife?” With just one sentence, the entire teahouse fell silent. Yes, with heavy taxes and rampant bandits, they lived like dogs. But just across the mountain to the north, the people lived a life they could not even dream of. Why? Chen Mo clutched the newspaper tightly, his knuckles turning white from the strain. He had studied so hard for over a decade, and for what? Wasn’t it to “learn the arts of literature and martial arts, and serve the emperor,” to contribute to the imperial court? But now, this belief that he took for granted was violently shaken for the first time. Capital city, imperial palace. “Asshole! Absolutely an asshole!” Li Yan threw a copy of the Zhenbei Daily to the ground. “Spreading lies to confuse the public! Grandstanding to attract attention! This Lin Xiao, a peasant, would use such despicable means to deceive people!” He pointed at the newspaper on the ground and cursed at the eunuch steward beside him: “What train, what telephone? They are nothing but some strange tricks! Our Great Zhou has its own saints to teach us. How can we allow such crooked ways to run rampant!” The chief eunuch knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head, and was silent as a cicada. Li Yan cursed, but found that the depressed mood in his heart did not dissipate at all, but became more irritable. He could ban the newspapers in the capital, but could he ban them everywhere? He could kill the newspaper sellers, but could he silence the people who were talking about it? He can’t. This feeling of powerlessness made him feel extremely humiliated and angry. “Get out! Get out of here!” Li Yan waved his hands irritably. After everyone had left, he didn’t even glance at the newspaper on the ground. He turned and walked back to his woodworking room, picked up a carving knife, and plunged it fiercely into a piece of unformed wood. Only by immersing himself in the world of woodworking could he temporarily forget the shadow cast on him by the man named Lin Xiao. Prime Minister’s Mansion. Zhou Mubai was sitting in the study, also holding a copy of the Zhenbei Daily in his hand. Unlike the emperor’s rage, he just watched quietly, his old face filled with unrelieved worry. After a long time, he let out a long sigh. There was shock, helplessness, and even deep powerlessness in this tone. “What a Lin Xiao… What a Zhenbei Daily…” He muttered to himself, with a hint of bitter admiration in his turbid eyes. Railways, factories, high yield agricultural tools, universal education… Every word in the newspaper was like a heavy hammer, hitting his heart. This is not a conspiracy, it is an open conspiracy. I want to tell you with confidence how prosperous my country is and how well my people live. This is sharper and more terrifying than the attack of a million strong army. What it punishes is the human heart. “The trend… is gone…” Zhou Mubai closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, his face etched with fatigue. He had toiled his entire life for this dynasty, but in the end, he could only watch helplessly as a king rising from the north, his foundations shattered piece by piece in a way he had never seen before. Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan dismissed her attendants and only left her personal maid. She took the carefully folded Zhenbei Daily from the palace maid and slowly unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the words and pictures line by line. Her expression was calm, but her hands, tightly gripping the newspaper with her knuckles slightly white, betrayed her inner unrest . Trains, telephones, tall factory buildings, wide cement roads… When all of this was printed in black and white in the newspaper and became the achievements of a kingdom announced to the world, the shock was unparalleled. That man not only possesses an army that can sweep across the world, but also has the ability to create a new world. Her sister Ruyan lives in such a world. She looked up again at the magnificent yet lifeless palace, and at her husband who was obsessed with carpentry and had long lost the emperor’s heart. An unprecedented sense of absurdity came over me. She folded the newspaper carefully and put it carefully deep in a dressing box. Perhaps, this world really needs a new master. Chapter 414 Preparing to Go to the Capital Zhenbei Palace, backyard. In the garden, several children were chasing and playing on the grass. “Brother, come and chase me!” Lin Xin walked with her short legs, giggling, and the little braid on her head swung back and forth. “Here I come!” Lin Rui rushed forward like a little cannonball, but he tripped and fell on his butt. He didn’t cry, but got up, brushed off the dirt, and continued to chase. Not far away, Lin Xiao lazily lay in a rocking chair, watching the lively scene with a smile on his face. Sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong sat on his left and right, one peeling grapes for him while the other gently massaged his legs. “My husband, look at you. You’re already a king, but you’re still so lazy.” Yan Ruoxi fed a crystal grape to Lin Xiao’s mouth and scolded him. Lin Xiao opened his mouth to eat, mumbling, “Being a king is all about being lazy, otherwise what’s the point?” This sentence made both sisters laugh. At this time, Liu Ruyan came over with a plate of cut fruits and vegetables, her eyes full of gentleness and satisfaction. She put the fruit plate down, looked at Lin Xiao, and said softly: “My Lord, the children have grown up so much. Sister… must miss Mei’er too.” Hearing this, Lin Xiao sat up from his rocking chair. He looked at the longing in Liu Ruyan’s eyes, and his heart moved. Since I became king, I have been very busy and have not paid attention to the capital for some time. “Ruyan,” Lin Xiao took her hand, “Do you miss your sister?” Liu Ruyan nodded, her eyes slightly red. “Okay, let’s get ready.” Lin Xiao smiled, “I’ll take you to the capital to visit her.” Liu Ruyan suddenly raised her head, her eyes full of surprise and disbelief: “Really? Now?” “Of course,” Lin Xiao said, “Let her see for herself how well her sister is doing now. By the way, let her see if the trains and telephones in our Zhenbei Kingdom are just bullshit in the newspapers.” Liu Ruyan was so excited that she couldn’t speak. She could only nod heavily, the light in her eyes brighter than the stars in the sky. The next day, the backyard of the palace was empty. The fur ball let out a low roar and slowly flapped its wings, stirring up a gust of wind. Lin Xiao embraced Liu Ruyan and landed steadily on the broad back of the fur ball. “Hold on tight.” With a command, the ball of fur soared into the sky and instantly turned into a small black dot in the clouds, rushing towards the south. Liu Ruyan leaned tightly in Lin Xiao’s arms, looking at the mountains and rivers rapidly retreating below, her heart filled with excitement. From the air, the land of Zhenbei is dotted with cement roads like gray ribbons, connecting prosperous towns one after another. In the fields, farmers are busy working, and everywhere is a vibrant scene. But when Maoqiu crossed the border and entered the area controlled by the Great Zhou court, the scene was completely different. The land has become visibly barren, villages are sparse, and there are almost no pedestrians on the road. The atmosphere is desolate and desolate. Liu Ruyan looked at the stark contrast, feeling a surge of emotion. She couldn’t help but hug Lin Xiao even tighter. This man was truly creating a whole new world. Capital city, Fengyi Palace. The palace was as quiet as ever, even a little dead. Liu Weilan dismissed his attendants and sat alone by the window, holding a copy of the Zhenbei Daily in his hand. Her eyes fell on the huge train photo on the front page, and her expression was complicated. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, great news!” Qiuyue, the personal maid, ran in hurriedly with an uncontrollable joy on her face. “Why are you so panicked?” Liu Weilan slowly put down the newspaper and regained her dignity as a queen. “The King of the North and Miss Ruyan have arrived at the palace gate!” “What?” Liu Weilan stood up suddenly, and the newspaper in her hand fell to the ground. She didn’t bother to pick it up, her face full of shock and ecstasy, and she walked quickly out of the hall: “Hurry, follow me out to greet them!” She hasn’t lost her composure like this in a long time. When Liu Weilan rushed to the palace gate, she saw Lin Xiao and Liu Ruyan walking side by side. “Sister!” When Liu Ruyan saw her, her eyes turned red. She quickly stepped forward and hugged her tightly. “Ruyan!” Liu Weilan also hugged her sister, her voice trembling slightly, “Are…are you okay?” “I’m fine, sister, I’ve never felt so good!” Liu Ruyan let go of her, held her hand, and a bright smile appeared on her face. Lin Xiao stood aside with his hands behind his back, watching the sisters reunite, just smiling slightly without saying a word. “Hurry, let’s go inside and talk.” Liu Weilan held her sister’s hand and didn’t want to let go for a moment. After entering the inner hall, Liu Ruyan was like an excited little bird, chirping non stop. “Sister, you have no idea how magical our place is right now! The train they talk about in the newspaper is real!” Liu Weilan’s eyes widened as she heard this. Although she had read it in the newspaper thousands of times, the shock she felt was still incomparable when she heard it from her sister herself. “And the telephone! Sister, that thing is even more powerful! I can stand in a room and talk to people dozens of miles away, and the voice is as if it’s right next to my ear!” Liu Ruyan grew increasingly excited as she spoke. She took Liu Weilan’s hand, her eyes filled with a sincere invitation, “Sister, it’s no use just listening to me. Come with me to Zhenbei Country and take a look! See our home with your own eyes, see the iron dragon that can run, and hear the treasure that can transmit sound over thousands of miles! You’ll know when you go there. It truly is a world… one you can’t even imagine!” Liu Weilan’s heart was stirred by her sister’s words. She glanced at Lin Xiao, who was calm and composed beside her, and then looked at the pure happiness and pride in her sister’s eyes without a trace of impurities. That prosperous world that she had only glimpsed a corner of in the newspaper… An intense, uncontrollable desire surged up from the deepest part of her heart. Want to go and have a look? Once this thought came to mind, I could no longer suppress it. “Sister, go!” Liu Ruyan noticed her hesitation and added fuel to the fire, “The Master…he truly is performing a miracle! Only when you see it with your own eyes will you understand that everything I say is true!” Liu Weilan took a deep breath and looked at Lin Xiao who was calm and composed beside her. This man seemed to have everything under control. He not only possessed the military power to overturn the world, but also the ability to create a new world. “Is it… too much trouble?” There was a tremor in her voice that she herself didn’t even notice. Lin Xiao smiled, a smile that was calm yet powerful. “For the Empress, it’s just stepping out of the palace. For me, it’s just taking my family back home. Why would it be such a hassle?” With just one sentence, the last barrier in Liu Weilan’s heart collapsed. family…… She nodded, but her tone was extremely firm: “Okay, I’ll go with you.” Chapter 415 Miracle Seeing Liu Weilan agreed, Liu Ruyan was overjoyed and almost jumped up. Lin Xiao said, “There is no time to lose. Let’s go now to avoid any more trouble.” When I arrived at the secluded palace again, Maoqiu was already waiting for me. With the experience from the previous times, Liu Weilan was no longer so nervous. She let Lin Xiao help her onto the fur ball’s back and sat steadily behind Liu Ruyan. As the fur ball flapped its wings, its huge body rose from the ground and silently blended into the thick night. This time, Liu Weilan’s mood was completely different from last time. Her nervousness gave way to intense anticipation. She sat behind Liu Ruyan, feeling the sharp wind from the sky, her gaze fixed on the ground below. When the ball of hair flew out of the capital and entered the hinterland controlled by the Great Zhou court, Liu Weilan frowned unconsciously. Looking down from the sky, the scene below is shocking. The villages are sparse, the fields are barren, and large areas of land appear to be a sickly yellow. The official roads connecting villages and towns are bumpy, like the wrinkles on an old man’s face, and there are almost no traces of pedestrians or vehicles. The whole earth was shrouded in a dead twilight, and the occasional few small lights seemed so weak and powerless. The foundation of the Great Zhou has become so rotten. She didn’t know how long they had been flying. Just when her heart was getting heavier, Liu Ruyan pointed ahead and shouted excitedly, “Sister, look! We’re here!” Liu Weilan looked in the direction she pointed, and after just one glance, she could no longer look away. It was as if an invisible hand had drawn a clear dividing line on the ground. On one side of the dividing line was the desolation and desolation she had just witnessed, while on the other side was a completely different world! The first thing that caught my eye was the gray road crisscrossing like a spiderweb, smooth and wide, clearly visible even in the darkness. On either side of the road lay vast expanses of fields laid out like a chessboard, lush and vibrant with greenery. Towns are like shining pearls, scattered across the vast land, brightly lit and connected together, just like the stars in the sky fallen to earth. Liu Weilan even saw that on one of the widest “roads”, there was a long steel dragon emitting white smoke, dragging a long string of “boxes” with lights on, speeding forward at an incredible speed! “That…that’s the train?” Liu Weilan pointed downwards, her voice trembling with excitement. “Yes, sister!” Liu Ruyan’s tone was full of pride. “With it, it used to take ten days to half a month to get from the county town to Beiping County, but now it only takes half a day!” Liu Weilan was completely speechless. The pictures and texts in the newspapers are not even one tenth as shocking as seeing it with your own eyes. This land was filled with a vitality and prosperity beyond her imagination. Roads, towns, factories, farmland… everything was in perfect order, brimming with vigor and vitality. This stark contrast struck Liu Weilan like a heavy hammer. She finally understood that what Lin Xiao had established was not just an ordinary kingdom, but a civilization that was hundreds of years ahead of its time. Soon, the ball of fur began to lower its altitude and flew towards a city with the brightest lights below. That is the capital of Zhenbei Kingdom, the former Qinglin County City. Landing in the backyard of the palace, Lin Xiao looked at Liu Weilan, who was still in shock, and smiled slightly: “Empress, welcome to the Zhenbei Kingdom.” Liu Weilan followed them in a trance into a spacious and bright study. “Sister, please sit down first.” Liu Ruyan pulled her to sit down, then ran to another room. Lin Xiao pointed to a strange black wooden box on the desk and said to Liu Weilan, “Empress, would you like to try something more magical than a train?” Liu Weilan’s eyes fell on the wooden box. There was a crank on the side of the box, and two strings connected to the front. One was connected to something like a pillow, and the other led to the wall, where it disappeared. “Is this the phone?” “Yes,” Lin Xiao explained, “It can allow people who are a hundred miles apart to talk to each other as if they were face to face.” Liu Weilan’s eyes opened wide, her heart pounding. Lin Xiao didn’t say much, just picked up the thing that looked like a pillow and handed it to her: “Your sister is in the bedroom next door right now, you will know if you try it.” Liu Weilan took it hesitantly. The thing felt heavy in his hand and had a slightly cold touch. “Hold it close to your ear.” Lin Xiao pointed to the crank on the side, “Then shake this.” Liu Weilan’s heart was beating wildly. She felt that what she was holding was not some strange object, but a key that was revealing a miracle. She stretched out her other slightly trembling hand, grasped the crank, and shook it vigorously a few times according to Lin Xiao’s instructions. “Ding ling ling——” A clear bell suddenly rang in the quiet study, startling Liu Weilan. Almost at the same time, a slight sound came from the receiver in her hand, and then a voice that was so familiar that it couldn’t be more familiar came clearly into her ears. “Hello? Is this you, sir?” It’s a sound like smoke! Liu Weilan’s whole body froze, as if struck by lightning! She turned her head abruptly and looked around. Besides her and Lin Xiao, there was no one else in the room. But her sister’s voice rang clearly in her ears, as if she were lying next to her and speaking. “Sister? Is that you? Sister, say something!” Liu Ruyan’s voice was a little anxious in the receiver. “Ru…Ruyan?” Liu Weilan trembled her lips and made a tentative sound. “Sister! I heard your voice!” Liu Ruyan’s excited voice came from the receiver. The joy crossed the barrier of space and directly hit Liu Weilan’s heart. “This… How is this possible…” Liu Weilan was completely stunned. She held the receiver, looked at Lin Xiao, then at the “listening pillow” in her hand, her mind blank. She even subconsciously took the receiver away and brought it close to her eyes to examine it repeatedly, as if trying to find her sister hidden within this ordinary object. “Hahaha, sister,” Liu Ruyan’s laughter came from the receiver, “This is the phone, isn’t it magical!” magic? This word is completely inadequate to describe Liu Weilan’s mood at the moment. This is a miracle! It is a miracle that mortals cannot understand and can only worship! But now, it was happening right before his eyes. Her hand holding the receiver was shaking violently, and her eyes were filled with incomparable shock and…admiration. She looked at Lin Xiao again. In her eyes, the image of that man who had always been calm and composed had completely changed. She stared at Lin Xiao in a daze. The man still looked calm and composed, as if he had just shown her an ordinary gadget. But this little gadget is enough to drive any emperor in the world crazy. Chapter 416: Reshaping Three Views After a “miracle”, perhaps we won’t be so surprised if we see another “miracle”. Lin Xiao looked at her distraught appearance, walked forward with a smile, gently took the receiver from her hand and put it back where it belonged. “Empress, would you like to see that iron thing running on the ground?” Liu Weilan turned her head woodenly, and her empty eyes took a long time to focus again. She remembered the smoking steel behemoth in the newspaper. “Train?” she murmured. “Yes, we take the train.” Lin Xiao said it calmly, as if he was talking about an ordinary little thing. The ball of fur took off again, but this time it didn’t fly far. It just silently passed over the city wall and landed in a huge brightly lit area on the outskirts of the city. As soon as I landed, a unique smell of coal and hot steam hit me in the face. Liu Weilan looked up and took a deep breath. I saw two black rails extending into the distance under the moonlight. On top of the rails, lay a giant steel beast that was difficult to describe in words. It is pitch black and huge, with a huge chimney at the front pointing straight to the night sky, as if it can spew out flames at any time. Is this thing…alive? “Woo——” As if in response to her question, the steel giant suddenly let out a deafening roar, and a thick white steam spewed out of the chimney, rolling in the night sky. Liu Weilan was so frightened that her face turned pale. She subconsciously took a step back and grabbed Liu Ruyan’s arm tightly. “Don’t be afraid, sister,” Liu Ruyan patted her hand soothingly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “It’s a train, one of the greatest creations of our Zhenbei Country.” Lin Xiao had already walked forward and said a few words to several people wearing uniform blue work clothes, then turned around and waved to them. “Come on up and feel what it’s like to be at lightning speed.” With Lin Xiao’s support, Liu Weilan stepped on the special stairs and climbed onto the “iron box” dragged behind the steel behemoth with trepidation. Entering the carriage, she was stunned again. It was a completely different world inside, with soft red carpets, comfortable velvet seats, bright but not glaring glass lamps inlaid on the walls, and even exquisite tea sets and fruit plates placed on a small mahogany table. This is not a cold iron box, but a luxuriously decorated mobile house. Before she could take a closer look, the entire carriage suddenly shook violently, and with a loud “clang”, it began to move slowly forward. Liu Weilan screamed, her body unsteady, and she subconsciously grabbed the handrail by the window tightly, her face pale. The train was going faster and faster, the wheels collided with the rails, making a rhythmic “click” sound, and the scenery outside the window began to move backwards rapidly. From initial fear to gradual adaptation, Liu Weilan’s curiosity finally overcame her fear. She pressed her face close to the polished glass window and stared blankly outside. The train headed north and soon entered the territory of Zhenbei Kingdom. Through the car window, Liu Weilan saw a painting that she would never forget. Outside the window, there are fields that are planned as neatly as a chessboard. The green crops are swaying in the night breeze and growing well. In the distance, the lights of towns are shining brightly, like diamonds scattered on black velvet. You can even see many tall chimneys emitting billowing white smoke, and the factory buildings below the chimneys are also brightly lit and full of the vitality of labor. Patrol teams can be seen from time to time on the road, and farmers returning home late can be seen on the ridges of the fields. There is no numbness or sorrow on their faces, but a steady and satisfied smile. This vibrant and prosperous scene formed an extremely sharp and cruel contrast with the lifeless and devastated land in the heart of the Great Zhou that she had seen from the sky when she arrived. On one side is her husband, the emperor of the Great Zhou, who guards the corrupt country and indulges in carpentry, leaving the people of the world struggling in the quagmire. On the other side was this man who had started from nothing and yet in just a few years had created a kingdom so prosperous, powerful, and full of hope. Liu Weilan’s heart felt like it was being tugged at by something, a bitter and bitter feeling, a mixture of emotions. She suddenly felt that the Great Zhou Dynasty she had always protected, and the title of Queen, were so pathetic and ridiculous. “Sister, what are you thinking about?” Liu Ruyan’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She had unknowingly sat down next to Liu Weilan, holding her arm affectionately. “Nothing.” Liu Weilan shook her head, but her eyes still did not leave the window. “Sister, now you understand why I say that the Master is… the best man in the world.” Liu Ruyan’s voice was filled with admiration and love. “He is considerate, gentle, and…” She suddenly leaned close to Liu Weilan’s ear, lowered her voice, and smiled mischievously. “Besides, his ‘ability’ is the strongest in the world. Sister, you have been alone in an empty room for many years, and your body must have been empty for a long time. Do you want to… let the adults help you clear it up?” “you!” Liu Weilan’s face flushed red, spreading from her cheeks to her snow white neck. She was embarrassed and angry, and wanted to scold her sister for talking nonsense, but the words came to her lips, but she couldn’t say them. She glared at Liu Ruyan angrily, but her eyes lacked strength, and instead seemed more like she was acting coquettishly. She subconsciously glanced at Lin Xiao who was sitting opposite her, only to find that he was looking at her with a smile. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through all her thoughts. Liu Weilan’s heart skipped a beat and she looked away in panic, feeling uncomfortable all over. Seeing this, Liu Ruyan giggled. At this moment, Lin Xiao stood up from the opposite side and sat on the other side of Liu Weilan. A strong masculine scent instantly enveloped Liu Weilan. Her body stiffened and she subconsciously wanted to move to the side. But before she could move, a strong arm came around and embraced her soft waist without giving her any room to refuse. “Ah…” Liu Weilan let out a low cry, and her body instantly tensed like a stone. She struggled a bit, trying to push away the big hand that was playing tricks on her waist. But the arm was like an iron clamp, not moving at all, but tightening even more, holding her entire soft body in his arms. Her cheek was pressed tightly against his solid chest, and she could clearly hear his steady and strong heartbeat. “Hehehe… Sister, don’t move. Look how much the adults like you.” Beside her, Liu Ruyan’s laughter became even more cheerful, like a fox that had stolen honey. Chapter 417: Heart Defense Loss Shame, embarrassment, and a hint of unprecedented panic all washed over Liu Weilan. She was the Empress of the Great Zhou, the mother of the nation. How could she have ever been treated so frivolously? She struggled hard, twisting her body, trying to break free from the embrace. “Let me go…” Her voice trembled and was full of resistance. Lin Xiao looked down at the struggling woman in his arms. Her hair was slightly messy, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were misty, adding a touch of charm that was not usually there. He leaned over, put his lips to her slightly hot ear, and said in a low but clear voice that only the two of them could hear: “If you move again, I will finish you right here.” The warm breath brushed against the earlobe, carrying a hint of unquestionable dominance. Liu Weilan’s body suddenly stiffened and all her struggles stopped. Her eyes widened in disbelief. This man…how dare he say such…such a foolish thing! On this flying iron dragon, in front of her own sister? A huge sense of shame instantly overwhelmed her, making her fingertips tremble. But her reason told her that if this man could say it, he would definitely do it. She didn’t dare move anymore, not even a little bit. She could only let him hold her so domineeringly. Her body was as stiff as a stone sculpture, and her cheeks were so hot that they were about to burn. Liu Ruyan, who was standing next to her, looked at her sister, who was ashamed and angry but did not dare to resist, and secretly gave Lin Xiao a thumbs up, with a smile in her eyes almost overflowing. Lin Xiao held the soft, warm body in his arms, feeling very happy. Seeing that she had calmed down, the big hand around her waist did not calm down. His fingers gently stroked her slender waist through the soft palace dress, then slowly moved upwards, brushing across her flat and flexible back. Liu Weilan’s body trembled slightly uncontrollably, as if struck by an electric current. She could clearly feel the scorching heat of his palm, leaving a burning mark wherever it passed. Her breathing became rapid, and she could only bite her lower lip tightly, close her eyes, and suppress all the humiliation and panic in her heart. It had been a long time since she had such an intimate act with a man. As the queen, she was used to keeping a distance from others, and even the emperor rarely treated him like that. But at this moment, she was once again held in Lin Xiao’s arms so intimately and flirted with him wantonly. The feeling of humiliation came like a tide, but underneath this humiliation, deep in my heart, there was an extremely strange, tingling feeling that was quietly spreading. It was like a stone thrown into an ancient well that had been silent for many years, causing ripples that she could not control. She didn’t know what this feeling was, she just felt scared and wanted to escape. The train’s rhythmic clang seemed to accompaniment her chaotic heartbeat. Time seemed to stretch indefinitely at this moment, and every minute and every second was torture. After an unknown amount of time, the train finally slowed down, and finally with a long whistle, it stopped smoothly at the platform of the county town. “arrive.” Lin Xiao’s voice sounded above her head, and the big hand that made her feel uncomfortable finally loosened. Liu Weilan felt as if she had been pardoned. She jumped out of his arms almost immediately, tidying up her messy clothes and hair. She kept her head down and did not dare to look at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao didn’t care. He still had that calm smile on his face as he took the two sisters out of the car. After experiencing the train, the few of them did not stay any longer. The ball of fur took off again and carried the three of them back to the capital. This time, Lin Xiao was still sitting behind Liu Weilan on the broad back of Maoqiu. To steady her, his chest pressed against her back, intentionally or unintentionally, and his arms wrapped around her in front, completely confining her within his confines. Liu Weilan could clearly feel the solid touch and scorching body temperature coming from behind her, and the familiar masculine scent surrounded her everywhere. Her heart was completely in turmoil, her mind was blank, and she could only sit there stiffly, praying over and over in her heart that she would reach her destination quickly. The night wind blew, ruffling her hair, but it couldn’t blow away the blush on her face and the panic in her heart. Finally, the familiar outline of Fengyi Palace appeared before his eyes. The ball of fur landed silently in the yard. Only when his feet stepped on solid ground again did Liu Weilan feel that his heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down. Lin Xiao hugged Liu Ruyan and said to Liu Weilan, “Your Majesty, please rest early. We won’t disturb you.” After saying that, he prepared to leave with Liu Ruyan. “Wait.” Liu Weilan looked at his back and called out to him as if possessed by a ghost. Lin Xiao turned around, raised his eyebrows and looked at her. Liu Weilan’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him looking at her. She realized that she had spoken out of turn and didn’t know what to say for a moment. Lin Xiao smiled, took out a small object from his arms, walked forward, and stuffed it into her hand without saying a word. “This is for you, to cheer you up.” After saying that, he did not stop, turned around, helped Liu Ruyan jump onto the back of the ball of fur, and disappeared into the night in an instant. Liu Weilan stood there in a daze, looking down at the thing in his hand. It was a crystal clear glass box, slightly cool to the touch, exquisitely crafted to the point of seeming unearthly. Through the transparent glass, one could see the intricate metal components within. Curiously, she fiddled with a small switch on the side of the box. “Ding ding dong dong…” A string of clear and pleasant music, like the sound of nature, slowly came out from the glass box and echoed in the silent night. Liu Weilan was shocked and completely stunned. She looked at the glass box in her hand that automatically played beautiful music, then looked up in the direction where Lin Xiao disappeared, her eyes becoming extremely complicated. Telephone, train, and this magical music box… That man was overbearing, rude, frivolous, and a complete bastard. But he can easily produce these creations that subvert cognition and are like miracles. The feel of him hugging her, the whispers in her ears, and the strong heartbeat in her chest now uncontrollably emerged in her mind, intertwined with the miracle before her eyes. Liu Weilan clenched the music box in her hand, standing in a daze under the cold moonlight, speechless for a long time. Chapter 418 The Queen’s Change After Lin Xiao left, Fengyi Palace remained deserted. Liu Weilan had finished washing up and was sitting in front of the dressing table, holding the glass box that automatically played beautiful music in her hand. A personal maid tiptoed in and bowed, reporting, “Your Majesty, I just asked, and Your Majesty… is still in the side hall of the Qianqing Palace, concentrating on carving the dragon boat model. He hasn’t come out for three days.” The palace maid’s voice was very soft, but it was like a needle piercing Liu Weilan’s heart. She waved her hand, signaling the maid to leave. She was the only one left in the palace, and the tireless music. Another scene emerged uncontrollably in her mind. The giant steel dragon flying in the night, the magical “telephone” that allows sisters thousands of miles away to talk to each other as if they were face to face, the brightly lit factories and neatly arranged fields on that land, and the people with down to earth smiles on their faces that I saw on the way here. On one side, it is full of vitality, advancing by leaps and bounds, and is full of unimaginable energy and hope. On the other hand, there is a lifeless and self contained society. Even the noblest king is obsessed with the pleasure of craftsmanship and does not care about the country and the people. The strong contrast was like two invisible hands tearing at her heart. The identity of queen that she had always upheld seemed so pale and ridiculous after witnessing that new world with her own eyes. She suddenly felt empty, an unprecedented emptiness and loss enveloping her entire being. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s Favorability: 29+5, Current Favorability: 34] The palace of the King of Zhenbei. As soon as Lin Xiao returned to the study, the system prompt sounded in his mind. He raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning a chance to win a prize! ] Lin Xiao suddenly became energetic. “System, draw a lottery!” The familiar virtual roulette wheel spun rapidly before my eyes, and finally, the pointer stopped steadily on an icon that was flashing with electric light. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining the “Complete Set of Knowledge on Telegraph Technology”! ] Lin Xiao’s breathing suddenly stagnated, and then a huge ecstasy surged into his heart. telegraph! If the telephone is point to point private communication, then the telegraph is the nerve network covering the entire kingdom! It is truly a voice over a thousand miles, the clarion call of the information age! With it, the transmission of military orders will no longer be limited by the speed of horses, the acquisition and distribution of intelligence will be completed in a nearly instantaneous manner, and the administrative efficiency of the entire kingdom will be exponentially improved! For a regime that is in urgent need of expansion and consolidation of its rule, this thing is even more valuable than a hundred thousand troops! He immediately closed his eyes and quietly felt the huge torrent of information pouring into his mind. From the most basic electromagnetic induction, to the structure of the electric key, the principle of the buzzer, to the magical coding system composed of “dips” and “daps” called “Morse code”, and finally even including the transmission and reception of radio waves… Countless pieces of knowledge and drawings converged and integrated in his mind, eventually forming a clear and complete technical system. Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes. A grand plan quickly took shape in his mind. With the capital as the center, telegraph lines were laid along the railways and telephone lines to every county, every county, and even every important military fortress! Create a nervous system that truly belongs to Zhenbei Country, one that is efficient, fast, and in absolute control! By then, the transmission of military orders, the issuance of political decrees, and the gathering of intelligence will all be accomplished in the blink of an eye. There will no longer be any secrets in this world. He couldn’t sit still any longer, so he stood up and walked to the door, saying in a deep voice, “Someone! Go to the workshop immediately and call Zhang Fuan over!” At this moment in the weapons workshop, Zhang Fuan was fiddling with a newly assembled telephone with an obsessive look on his face. He was puzzled by the principle of how it could transmit sound and felt that the king was a god from heaven. A palace guard came running over: “Master Zhang, the king urgently summons you!” Zhang Fuan shuddered all over and almost dropped the parts in his hand. The king has summoned me again! He instantly put the phone behind him, and an indescribable excitement and anticipation surged in his heart. Every time the king urgently summons him, it means that another earth shattering divine object is about to appear in the world! He wiped his hands hastily on his apron, and without even changing his clothes, he trotted all the way to the palace. “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan rushed into the study panting, his face flushed and his eyes shining. Lin Xiao pointed at the table and motioned him to sit down. “You already know how to build a telephone. That thing is good, but it can only allow two people to talk at a time. I want you to build a new thing now. It can allow what one person says to be transmitted throughout the kingdom in the blink of an eye, allowing thousands of people to ‘hear’ it at the same time.” Zhang Fuan was stunned when he heard this, his mouth slightly open, his mind a little confused. How could it spread across the kingdom in the blink of an eye? What kind of magical trick was this? “I’ll name this thing a telegram.” After Lin Xiao finished speaking, he picked up a pen and started drawing quickly on a piece of white paper. He first drew a simple device: a base with a button and a battery attached to it. “This is called a telegraph key. It’s a transmitter. Press it once, and electricity will flow. The longer you press it, the more electricity will flow; the shorter you press it, the less electricity will flow. Each long and short press represents a different meaning.” As he spoke, he drew another device on the other side: an electromagnet connected to a small hammer that could make a sound. “This is a receiver. When the power is applied over there, the electromagnet over here is attracted, and the little hammer strikes, making a ticking sound. A long current corresponds to a long tone, and a short current corresponds to a short tone.” Zhang Fuan leaned over, his eyes wide open, looking at the structures on the drawings that were both familiar and unfamiliar to him, and listening to Lin Xiao’s explanation, he was completely dumbfounded. “If we compile a ‘code book’ ahead of time and use these long and short ‘diddah’ sounds to represent all commonly used words, then when I knock over here, people thousands of miles away can hear it and, by comparing it with the code book, know what I’m trying to say, right?” Zhang Fuan’s mind was racing. At first he looked confused, but as he listened, his eyes widened and his breathing became rapid. Suddenly, he seemed to be struck by a bolt of lightning, and his whole body shook violently! He understood! Telephone calls are good, but on the battlefield, how can shouting be as clear and understandable as orders written in black and white? With this thing, the king can sit in the capital and the movements of the frontline troops and enemy intelligence can be transmitted back in an instant! And the king’s military orders can also be delivered to any general at the same time! This… this is no longer just a divine object! This is tailor made for the king, with the supreme power to control the world and determine the fate of the universe! With a “thump”, Zhang Fuan knelt on his knees, shaking with excitement, and his voice changed. “Your Majesty! This is… this is a divine weapon bestowed by heaven!” Chapter 419 Divine Weapon Lin Xiao helped Zhang Fuan, who was trembling with excitement, up from the ground and patted him on the shoulder. “Stop kneeling and get up to work. Time waits for no one. I want to see this thing as soon as possible.” “Yes! Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan stood up suddenly and almost stumbled because he was too excited. He wiped his hands roughly on himself, his eyes shining, his obsession rising again, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! Even if I don’t eat or drink, I will definitely get it out for you!” Lin Xiao smiled and said nothing more, then took him directly to the core area of the workshop. It is an independent workshop specially developed for the development of new objects. It is heavily guarded and the craftsmen inside are all carefully selected by Zhang Fuan. They have top notch skills and are the most tight lipped. When Lin Xiao spread the white paper with the sketch of the telegraph machine on the workbench, the whole workshop fell silent. All the top craftsmen gathered around, craning their necks to look at the two simple yet extremely mysterious gadgets on the blueprint, their faces filled with bewilderment and confusion. “This… Your Majesty, can this thing really make your words spread throughout the kingdom?” An old craftsman couldn’t help but ask. He had been doing carpentry work all his life and really couldn’t figure it out. “Yes.” Lin Xiao’s answer consisted of only one word, but it was full of unquestionable power. He stopped explaining and simply picked up the tool. Pointing to the most important component on the blueprint—the electromagnet—he said to Zhang Fuan, “For the coil, use the finest copper wire. Wrap it tightly and evenly, 1,200 turns. Not one more, not one less.” Then, he pointed to the small electric key: “The toughness of the spring is key. It must ensure that it connects instantly when pressed, and that it bounces back immediately when released, without any sticking. The contacts are made of silver, which has the best conductivity.” In the next few days, Lin Xiao almost lived and ate in the workshop. He personally demonstrated to the craftsmen how to wrap copper wire, thinner than a hair, densely around a small iron core. His technique was terrifyingly steady, and the spacing between each circle was as even as if it had been measured with a ruler. This made the eyes of a group of veteran craftsmen twitch, and their awe for the king deepened. Zhang Fuan took several of his most promising apprentices and worked tirelessly to polish every part. Following the king’s instructions, they turned pieces of wood, copper sheets, and iron blocks into the parts on the drawings that were precise to the millimeter. In the entire workshop, the only sounds that could be heard were the rustling sound of files and the occasional hammering sound. Everyone held their breath, fearing that any mistake on their part would delay the birth of this divine object. The most time consuming part is the final assembly and debugging. Lin Xiao personally took the tweezers and installed each tiny part into place, and then repeatedly adjusted the rebound force of the key and the striking gap of the small hammer of the receiver. “No, this sound is too muffled and not crisp enough.” “If the spring were a little tighter, it wouldn’t rebound fast enough.” “The gap between these contacts is too large, which can easily lead to poor contact.” Precise and strict instructions came out of Lin Xiao’s mouth, and Zhang Fuan and the craftsmen were sweating profusely as they made revisions. Their admiration for Lin Xiao had risen to an almost blind level. The king… he seems to know everything! Finally, at dusk on the fifth day, when Lin Xiao connected the last wire to the battery, two identical machines were quietly placed on the workbench. The black wooden base is inlaid with yellow copper parts. On one side is a small button, and on the other side is an electromagnet connected to a small hammer. The whole exudes a precision and mystery that cannot be described in words. “Your Majesty…is this…is it done?” Zhang Fuan’s voice trembled slightly. He stretched out his hand, wanting to touch it but not daring to, for fear of damaging this treasure that embodied everyone’s hard work. Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, and he nodded: “It’s done.” He stood up and ordered the guards outside, “Send this machine to General Sun Mingde’s headquarters immediately! Send someone else to set up this line along the road from the palace to the headquarters!” At the same time, at Zhenbei Kingdom’s military headquarters. Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other senior generals were gathered around the sand table, vigorously discussing the defense deployment of the newly recovered areas. At this moment, a team of palace craftsmen, escorted by guards, walked in carefully carrying a box covered with black cloth. “General Sun, General Wang Jian, the king has ordered that this item be placed in the Grand Council Hall.” The leading craftsman said respectfully. Sun Mingde waved his hand and asked them to put down their things. The black cloth was lifted, and a telegraph machine exactly the same as the one in Lin Xiao’s study appeared in front of the generals. The entire Grand Council fell silent in an instant. A group of burly generals, who had been on the edge of a knife for years, stared with their eyes wide open and curiously circled around this strange thing. “What is this?” A bearded general reached out and poked the switch. Feeling a little springy, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “It looks like a mousetrap.” “Don’t talk nonsense!” Wang Jian glared at him. Although he didn’t understand, his expression was much more serious. He walked around the machine and said in a deep voice, “The things Your Majesty sent must be of earth shattering use.” “That’s right,” Sun Mingde stroked his chin, his eyes solemn. “That piece of metal called a telephone last time already opened my eyes. This new thing is probably even more complicated.” Seeing this, the leading craftsman hurriedly explained, “Generals, the king said this thing is called a ‘telegraph machine’ and it can…can transmit orders over thousands of miles.” “A thousand mile message?” The bearded general laughed again. He pointed at the machine and said, “It relies on this key and a small hammer? How does it transmit? If we knock on it here, will the king hear it over there?” The craftsman was sweating profusely after being asked this question. He stammered and could not explain clearly. He could only say: “I don’t understand it either, but this is what the king said.” As soon as he finished speaking, the machine, which had been silent all the time, suddenly made a series of crisp and rhythmic sounds! “Tick tock—” “drop ” “Tick tock—” The sudden sound startled everyone. The bearded general even drew out half of his sword with a “swish” and looked around vigilantly. “What’s going on?” “It’s… this thing that’s making the noise!” Wang Jian pointed at the small hammer of the machine and shouted. Everyone’s eyes were instantly focused on it, and they saw the small hammer striking up and down rhythmically, making a “tick tick” sound. Along with the machine came a telegraph operator who was specifically responsible for translating telegrams. At this moment, he was holding a newly printed code book, his hands trembling as he lay on the table, listening to the sound while writing and drawing on the paper quickly. In the Grand Council Hall, you can hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath and stared at the telegraph operator. Chapter 420: Peace in the World “Tick tock—” “drop ” “Tick tock—” Finally it was over. The telegraph operator was sweating profusely, and his hand holding the pen was shaking as if it was sifting chaff. He quickly wrote a few words on the paper and handed it to Sun Mingde. “General Sun…” Sun Mingde grabbed the note, and Wang Jian and the bearded general beside him immediately came over. On the paper, there were only four large characters with wet ink. Peace on earth. “What the hell?” The bearded general scratched his head, looking puzzled. “The king just sent these four words? What do they mean?” Wang Jian’s brows were also tightly furrowed. He stared at the four words, puzzled. Only Sun Mingde had a trace of confusion flash across his rough face, and then, as if he thought of something, his pupils suddenly shrank. His thick fingers pinched the light piece of paper, but it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Without saying a word, he turned around and strode towards the “telephone” in the corner that was also sent by the king. He grabbed the receiver and shook the handle roughly. Soon, the call was connected. “Your Majesty!” Sun Mingde’s voice was a little tense, and he tried to sound calm. “You… you just used that new thing to transmit four words to me?” On the other end of the phone, Lin Xiao’s voice, with a hint of smile, came so clear that it seemed to be right next to his ear. “Yes, it’s ‘Peace Under Heaven’. Got it?” boom! It was as if a thunder exploded in Sun Mingde’s head, and he was completely stunned. His hand holding the receiver shook violently and he almost lost his grip. It’s true! It was really sent by the king from the palace! It would take at least half an hour to get from the palace to the military headquarters even if one rode at full speed. But what about just now? From the first beep of the machine to the moment he saw the note, it had only been a few dozen breaths! This is not just fast, this is the method of a god! Sun Mingde felt a surge of hot blood rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and goose bumps appeared all over his body. He turned around abruptly, staring with red eyes at the telegraph machine that was still placed quietly. There was no longer a trace of doubt in his eyes, only fanaticism and awe as if he was looking up to a god. He remembered what the bearded general had said just now: this thing looked like a mousetrap, which was simply blasphemy! “Your Majesty… Your Majesty…” Sun Mingde’s voice was trembling, and he was so excited that he couldn’t speak coherently. “This… This is really… It’s amazing!” “From now on, all military orders will be transmitted using this. The code book will be changed regularly, and this matter is classified as top secret.” Lin Xiao’s voice remained steady. “Yes! I obey your command!” Sun Mingde roared with all his strength. After hanging up the phone, he rushed back to the telegraph like an enraged bull. All the generals in the Grand Council looked at him, not daring to breathe. With a “plop” sound. The number one military officer of Zhenbei Country, this iron blooded man who was decisive and never frowned on the battlefield, suddenly felt his knees go weak and he knelt straight in front of the telegraph machine. He lowered his proud head and roared in a hoarse yet excited voice: “Your Majesty is a god! God bless me and help me conquer the Northern Kingdom!” His kneeling was like pushing down the first domino. Wang Jian, the bearded general, and all the senior generals in the Grand Council all looked horrified. They looked at the small machine, then at Sun Mingde kneeling on the ground, and instantly understood what it meant. This means that future wars will be completely rewritten! Imagine the king sitting in the capital, planning and directing the affairs of state. Any disturbance on the front lines could be reported back in an instant. Any military order from the king could also be delivered to every corner at the same time! What a terrifying control power! In this world, who else can be the king’s opponent? “Plop!” “Plop!” Amidst the continuous muffled thuds, every single one of the iron blooded generals in the room knelt down. They kowtowed deeply toward the “sacred artifact” and the direction of the palace. It was a shock and submission that came from the depths of the soul. The next day, the front page headline of the Zhenbei Daily, in an unprecedentedly large and exaggerated font, published a piece of news that was enough to make the entire kingdom boil again. “The world is so small, the telegram brings good news! The king has bestowed another divine weapon, and the military order can be sent in an instant!” When the newspaper was distributed to every county and every town in Zhenbei Kingdom, the entire kingdom fell into a frenzy of worship. “Oh my God! Can the king transmit his voice over a thousand miles again?” “The newspaper said it’s even more powerful than that phone call! A phone call can only be used between two people, but this telegram can allow the king’s words to spread throughout the kingdom!” “Your Majesty is a god descended from heaven! If we follow your Majesty, what is there to be afraid of?” Countless people spontaneously walked out of their homes, knelt down in the direction of the capital, and shouted “Long live the king”. The gathered people’s hearts and faith almost broke through the sky. At this moment, Lin Xiao’s reputation among the people reached an unprecedented peak. In the royal palace, in a quiet courtyard. Agula was sitting by the window, also holding a copy of the Zhenbei Daily in his hand. Her eyes fell blankly on the eye catching title, and she stared at it for a long, long time, so long that even her eyes felt sore. His expression was almost numb. From the initial hatred and unyielding spirit, to the struggle and anger after being captured, to witnessing cement, steel mills, tap water, electric lights… Her pride was crushed again and again. When she sat on the steel behemoth called “train”, felt the lightning speed, and looked at the vibrant kingdom outside the window, her faith in the grassland was shaken more than once. And now, this newspaper, this artifact called “telegram”, was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back, completely crushing all the remaining pride and fantasies in her heart. The grassland cavalry that she was proud of looked as fragile as a joke in front of the steel behemoth. This is not a war on the same level at all. She felt like a child holding a wooden stick, trying to challenge a god holding thunder and fire. Ridiculous and sad. Footsteps sounded at the door. Agula didn’t even look up, she knew who was coming. Lin Xiao walked slowly up to her, his eyes falling on her distraught face and the newspaper that was crumpled in her hand. He didn’t mock or show off, but simply asked in a very calm tone, as if asking about the weather today: “Which is the future, the grassland or here?” Agula’s body trembled violently. She slowly raised her head and looked at the man in front of her. His eyes were as calm as ever, yet as deep as a starry sky, as if he could see through everything. At this moment, Agula discovered that the fire of hatred that had been burning in his heart for a long time had quietly been extinguished at some point. Instead, she felt a feeling she had never experienced before. It was a kind of awe that came from the depths of the soul. Her lips moved, but no sound came out, and there was only endless confusion in her eyes. Chapter 421 Willing to Be a Hawkdog Looking at Agula’s distraught appearance, Lin Xiao’s face remained calm. He squatted down, his eyes level with hers. “I’ll give you two choices.” His voice was calm without any fluctuation, but it carried an irresistible power. “First, I will continue to be your prisoner. I will provide you with good food and drink. I will keep you well fed and well fed. You will still be the princess of the grassland, a vase placed in the palace, a symbol of my military achievements.” Agula’s body suddenly stiffened, and a trace of humiliation and anger flashed in his pupils. Lin Xiao ignored him and continued to talk about the second option. “Second, become my woman.” When these four words came out, Agula looked up in astonishment, her eyes full of disbelief. She thought she had misheard. Lin Xiao’s lips curled up slightly, and that smile contained a hint of playfulness, but more of it was absolute control. “Submit to me, willingly. In return, I can let you pick up your scimitar and mount your warhorse again. Zhenbei State has recruited tens of thousands of surrendered grassland soldiers. They are unruly and need someone who truly understands them to lead them. I can hand this cavalry to you, allowing you to gallop across the grasslands for me and serve Zhenbei State.” boom! It was as if thousands of thunders exploded in Agula’s head at the same time, making her dizzy and her ears buzzing. Let her… lead a cavalry? Let her return to the familiar grassland? This man, isn’t he afraid that he can turn against us with his own strength? How dare he? She stared at Lin Xiao’s eyes, trying to find a hint of temptation or uneasiness in those deep pupils. But no. Nothing. There was only a calm lake, bottomless, as if nothing in the world could cause a ripple in it. At this moment, Agula suddenly understood. It’s not that he’s not afraid, it’s that he doesn’t care at all. In his eyes, he and the tens of thousands of grassland cavalrymen were probably just like wooden swords in the hands of children, and posed no threat at all. This is a kind of self confidence that comes from absolute strength, and a kind of arrogance that treats all the heroes in the world as nothing. The flame of hope was suddenly ignited in her heart, which had long been like dead ashes. Mounting her warhorse again, listening to the wind whistling in her ears, feeling the earth shaking… that was the desire engraved in her bones, the whole meaning of her life. If you lose all this, what is the difference between living and being dead? Lin Xiao’s conditions, like the devil’s temptation, accurately hit the softest and most desired part of her heart. The strong prey on the weak, and the winner is king. This is the eternal truth of the grassland. Father Khan was defeated, and the grassland was defeated. And the man in front of him is the winner, the absolute king of this northern land. Submitting to the strong is the nature of the grassland people. Her heart was struggling frantically, time seemed to freeze at this moment, and the courtyard was so quiet that she could hear her own heartbeat like a drum. Lin Xiao did not urge her, but just looked at her quietly, with a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if he was admiring a wild horse that was about to be tamed and was making its last struggle. Finally, the struggle and unwillingness in Agula’s eyes slowly faded away, replaced by a kind of resignation and determination. She slowly lowered her knees and knelt in front of Lin Xiao. Then, her straight upper body slowly bent down, and her once extremely proud head, for the first time, willingly lowered deeply, and her smooth forehead lightly touched the cold ground. Her voice was very soft, with a hint of trembling and a pious tone, and she said word by word: “Agula… I am willing to die for the king and be his henchman!” This was the final collapse of her pride as a prairie princess. It was also her first time as a woman to completely submit to a man. [Ding! Agula Favorability: 5+15, Current Favorability: 20] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning a chance to win a prize! ] The system’s prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind, and a satisfied smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He reached out his hand and helped Agula, who was kneeling on the ground, up. Her body was still trembling slightly, and she didn’t dare to look up at him. “Very good, you made a wise choice.” Lin Xiao pinched her small chin, forced her to look up, and looked into her eyes. “Remember what you said today. Come to my bedroom tonight.” Agula’s face turned red all the way to his ears, like a ripe apple. Her long eyelashes trembled constantly, and finally, she lowered her eyes in shame and responded in an almost inaudible voice. “yes……” night. After Lin Xiao finished dealing with some urgent official business, he leaned back on the throne, feeling quite relaxed. Conquering Agula is not just about getting a woman. Behind her are the old forces of the entire grassland. Completely conquering her means that his rule over the grassland will be more stable. “System, draw a lottery!” He closed his eyes and recited silently in his heart. The familiar virtual roulette wheel reappeared, spinning rapidly, and the colorful icons were dazzling. Finally, in a flash of dazzling light, the pointer slowly stopped on an icon with a picture of an ancient machine. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining the “Sewing Machine Complete Technology”! ] Lin Xiao was stunned at first, and then a huge joy surged in his heart. Sewing machine! He immediately understood the value of this thing. In this era, sewing a piece of clothing depended entirely on women’s manual labor, stitch by stitch. Not only was it inefficient, but it was also extremely time consuming and energy consuming. Even a skilled woman would take several days to sew an ordinary cotton padded jacket. The emergence of sewing machines will completely change all this! Its efficiency is dozens or even hundreds of times that of manual work! This is not just about allowing people to wear more, better and cheaper clothes. It can liberate countless women from the tedious sewing work! They will have more time to engage in other production activities, to learn, and to create more value. This will be a great liberation of social productivity! Garment workshops will develop at an unprecedented rate, and the demand for fabrics will surge, thereby driving the planting and production of cotton, linen, and silk… This is a complete industrial chain! In Lin Xiao’s mind, a picture of the booming clothing industry in Zhenbei Country in the future has already emerged. This thing came just in time! Just as he was lost in thought, a slight sound of footsteps was heard outside the door. “Your Majesty, Agula has arrived at the bedroom.” It was the maid’s voice. “I see.” Putting his thoughts aside, Lin Xiao returned to his bedroom in a good mood. Chapter 422 Sewing Machine As soon as I stepped into the bedroom, I smelled a fresh fragrance mixed with milk and flower petals. In the bedroom, Agula had finished bathing and changed into a set of grassland style clothing specially prepared for her by Tuya. It was a long dress made of white tulle, with a bold and unrestrained cut that perfectly outlined her slender and fiery figure, which had been trained by years of horse riding and archery. Beneath the tulle, her skin was faintly visible, full of wild temptation. Her long, shiny black hair was not braided as usual, but casually draped over her shoulders, making her look less heroic and more feminine. This was the first time she officially slept with Lin Xiao as his woman. With a look of deep shame on her face, she nervously grasped the corners of her clothes with both hands , lowered her head, and did not dare to look at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao looked at her unscrupulously, and couldn’t help but secretly praise her in his heart. This wild horse on the grassland is so thrilling after taking off its armor. Agula felt his burning gaze and her body trembled slightly, and her cheeks turned even redder. She bit her lower lip, as if she had made up her mind, and slowly walked up to Lin Xiao. Then, she clumsily but firmly reached out her hand and began to undress Lin Xiao. Her movements were awkward, and her fingers were even a little stiff due to nervousness. Lin Xiao didn’t move, but just quietly enjoyed her service. He could clearly feel the incomparable pleasure of conquering such a proud and arrogant prairie princess. This is more exciting than killing ten thousand enemies on the battlefield. The next day, the warmth from last night was still lingering on the bed in the palace. Agula was still sleeping, and the stubbornness and sharpness of the past had faded from his heroic brows, replaced by a hint of laziness and gentleness, like a completely tamed cheetah. Lin Xiao had already stood up, feeling refreshed. He did not linger too much, as he was already thinking about the magical device that could completely liberate women’s hands. “Someone come.” Following his soft call, the maid immediately pushed the door open and came in, bowing and standing by. “Prepare the car and go to the textile workshop.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” The textile workshop, a relatively peaceful place in the past, welcomed a great god early this morning. The workshop manager and craftsmen knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation, not even daring to raise their heads. Lin Xiao’s prestige in Zhenbei Country has long been at its peak. His personal visit here made everyone feel a huge pressure. Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling them to get up, and then walked around the workshop on his own. He watched the women sitting in front of the looms, the shuttles moving back and forth, and he also watched the female workers on the other side, with their heads lowered, sewing military uniforms and cloth clothes stitch by stitch. Although their movements were fast, their efficiency was visibly low. “Where is Zhang Fuan?” Lin Xiao asked. The steward quickly replied, “Your Majesty, Lord Zhang went to the weapons workshop early this morning and said there’s a batch of new armor that needs his personal attention . I… I’ll send someone to get him.” “No need.” Lin Xiao shook his head. He knew Zhang Fuan’s obsession. “Let him do it. I’ll do it myself first.” He walked directly to a large, empty workbench and instructed the steward, “Bring me the best iron and copper, as well as a flat, hardwood board. Also, find a few of the most skilled blacksmiths and carpenters to command me.” The manager did not dare to delay and ran to make arrangements. Lin Xiao picked up a piece of charcoal and began to draw on a huge piece of white linen cloth based on the extremely clear knowledge in his mind. Not long after, Zhang Fuan, who was glaring at a pile of newly baked steel plates in the weapons workshop, received the news that the king was coming to the textile workshop in person. “What? The king went to the textile workshop?” Zhang Fuan was stunned, and the hammer in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. What was the king doing there? Could it be… A thought flashed through Zhang Fuan’s mind like lightning. His eyes widened instantly and his breathing became rapid. Divine object! The king is going to tinker with a new magical object again! He didn’t care about his armor at all. He rolled up his trouser legs, threw his arms wide, and rushed towards the textile workshop like a wild bull that had found a new toy at the speed of a 100 meter sprint. When he rushed into the workshop, panting and sweating, what he saw was a scene that made his blood boil. The king was standing in front of the huge sackcloth, holding charcoal, with a focused expression. The linen was covered with lines and figures that he could not understand at all, but which he thought were extremely exquisite. The strange parts, gears, connecting rods, crankshafts… the complexity of the structure and the ingenious design made him dazzled and intoxicated. “Your Majesty…” Zhang Fuan ran out of breath, his face flushed red, and he was so excited that he couldn’t speak clearly. “You…you are…” Lin Xiao looked back at him and smiled: “You’ve come just in time, take a look at this.” Zhang Fuan crawled over and stared at the drawings with shining eyes. “What…what is this? Why is it so…so exquisite?” He pointed to a part with a long and thin needle attached to it on the drawing and asked stutteringly. “Sewing machine.” Lin Xiao uttered three words lightly. He pointed at the part and explained to Zhang Fuan, who had fallen into a frenzy, “Look here, it’s a machine needle. The eye of the needle is not at the tail, but at the tip.” “The eye of the needle is at the tip of the needle?” Zhang Fuan exclaimed. This completely overturned his decades of cognition. “That’s right.” Lin Xiao pointed to another complex linkage device. “This is the shuttle. It will work with the needle to hook the upper thread with the lower thread under the fabric to form a stitch. And this presser foot is responsible for pressing the fabric tightly to ensure even stitches. The power comes from here…” His fingers finally landed on a hand crank. Zhang Fuan listened with fascination, and every word was like a bolt of thunder, striking his brain. Although he still couldn’t fully understand how this thing worked, he knew that once it was created, it would definitely be an earth shattering event! “Let’s get started.” Lin Xiao didn’t explain any more and directly picked up the hammer. “Start with the most critical needle and shuttle.” In the following time, the core area of the entire textile workshop was completely cleared. No one was allowed to approach except Lin Xiao, Zhang Fuan, and a few selected top craftsmen. “Dang! Dang! Dang!” Lin Xiao personally wielded the hammer, repeatedly forging a piece of fine iron. Sparks flew everywhere, his expression focused. Every strike of the hammer was struck with force and angle as precise as if calculated. The most difficult part is the small needle. It is easy to imagine how difficult it is to make a hole in the tip of a steel needle as thin as an ox hair that can pass through the silk thread without affecting the ability to pierce the fabric. Several experienced craftsmen tried several times, but each ended in failure. In the end, it was Lin Xiao who held his breath and succeeded in one go under everyone’s gaze. Chapter 423 Freeing Your Hands With the most critical parts in place, the rest will go much more smoothly. Under Lin Xiao’s full guidance, Zhang Fuan led the craftsmen to work day and night to turn pieces of metal and wood into precision parts. Three days later. A machine with a simple shape but full of industrial beauty is quietly placed on the workbench. It consists of a black cast iron body and a thick wooden base, the body is full of gears and connecting rods, and a hand cranked wooden handle is installed on one side. “It’s done…” Zhang Fuan stretched out his hand tremblingly and gently stroked the cold fuselage, as if he was touching a priceless treasure, his eyes moist. Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. This hand cranked sewing machine, which was the result of everyone’s hard work, was even better than he had imagined. He stood up and ordered the soldiers outside, “Go, call Sister Lin and Aunt Wang over.” Soon, Sister Lin, Aunt Wang, sisters Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi, Zhang Wanqing and others were called over. The women, with their jewelry jingling and fragrance in their hair, walked into the workshop filled with the smell of engine oil and iron filings, all of them feeling curious and puzzled. “Husband, what did you ask us to do here?” Yan Ruoxi was the most lively. She looked around curiously, pinched her nose, and frowned playfully, “It smells so strong here.” Yan Ruotong was much more steady. When she saw Lin Xiao and Zhang Fuan standing in front of the workbench, looking tired but unable to hide their excitement, she knew that some new gadget must have been created. Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang were a little reserved. They stood quietly aside, their gentle gazes falling on Lin Xiao. “Come here, let me show you something good.” Lin Xiao smiled and waved at them, then moved aside to reveal the strange machine lying quietly on the wooden board. “What’s this?” All the women gathered around and looked at the black lump of iron curiously. It has a strange shape, with a body, wheels, and a long, shiny needle at the tip. It exudes an indescribable weirdness no matter how you look at it. “What is this lump of iron used for?” Yan Ruoxi couldn’t help but stretch out her jade finger and carefully poked the cold fuselage. Lin Xiao did not answer directly. Instead, he picked up two pieces of cut cloth and skillfully placed them under the thin needle. Then he put down a metal piece that looked like a little foot and pressed the cloth tightly. The women were all confused. Under everyone’s curious gaze, Lin Xiao grasped the wooden crank on the side of the machine and gently turned it. “Da da…da da da…” A crisp and rhythmic sound of metal collision was heard. It was not loud, but it instantly attracted everyone’s attention. They were horrified to see that as Lin Xiao shook the handle, the thin needle rose and fell at a speed that was difficult to capture with the naked eye, and each time it fell, it pierced into the fabric accurately. The cloth pressed by the presser foot seemed to have life and moved forward little by little. However, after just a dozen breaths, Lin Xiao stopped. He picked up the cloth and showed it to everyone. I saw that the two pieces of cloth had been sewn together, and a straight, even, and fine seam was perfectly presented to everyone. The stitches were so neat that even the best embroiderer in the palace might not be able to achieve such perfection even if she spent several hours slowly tracing them! “this……” The entire workshop fell into silence in an instant. All the women widened their eyes, their red lips slightly parted, and disbelief was written all over their pretty faces. Yan Ruoxi rubbed her eyes exaggeratedly, thinking that she was seeing things. “Oh my god…” Yan Ruotong was the first to come back to her senses. She quickly stepped forward and took the cloth from Lin Xiao’s hand. Her slender jade fingers gently stroked the perfect seam, her voice filled with shock, “Husband, this… was this piece of iron made?” “It’s called a sewing machine.” Lin Xiao said with a smile. boom! This name, along with the miraculous scene before their eyes, exploded like a thunderbolt in the hearts of the girls. They are all women who are used to doing needlework, how could they not understand what this thing means? On weekdays, it would take them one or two days to sew a piece of clothing for their children or husbands, even the simplest undergarment. Sitting under the dim oil lamp, sewing needle by needle, it takes a lot of energy, makes eyes sore, back aches, and fingers pricked by needles are commonplace. But what about now? The speed just now… was dozens of times faster than them sewing by hand! “Brother Lin Xiao…can…can I try?” Mrs. Lin’s voice trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes. She recalled the countless nights when, after her daughters Qiong Qiong and Youning had gone to bed, she would sit up all night sewing little cotton padded jackets for the children for the winter. “sure.” Lin Xiao pulled her to the sewing machine and taught her step by step how to thread the needle and how to operate it. Mrs. Lin’s hands were shaking a little. She clumsily imitated Lin Xiao, put the cloth in place, and then tentatively shook the handle. “Da da da…” When that familiar, magical voice sounded again, and when she saw the cloth being sewn rapidly in her hands, Mrs. Lin could no longer control her emotions. Crystal clear tears rolled down her still charming cheeks and hit the cold fuselage. Too fast… It’s really too fast! With it, you can make several clothes in a day! With it, you no longer have to stay up late until your eyes are dizzy! With it, women can save a lot of time and do more things! This is not a piece of iron at all, it is clearly a divine tool that the king uses to show his care for women all over the world! “Sister in law, why are you crying?” Seeing this, Yan Ruoxi hurried forward to comfort her. “I… I’m happy…” Sister Lin wiped her tears, crying and laughing, “Ruoxi, come and try it, it really is… It really feels like a dream!” At this moment, all the women were completely excited. “I want to try! Husband, teach me!” “And me! And me!” The women chattered around the sewing machine, like children discovering a new world, with the same light in their eyes. It was a light mixed with excitement, admiration, love and fanaticism. They looked at the man who had created this miracle, and their hearts were already filled with endless tenderness and admiration. This man was not only able to create national treasures such as trains and telephones, but was also considerate enough to bring such earth shaking changes to women like these who toiled with needlework all day long. He understood their hard work and felt sorry for their efforts. This understanding and heartache can touch the softest part of their hearts better than any sweet words. [Ding! Sister Lin’s favorability increased by +5, current favorability: 98] [Ding! Aunt Wang’s Favorability +5, Current Favorability: 99] [Ding! Yan Ruotong’s favorability increased by 5, current favorability: 99] [Ding! Yan Ruoxi’s favorability increased by 5, current favorability: 99] [Ding! Zhang Wanqing’s favorability +5, current favorability: 97] A series of system prompts sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind, making the smile on his face even wider. Chapter 424: The Thread in the Hands of a Loving Mother Seeing that everyone was still gathered around the sewing machine, Lin Xiao clapped his hands to attract everyone’s attention. “Okay, stop fighting over it. This is just the first one.” Lin Xiao turned his gaze to Zhang Fuan, who was already trembling with excitement. “Fuan.” “Your Majesty, I’m here!” Zhang Fuan shuddered, straightened his back, and spoke in a loud voice. “I’ve decided to set up a sewing machine factory immediately.” Lin Xiao’s voice was low, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly. “You are fully responsible. Mass produce this thing as quickly as possible.” Zhang Fuan’s breathing suddenly became rapid and his face turned red, not because of tiredness, but because of excitement. Another new factory, another divine object to pass through his hands, spread throughout the entire Zhenbei Kingdom! What an honor! “After mass production,” Lin Xiao continued, “a portion will be sold to the people of the kingdom at cost price, or even at a subsidized price. I hope that in the near future, every family in Zhenbei Kingdom will own a sewing machine.” After hearing these words, Mrs. Lin and Aunt Wang’s eyes became red again. The king not only created the artifact, but also made it available to all ordinary people. This was a thoughtful gesture that was very significant. “The other part,” Lin Xiao’s eyes grew sharper, “will be concentrated on supplying the newly established garment factory. I demand that, in the shortest possible time, all our troops and schools across the country be uniformed! I want our soldiers to wear the most fitted and durable military uniforms, and our children to wear the neatest and most stylish school uniforms!” “Yes! Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan practically shouted. He used all his strength and nodded heavily. “Your Majesty! I promise to complete the mission! I will never let Your Majesty down!” He looked at the sewing machine with a fanatical glint in his eyes. In the following days, the entire Zhenbei Kingdom was once again swept by a construction boom. Under the leadership of Zhang Fuan, the sewing machine factory sprang up at an astonishing speed, and the first batch of sewing machines hand made by skilled craftsmen were soon sent to major counties. At first, the men didn’t quite understand why their wives had to spend money to buy such a strange thing. But when they saw that the clothes that usually needed mending for several days could be made brand new in just one stick of incense by turning the handle of the woman, all the men shut up. When they looked at the sewing machine again, their eyes were filled with awe. Gradually, owning a sewing machine became the most proud and boastful thing among the women of Zhenbei Country. When chatting about gossip about other people’s families, the topic always unconsciously turns to the sewing machine. “Hey, Sister in law Li, have you heard? The Wang family’s wife also asked someone to buy a sewing machine from the county town yesterday. She treasures it like a big deal and even moves it next to her bed every night.” “Of course not! With that thing, I can mend all the holes my husband and baby have in a month in one day, and I still have plenty of time to mend shoes and feed the chickens and pigs. I never dared to think about that before. I had to sew and mend by the oil lamp as soon as it got dark, and it made my eyes blurry.” “Who says it’s not? My husband waited in line for ages to get the one at my house. He said, ‘The king is truly a god. He even thinks of us women’s hard work.'” Women were completely liberated from the tedious and repetitive needlework. They have more time to take care of housework and educate their children. Some of them who are more skillful have even started using sewing machines to do some mending work to increase their family income. The spiritual outlook of the entire kingdom was completely renewed as a result. There are more smiles on women’s faces and fewer family conflicts. An unprecedented sense of happiness and belonging is quietly growing in every family. In this atmosphere, Zhenbei Daily would naturally not miss this excellent publicity opportunity. The front page of the new issue of the newspaper published an article in eye catching large fonts. The title is very poetic and impactful “The thread in the hands of a loving mother, the loom is returned in one day.” The newspaper used the simplest language to describe the tremendous changes that sewing machines brought to thousands of households. From a mother’s perspective, it tells how she was freed from the tedious needlework, and had more time to accompany and educate her children, making the family more harmonious and warm. At the end of the article, the king’s profound meaning is pointed out: liberating women’s hands is to liberate half of the productivity and make every family full of vitality. This is the foundation for the growing prosperity of Zhenbei Kingdom. This report once again ignited the pride and sense of belonging among the people of Zhenbei. However, when these newspapers flowed into the territory of Da Zhou through various channels, they caused completely different reactions. In an ordinary house in the capital. Li’s wife was mending the cut on her husband’s knee under the dim light of an oil lamp. Her lower abdomen was slightly bulging, and her back and waist ached from bending over for a long time. Fine beads of sweat oozed from her forehead. “Oh, when will this day end…” She sighed and rubbed her sore eyes. At this moment, her husband, Li Er, who worked in the government office, took out a crumpled newspaper from his arms with a mysterious look on his face. “Look, I just got it today. It’s from the north.” Li’s wife took it curiously and read it word by word in the light. When she saw the eye catching headline and the life of the women in Zhenbeiguo described in the newspaper, her hands began to tremble slightly. Reading further, I read about the women of Zhenbei Country. Thanks to a magical device called a “sewing machine,” they saved time to go to school, work in workshops, and even had time to dress themselves up… A mixture of envy, jealousy and grievance instantly surged into her heart. “Why!” She couldn’t hold it in any longer and threw the tattered clothes in her hand onto the table, tears falling down her face. “Why do they live such a comfortable life? What about us? I’m pregnant and I have to stay up late to sew clothes for you! This life is unbearable!” Li Er was startled and looked at his wife in bewilderment, mumbling, “You…why are you crying…that’s Zhenbei Country, what does it have to do with us…” “Why is it okay?” the Li family’s wife cried out, “We are all common people. Why should Lin Xiao think that ordinary people can live a good life and women can live without suffering? What about our emperor? Besides working with wood, what else can he do?” Li Er was so frightened that he quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth. “My dear aunt, you are going to kill yourself! How can you say such things casually?” Li’s wife sobbed, pushed his hand away, lay on the table, and cried even more sadly. Such a scene was quietly played out on countless nights throughout the land of the Great Zhou. The scale of public opinion is completely tilting towards the north with an irreversible trend amid the “clacking” sound of the loom. Chapter 425: Despair Capital city, imperial palace, Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan sat upright in front of the window, holding a copy of the Zhenbei Daily in his hand. Her eyes fell on the sewing machine pattern that took up half of the page, and she didn’t move her eyes away for a long time. Next to the picture is a detailed text description, describing how this item can increase clothing production efficiency a hundredfold and how it can liberate women all over the world from tedious needlework. Her hands were trembling slightly. As the queen, she had everything she needed, and she didn’t even need to mend her clothes herself. But the years in the deep palace were so long. In order to dispel the endless emptiness and loneliness, she devoted all her energy to embroidery. Stitch by stitch, she embroiders birds paying homage to the phoenix and beautiful mountains and rivers. Those priceless and exquisitely crafted embroideries are proof of her talent, but they are also her only way to relieve her sadness. But now, this “sewing machine” in the newspaper told her in a rough and direct way how pale and powerless her skills, which she was proud of, were in the face of the real people’s livelihood. Lin Xiao wanted to use this thing to relieve women from toil. And she was just using needle and thread to embroider more gorgeous patterns on her golden cage. A deep, powerless feeling of sadness spread from the depths of my heart. “Bang!” The door of the bedroom was suddenly pushed open, and a figure rushed in, breaking the silence in the room. Li Yan’s face was ashen, his eyes full of irritability and anger. He was still wearing casual carpentry clothes, with sawdust on his cuffs, and it was obvious that he had just come from his “imperial workshop”. “Damn mortise and tenon! They just don’t fit together!” He cursed and kicked over the incense burner beside the door. The copper burner rolled to the ground and the incense ash spread all over the floor. The palace maids were so frightened that they fell to their knees and trembled. Li Yan’s eyes swept around the hall, finally settling on Liu Weilan by the window and the out of place newspaper in her hand. He rushed over and snatched the newspaper. When Li Yan saw the eye catching words “Zhenbei Daily” on the front page and the article that praised Lin Xiao’s achievements, his anger was instantly ignited. “It’s him again! That peasant again!” He screamed like a cat whose tail was stepped on. “Why are you looking at this too?” “Swish!” With a crisp sound, the newspaper that carried the envy and yearning of countless people in the Great Zhou was torn into two halves in his hands. “Swish! Swish!” Li Yan was still not satisfied, and he tore the newspaper into pieces with his hands frantically. Confetti flew all over the sky like snowflakes, and landed in front of Liu Weilan and at her feet. “Traitor! Traitorous thing!” Li Yan pointed at Liu Weilan’s nose, spit flying everywhere. “Liu Weilan! You are the Queen of the Great Zhou! My wife! And yet you actually look at this traitorous filth every day! What? Do you also think that peasant is better than me?” His words became increasingly harsh and unbearable to the ears. “Who the hell is Lin Xiao? He’s just a country bumpkin who got lucky! How can he get away with meddling in my kingdom? Have you been blinded by his little tricks? Huh?!” Facing her husband’s hysterical roars and insults, there was not a single ripple on Liu Weilan’s face. No anger, no grievance, not even sadness. She just looked at him quietly. Her eyes, which were once as clear as water, were now as calm as a pool of stagnant water. They reflected his twisted and ugly face, but could not stir up a ripple. It’s like a dead heart, that’s what it’s like. Li Yan cursed for a long time, but seeing that Liu Weilan remained silent, his lifeless look made him feel like he had punched cotton, making him even more irritated and depressed. “Shameless!” He cursed fiercely at last, flicked his sleeves, turned around and strode away. “Bang!” The palace door was slammed shut again, leaving the floor in a mess and the lonely figure standing in front of the window. For a long, long time. Liu Weilan slowly squatted down, stretched out her slender fingers, and gently picked up the largest piece of paper from the scraps on the ground. On it, there was a part of the sewing machine pattern, a delicate machine head. She held the piece of paper tightly in her palm, her nails digging deep into her flesh, but she was completely unaware. Finally, she slowly stood up, walked to the window and looked towards the distant north. That’s the direction of Zhenbei Kingdom. The man’s figure appeared uncontrollably in her mind. He took himself to experience trains and telephones, and he told himself confidently that the world would be his sooner or later. He seems to be always creating incredible miracles. But her husband, the emperor of the Great Zhou, would speak ill of her just because he couldn’t make a wooden toy properly. An almost inaudible sigh escaped her lips and dissipated into the cold air. In stark contrast to the dead silence and oppression of the imperial palace in the capital, on the outskirts of Beiping County in Zhenbei Kingdom, a vast parade ground was bustling with activity and filled with murderous intent. Thousands of cavalrymen were training, their horses’ hooves flying, raising clouds of dust, and their uniform shouts reaching the sky. What is different is that although these cavalrymen are wearing grassland clothing, their formation is extremely strict, and the loose bandit spirit on their bodies has long been replaced by iron discipline. On the high platform of the parade ground, a female general dressed in the black tights of the Zhenbei Kingdom was holding a horsewhip and scanning the troops below with lightning like eyes. It was Agula. She had changed out of the cumbersome prairie dress and into a smart black military uniform that perfectly outlined her agile and fiery figure. Her long hair was tied up into a high ponytail, which made her look less girlish and more heroic. “Team three! Your turn is too slow! Have you all skipped meals? Try again! If you don’t do well, no one will get any food today!” Her voice was clear and commanding, echoing throughout the entire training ground. Upon hearing this, the general of that team turned pale and did not dare to be negligent in the slightest. He immediately shouted orders and resumed the drill. Agula has regained his former commanding style, and is even more adept than before. But the arrogance and rebelliousness between her brows that belonged to a prairie princess had faded away, replaced by an unprecedented calmness and concentration. At this moment, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure slowly walking towards the entrance of the training ground. Agula’s heart trembled, and she reacted almost subconsciously. She immediately jumped off the horse, moved quickly and decisively, and walked quickly to meet him. When she was three steps away from Lin Xiao, she stopped, clenched her right fist, pounded it hard on her left chest, and bowed and performed a standard Zhenbei Kingdom military salute. “Your Majesty!” She raised her head and looked at Lin Xiao. There was no longer any hatred and unwillingness in her eyes, only a kind of conviction and awe that came from the heart. Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction, and looked past her at the cavalry of surrendered grassland soldiers that she had trained well. This most proud horse on the grassland has now become the sharpest scimitar in his hand. Chapter 426 The Return of the Fiery Horse “Get up.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm. “You’ve practiced well.” Agula stood up and bowed his head, saying, “I don’t deserve your praise, Your Majesty. It’s all thanks to your wise management of the army and the soldiers’ dedication.” She has learned the humility of the Zhenbei generals, but the heroic spirit in her words has not diminished in the slightest. Lin Xiao nodded, walked slowly to her, and looked towards the distant north, where there was an endless grassland. “The problems on the grassland will eventually be solved by the grassland people. These surrendered soldiers will be handed over to you from now on.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting Agula’s heart hard. She looked up suddenly, her eyes full of disbelief. The command of thousands of surrendered soldiers from the grassland was just handed over to me, a former prisoner? Lin Xiao ignored her shock and continued, “Just go for it. The entire Zhenbei Kingdom is your backer.” This is no longer trust; the future of the entire grassland rests on her shoulders. Agula’s breathing became rapid and her chest heaved violently. Before she could digest this shocking news, Lin Xiao dropped another bombshell that completely stunned her. He waved behind him. A captain of the imperial guards stepped forward, followed by a hundred soldiers. Each of them was tall and straight, with sharp eyes. They wore specially made black leather armor and carried a peculiar pistol at their waist, completely different from the standard muskets used by the Zhenbei army. “This is a new type of repeating musket. It doesn’t require reloading with gunpowder pellets each time. It can fire ten rounds at a time.” Lin Xiao pointed at the soldiers. “This hundred man guard will be under your direct command from now on. They will only take orders from you.” Agula’s breathing suddenly stopped. She stared intently at the guards, then suddenly looked up at Lin Xiao. Her beautiful eyes were first filled with shock, then flooded with a surge of excitement and gratitude. Rapid fire musketry! What a magical artifact this is! A scalding heat rushed from the bottom of her heart to the top of her head, instantly destroying the last bit of pride and reserve that belonged to a prairie princess in her heart. She understood. This is trust, but also a test! It tests whether she can let go of the past, whether she can truly regard herself as a sharp weapon to defend the Northern Kingdom and expand the territory for the king! “thump!” Agula knelt heavily on his knees, and the hard bluestone slabs made a dull sound. She raised her head, and in those beautiful eyes that had once fascinated and awed countless men on the grassland, there was now burning with excitement, gratitude, and an almost fanatical admiration. “Your Majesty!” Her voice trembled slightly with excitement. “Agula…Agula understands!” She kowtowed heavily, her forehead touching the ground. “Agula swears hereby that he will raz the grasslands for the king and bring all the rebellious tribes into submission! If he breaks this oath in this lifetime, he will be punished by heaven and earth!” The voice was sonorous and resounding, echoing in the empty training ground. Lin Xiao looked at her with satisfaction, a barely perceptible curve at the corner of his mouth. He turned around and walked away slowly. Agula stood up slowly, with a solemn look on her pretty face. She turned around suddenly and strode towards her army. Her resolute back was like a scimitar drawn from its sheath, carrying unprecedented conviction and sharpness. Looking at the prairie horse that had been completely tamed and even become sharper, Lin Xiao smiled with satisfaction. A few days later, they arrived at the county town of Zhenbei. The newly built public canteen was bustling with people and hot. The men who had just finished work at the construction site, holding large bowls bigger than their faces, crowded around the long wooden table with rosy faces, gobbling down their food in big mouthfuls. Wang Tiezhu and his son Wang Gousheng were also among them. Wang Tiezhu picked up a piece of trembling braised pork, which was fat and lean, and had a glossy sauce. He stuffed it into his mouth and squinted his eyes with happiness. “Oh… smells good! It smells so damn good!” He mumbled incoherently, his mouth full of oil. He picked up the bowl, took a gulp of the broth provided free of charge in the cafeteria, and breathed a sigh of relief. “This day is really like a fairy tale.” Wang Tiezhu was filled with emotion, and tears welled up in his turbid eyes. “Back in the day, when I was building riverbanks for the Great Zhou Dynasty, let alone meat, all we got were bran cakes with sand in them. They scratched my throat, and my shit was like sand. I worked from morning till night, exhausted as a dead dog, and still couldn’t get enough to eat.” As he spoke, he picked up another piece of meat, as if to make up for what he had not eaten enough in the past few decades. “Look now, building roads for the king. Not only do you get enough rice every day, but you also get meat every now and then. The wages you get paid every month are enough for your wife to buy a few feet of new cloth for clothes. It’s worth it, this life, it’s really fucking worth it!” Wang Gousheng was laughing at the side, the meat in his bowl had piled up into a small mountain. “Dad, you’re right. There’s more to it than that.” Wang Gousheng swallowed a mouthful of rice and pointed with his chopsticks towards something not far away. “Listen.” A clear and childish sound of reading was floating out from a blue brick and tile house next door. “Man is born good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different…” Wang Gousheng’s face was filled with unconcealable pride and pride. “That’s the school built by the king, and our Hu Zi is in it.” He lowered his voice, but couldn’t hide his excitement. “The king said that all children in our Zhenbei Kingdom, regardless of gender, can go to school for free! Not only do they learn to read and arithmetic, but they also get a hot lunch!” Speaking of this, Wang Gousheng’s eyes turned red. Thanks to the king, he was able to marry a wife and have a big fat boy. “Dad, tell me, this blessing is a blessing! Is it true that smoke is rising from the graves of our Wang family’s ancestors? We can finally have a literate scholar! This is something our ancestors haven’t hoped for in several lifetimes!” Wang Tiezhu was completely speechless. He stared blankly at the classroom where the sound of reading could be heard, and the chopsticks in his hand were shaking as he listened to the sentences that he could not understand but felt were extremely sacred. He seemed to see his grandson, wearing clean and tidy clothes, sitting in a bright room, shaking his head and reading with the teacher. In the future, he will be able to read and do accounting, and he will no longer be like himself and his father, who were blind all their lives and didn’t even know when they were cheated. “Yes…” After a long while, Wang Tiezhu finally squeezed out two words from his throat, his voice hoarse, “It is a blessing given by the king.” He picked up the large bowl, shoveled the remaining rice and broth into his mouth, and then slammed the bowl down on the table. “Come on, Gousheng, now that you’re full, let’s get back to work! We have to work harder and repair the road to the south as soon as possible, so that the people in the south who are still suffering can sooner live a good life like us!” “Okay, Dad!” The father and son wiped their mouths, walked out of the cafeteria full of energy, and joined the construction site where the work was in full swing. Chapter 427: Display of Divine Power Zhenbei Kingdom, Beiping County. At the most prosperous intersection in the county town, a small blue brick building has been newly erected. Hanging at the door is a plaque with gold letters on a black background “Zhenbei Telegraph Office”. At this moment, the small building was surrounded by three layers of people, all craning their necks to look inside. “Old Zhao, why are you pushing so hard? What did you see?” A fat and bloated silk merchant wiped his sweat and stood on tiptoe with difficulty. The grain merchant, known as Lao Zhao, had a look of mystery and shock on his face. He lowered his voice and said, “What do you know? I just heard from the officials inside that this is called a telegraph, a magical new gadget invented by the king. Over there on the grassland, thousands of miles away, any news can be transmitted to us in half a day!” “Half a day?!” The silk merchant’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “You’re bragging! Even if we galloped day and night, it would still take us ten days or half a month!” “Why would I lie to you?” Old Zhao puffed out his chest in disbelief. “This is called a miracle! How can mortals like you and I fathom the king’s methods? Think about the train, think about the telephone. What’s impossible?” When the people around heard this, they nodded one after another, with a look of enthusiasm and pride on their faces. Just then, a young official in uniform walked out of the telegraph office. He cleared his throat, holding a small piece of paper in his hand, and stood on the platform at the door. “Fellow villagers, please be quiet!” The noisy crowd suddenly quieted down, and everyone’s eyes were focused on him. “The king has commanded us to celebrate with the people! We are reporting the latest victory reports from the grassland front!” The young official’s voice was loud and proud. He unfolded the slip of paper and read aloud: “General Agula of Dingyuan of Zhenbei Kingdom launched another attack yesterday! He killed the enemy chiefs in battle, captured 3,000, captured 50,000 cattle and sheep, and 3,000 war horses! All the spoils are being continuously transported back to the kingdom, enriching the treasury and subsidizing the people!” After a brief silence, thunderous cheers broke out from the crowd! “Long live the king!!” “General Agula is mighty!” “Hahaha, more cattle and sheep have arrived! Our lives are getting better and better!” The people’s faces were filled with heartfelt joy and pride. They didn’t understand what the righteousness of family and country was, but they knew that if they followed Lin Xiao, they would have meat to eat, new clothes to wear, their children could go to school, and they would have hope for the future. This most simple happiness has made their admiration for the King of the North deeply rooted in their bones. In stark contrast to the jubilation in Zhenbei Kingdom, deep in the grassland, the wind was howling and the atmosphere was solemn. On a withered yellow grassland, three thousand cavalrymen were lined up in a black mass, full of murderous intent. The leader was a burly man, as big as a bear, with a full beard. He was Tulu, the last leader of a large tribe on the grassland who dared to openly resist Lin Xiao. His eyes were fixed on the strictly disciplined camp with clear flags not far away. In front of the camp, what was flying was not the wolf head flag of the grassland tribe, but the royal flag of the Zhenbei Kingdom with a black background and a golden dragon. Tulu’s eyes were blazing with fire. He urged his horse forward a few steps and roared at the camp with all his strength: “Agula! You traitor to the grassland! You shameless woman!” His voice echoed far in the fierce wind: “Altan Khan treated you well, and the grasslands raised you! Yet you are willing to serve as a lackey for a man from the Central Plains! You even turned your knife around and attacked your own compatriots! Are you worthy of Changshengtian? Do you still have the nerve to call yourself a daughter of the grasslands?” The angry curses were unbearable to hear, and the cavalry behind him also joined in the noise, with foul language heard everywhere. In front of the camp, Agula, dressed in black, stood quietly in front of the formation. Behind her were the surrendered soldiers from the grassland who were also in strict formation, but their eyes were no longer as casual as before, but were instead iron like and silent. There was no expression on Agula’s face in response to Tulu’s scolding. His eyes, which were once as bright as stars, were now as cold as the surface of a lake on the grassland in winter. She looked at Tulu, who was jumping up and down in front of the formation like a clown, as if she was looking at a dead person. To Tulu, her silence seemed cowardly and guilty. “Hahaha!” Tulu laughed wildly. “What? I hit the nail on the head, and you have nothing to say? Today, I’m going to clean up the mess on the grassland and kill you, you bitch!” He suddenly drew the scimitar from his waist, raised it high, and prepared to order a charge. Just then, Agula moved. She didn’t draw her sword, nor did she roar. She just slowly raised her right hand. Behind her, the hundred man guards who had been silent all this time suddenly moved in unison. They raised their peculiarly shaped black pistols in a rhythm so uniform that it was heart pounding. That is not the standard musket of the Zhenbei Army. Tulu’s laughter stopped abruptly. He looked at the black muzzles of the guns and felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. But he didn’t have time to think about it. The pride of being the lord of the grassland made him suppress this uneasiness. “kill!” He roared and swung his scimitar. Three thousand cavalrymen, like a flood breaking through a dam, let out earth shaking shouts and charged towards Agula’s camp. The sound of horse hooves was like thunder, and the earth was shaking. Faced with this offensive that was enough to crush everything, Agula’s expression remained unchanged. She simply raised her right hand and gently waved it downwards. “Da da da da da—” A dense, terrifying sound, like the roar of death, which had never been heard on the grassland, suddenly exploded! One hundred muskets spewed out deadly tongues of fire at the same time, and dense bullets intertwined in the air to form an invisible net of death, instantly enveloping Tulu and his most elite guards who were rushing in the front. “Puff! Puff! Puff!” Blood flowers bloomed brilliantly like fireworks in the charging formation. The ferocity and arrogance on Tulu’s face were frozen forever. He only felt that his chest, abdomen, and head were pierced fiercely by countless red hot iron rods. The huge kinetic energy instantly turned him and the horse under him into two bloody sieves. He fell heavily to the ground, both man and horse, without even uttering a scream. In the torrent of charging horses, he was trampled into mud by the following horses’ hooves. Behind him, dozens of his bravest guards suffered the same fate. Their leather armor was torn to shreds as easily as paper. Men and horses were thrown to the ground, and blood dyed the withered grass red. The remaining 3,000 grassland cavalrymen, who were so murderous and arrogant just now, were all dumbfounded at this moment. The warhorses beneath their crotches felt the fear deep in their masters’ souls, neighing restlessly and digging at the blood soaked soil. Some timid cavalrymen’s legs went weak and they rolled off their horses, lying on the ground in a miserable state, shaking like fallen leaves in the autumn wind. The expressions on their faces were confusion, horror, and the most primitive fear when facing the completely incomprehensible power of gods and demons. What’s going on? Where is Chief Tulu? What about the hundreds of bravest pioneers? Why…why did they disappear after just a burst of strange, intense noises? He wasn’t hacked to death by a knife, nor was he pierced by an arrow, but… he was simply beaten into a bloody mist and minced meat all over the ground. This is no longer a war, this is a massacre. No, it’s a punishment from heaven! Chapter 428 His Power At this moment, Agula’s heart was being swept by an unprecedented wave of trembling and ecstasy. She felt the faint smell of gunpowder lingering in the air after the hundred rapid fire muskets had spewed out bullets, and felt the violent beating of her own heart. It was these hundreds of black iron pipes that wiped out a charging cavalry in an instant. Is this his power? Agula’s body trembled slightly uncontrollably. It was not fear, but a tremor mixed with extreme pleasure and supreme awe. She remembered that when they were in the royal court, Lin Xiao asked her calmly, which one is the future, the grassland or here. She remembered Lin Xiao’s calm look when he handed this personal guard to her. It turned out that from the very beginning, he had never taken these so called heroes and elite cavalry on the grassland seriously. In his world, the rules of war have long been rewritten by him. The so called bravery and the so called riding and archery are nothing but a ridiculous and presumptuous joke in the face of such absolute power. At this moment, the thing called “faith” in Agula’s heart was reshaped. Conquering can be so simple. Killing can be so efficient. She finally understood. Rather than saying that Lin Xiao gave her an army, it would be better to say that he gave her the power to punish on behalf of God. An unprecedented pleasure surged through my body, a thousand times more intense than galloping on horseback or shooting an eagle with a bow. She felt that she was not leading troops to fight, but carrying out God’s will. And that god is Lin Xiao. Agula took a deep breath, and the strong curve of his chest rose and fell violently. She slowly drove her horse forward and came to the front of the two armies. Her cold eyes swept across the faces on the opposite side that were twisted with fear. “The king has ordered.” Her voice was not loud, but it was like icicles in the cold winter, clearly piercing everyone’s ears. “Those who surrender will live.” “Those who resist will die.” After she finished speaking, she said no more and just watched quietly. After a brief moment of silence, a cavalryman closest to her seemed unable to bear the invisible pressure. He let out a strange cry and the scimitar in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. The sound seemed to be a signal. “Dang!” “Bang!” “Clang clang…” The crisp sound of metal falling to the ground came one after another and became one continuous sound. Thousands of grassland cavalry, as if all their strength and courage had been drained away, scrambled to throw their weapons to the ground, then dismounted in a clumsy but incredibly fast manner. “Plop! Plop! Plop!” They knelt on the ground, buried their foreheads deep in the blood soaked and dusty grass, and trembled like sieves. They offered the most humble respect in their lives to Agula, and even more so to the man behind her who created the divine punishment. For the next half month, the entire grassland trembled under the shadow of “Lin Xiao’s Heavenly Punishment”. Agula led her invincible army, sweeping across the grassland like a gust of wind that swept away everything. Often, before her vanguard scouts arrived, messengers from the tribe ahead would already be kneeling to greet them dozens of miles away, carrying cattle, sheep, and letters of surrender. There is no need to fight anymore. The fate of the Tulu tribe had spread to every tent through countless terrified mouths. People no longer called Agula “the traitor of the grassland”, but called her “the messenger of divine punishment” with awe. The endless stream of cattle and sheep, herds of horses, and mountains of furs and minerals formed a spectacular torrent that surged from the depths of the grasslands towards the heart of the Zhenbei Kingdom. In the market of Beiping County, the price of meat kept falling. “What? A pound of mutton only costs ten copper coins?!” Old Zhang, a silk merchant, almost fell out of his eyes when he saw the new price tag hung by the butcher. “Of course not!” Butcher Lao Wang chopped off a large lamb chop with one knife, his face flushed and his voice booming. “General Agula has won another great victory on the grassland! The cattle and sheep he sent back have almost filled the pastures outside the city! The higher ups have ordered that the price must be lowered so that all of us ordinary people can eat meat!” “Oh my goodness…” Old Zhang smacked his lips and touched the purse at his waist, “Give me five pounds! No, ten pounds! I’ll take it home to satisfy my wife and children!” “Okay!” Such scenes were played out in the markets of every county in Zhenbei State. The Zhenbei Kingdom’s treasury was piled high with furs, enough to provide the entire army with two winter coats and some left over. The fine horses brought from the grasslands were primarily supplied to the army, with the remainder being used by the public, greatly improving transportation efficiency. The entire Zhenbei Kingdom was like a war machine injected with powerful force. After devouring the wealth of the grassland, it burst out with even more vigorous vitality. And the source of all this points to that name. The people ate the delicious stew in their bowls and wore thick fur coats. In their hearts, they had nothing but gratitude and almost god like worship for the King of the North who sat in the capital. Following the king, there is indeed meat to eat. This principle is simple and practical. The backyard of the Zhenbei Palace was coated with a lazy golden hue by the afternoon sun. The lush green lawn was neatly trimmed, like a giant green carpet. Lin Xiao lay sprawled in the middle of the carpet, letting the little creatures crawl all over him. “Daddy is a mountain! I want to climb to the top!” Lin Rui used all his strength, kicked Lin Xiao’s belly with his short legs, and climbed up with all his might. Zhang Chengyu on the side followed suit, hugging Lin Xiao’s thighs and shouting, “Me too! Me too!” Lin Xiao laughed heartily and shook his body deliberately, causing the two little guys to exclaim and laugh even more happily. “Daddy, look, is it beautiful?” The eldest daughter Lin Xin held up a crookedly woven wreath and handed it to Lin Xiao like a treasure. Lin Xiao took it and solemnly put it on his head. He said seriously, “It looks good. This is the most beautiful flower crown made by our Xin’er.” Lin Xin received the praise, clapped her hands happily, and spun around on the grass. The younger Lin Nian and Lin Dingbei rolled around on the soft blanket, babbling to their heart’s content. Not far away, the kingdom’s two “divine beasts” were engaged in a fight that was completely unbecoming of divine beasts. The single horn on the black panther’s forehead shone with a warm luster in the sun, but at this moment it was holding a ball in its mouth and trotting proudly on the grass. In mid air, the golden feathers of the fur ball were like flowing golden light. It swooped down and grabbed the ball with its sharp claws. The black panther twisted its body nimbly to avoid the attack, then spread out its four hooves and ran wildly across the lawn. The fur balls were chasing each other at low altitude, one flying in the sky and the other running on the ground, which made the children giggle. The scene was lively and harmonious. Chapter 429 Leisure On the other side of the lawn, under the shade of the sycamore trees, there are several small tables. A crisp and rhythmic “da da da” sound became the most beautiful background sound in this peaceful world. Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang, and Zhang Wanqing, several women who have become mothers, are sitting upright and operating brand new sewing machines. Their movements were skillful and graceful, and their faces were filled with a kind of genuine satisfaction and happiness. The soft cotton cloth quickly shuttled through their hands, turning into exquisite and lovely little clothes. Zhang Wanqing picked up a pair of pants that she had just sewn and gestured in the direction of her son Zhang Chengyu, with an unconcealable smile on her face. “This sewing machine is truly magical. It used to take me a whole day to make a pair of pants like this. Now, it takes less than half an hour.” While operating the sewing machine, Sister Lin gently looked at Lin Xiao who was playing with the children not far away, and agreed: “Yes, the time saved can be used to spend more time with the children. The king always thinks of us.” Her eyes were filled with unbreakable tenderness and admiration. This man not only gave her and her daughter a stable life, but also completely changed their destiny with one incredible magical object after another. Aunt Wang didn’t say anything, she just smiled and nodded, without stopping her hands at all. For her, it is a great blessing to be able to watch her daughter Nini make great achievements in the army, to have a child with her beloved man, and to live such a peaceful and stable life like a fairy tale. After playing with the kids for a while, Lin Xiao felt a little tired. He lay on the soft blanket, resting his head on his arms, and squinted his eyes comfortably. A fragrant breeze blew over. Liu Ruyan sat down beside him gracefully, picked up a silver knife in her bare hands, and began to peel an apple. Her movements were neither hurried nor slow, and the long peels formed a complete spiral, which looked very beautiful. After peeling the apple, she cut it into even small pieces, picked up a piece with a small silver fork, and handed it to Lin Xiao’s mouth. “Sir, try it.” Her voice was like a mountain spring, clear and gentle. Lin Xiao opened his mouth and took it in, the sweetness of the apple melted in his mouth. At the same time, on the other side of him, Tuya was kneeling on the blanket, gently massaging his legs with just the right amount of strength. She was wearing a simple long dress in the style of Zhenbei Kingdom, and her eyes were full of obedience and peace. In her opinion, it was her honor to serve such a god like man. Lin Xiao felt Liu Ruyan’s tenderness and thoughtfulness, enjoyed Tuya’s attentive service, and heard the children’s innocent laughter and the brisk “clicking” sound of the sewing machine. A warm current called “happiness” slowly flows through my heart. Wasn’t all his efforts just for this scene? Lin Xiao closed his eyes, and a satisfied smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth. Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from afar. Li Dequan appeared at the door of the backyard with an expression of uncontrollable joy on his face. Seeing Lin Xiao resting, he slowed down his pace a lot, but still couldn’t hide his excitement. “Your Majesty.” Li Dequan bowed and presented a wax sealed letter with both hands. “Expressed from eight hundred miles across the grasslands, this is a handwritten letter from General Agula!” Lin Xiao opened his eyes and sat up. Liu Ruyan and Tuya also stopped what they were doing and looked over curiously. Lin Xiao took the letter, tore open the seal, and pulled out the letter inside. There was more than one piece of letter paper, and it was filled with writing. It began with a standard military report, which concisely reported the process of the Tulu tribe’s demise, as well as the brilliant results of sweeping across the grassland and winning over the rebels in the following half month. Prisoners, cattle, sheep, minerals, every piece of data was clearly listed, representing that huge wealth was about to flow into Zhenbei Kingdom. Lin Xiao watched calmly and nodded. This was all within his expectations. The appearance of the rapid fire musket was a dimensionality reduction attack. But as you continue reading, the tone of the letter quietly changes. “…Agula was foolish. When he first met the king, he was so ignorant that he dared to attempt to wrestle with the gods. This is truly a narrow minded act, and he deserves death.” “Since receiving the King’s divine grace and being given the power to wield the divine weapon of punishment, Agula has come to understand that the King’s heart holds the vastness of the universe and the people of the world. So called bravery is but the light of a firefly before the King’s divine might. So called heroes are but withered bones in a grave before the King’s unparalleled talent.” “Now, Agula yearns for neither military exploits nor power, but rather the king’s majestic presence and divine wielding. To be able to whip and stirrup the king is Agula’s greatest honor. Now that the grasslands are secured, Agula seeks no reward, only an early return to the capital, to stand before the king, to listen to divine oracles, and to serve him…” At the end of the letter, he even used a not very skilled handwriting to draw a small stick figure kneeling with his head bowed, and wrote a few words next to it: Agula. Lin Xiao couldn’t help laughing when he saw it. This was not a battle report, it was clearly a love letter. The most arrogant and unruly horse on the grassland has now been completely tamed. Liu Ruyan had been standing nearby curiously, and when she saw the whole thing to the end, a touching blush could not help but appear on her cold face, and then she burst out laughing. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her beautiful eyes sparkling with light, and she looked at Lin Xiao with a mischievous smile. “Your Excellency is truly resourceful. It hasn’t been long since you’ve made the most fiery horse on the grassland learn to be gentle and even write such… such a revealing letter.” Her voice was not loud, but it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake. The eyes of Tuya, Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang and other women were all focused on Lin Xiao. Tuya lowered her head, but a relieved smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She knew best how arrogant Agula was. But now, this pearl of the grassland who once had high and mighty eyes used the most humble and fanatical words to describe her man in the letter. At this moment, her awe of Lin Xiao reached a new peak again. Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi looked at each other and saw the pride in each other’s eyes. Their husbands are such upright men. Isn’t it normal to subdue a grassland princess? Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang and others who were operating the sewing machines also stopped what they were doing and looked at Lin Xiao with eyes full of tenderness and admiration. Sure enough, no matter how arrogant a woman is, she will eventually be conquered by his charm. At this moment that attracted everyone’s attention, a system prompt sounded in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Ding! Agula’s favorability increased by 20. Current favorability: 40.] [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by 5. Current favorability: 64.] [Ding! Tuya’s favorability increased by 5, current favorability: 26.] Chapter 430 King Bomb Combination A series of prompt sounds made Lin Xiao’s heart flutter. Agula’s favorability suddenly soared by twenty points! Lin Xiao was overjoyed and took a look at his system panel. This time, he could draw the lottery twice in a row! He calmly folded the letter and handed it back to Li Dequan, instructing, “Write back and tell her that the grassland affairs have been handled very well and I am very satisfied. Tell her to handle the follow up matters and then return to the capital.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” Li Dequan took the letter respectfully and bowed to retreat. After giving the order, Lin Xiao leaned back comfortably, letting Tuya continue to massage his legs. In his mind, he silently said to the system: “Draw a prize.” On the system interface in front of him, the familiar roulette wheel began to spin rapidly, and colorful lights intertwined into one. Lin Xiao’s heart also began to lift. Here it comes! What good stuff could it be? After a moment, the roulette wheel suddenly stopped. All the light converges on one point: “The Encyclopedia of Biological and Basic Medical Knowledge”. “boom!” It was as if a bolt of thunder from the sky exploded in Lin Xiao’s head. His body shook violently, and all the hairs on his body stood on end! ecstasy! nice one! The next moment, an endless torrent of knowledge, like a river bursting its dam, rushed into his brain frantically. His “vision” was infinitely zoomed in, and he saw the most basic unit of life the cell. He saw how cells divided, grew, and died, and how they formed tissues and organs, ultimately forming a magnificent human body. He saw a whole new world that was invisible to the naked eye. Countless microorganisms are thriving in the air, water, and soil. Some of them are friendly to humans, while others carry deadly viruses. Smallpox, cholera, typhoid… These horrific plagues that were enough to scare countless people in that era, in his eyes, instantly lost their mysterious and invincible aura and turned into tiny life forms that could be identified, studied, and targeted. Genetics, anatomy, pathology, pharmacology… Countless branches of knowledge built an extremely magnificent tree of life science in his mind. Every bone, every muscle, every blood vessel, and every nerve in the human body were presented in three dimensions in his mind with unprecedented clarity. How blood flows, how the heart beats, how food is digested, how diseases occur and develop in the body… He knew how to use a lancet to precisely cut the skin, avoiding nerves and blood vessels, and remove diseased tissue; He also knew how to extract effective ingredients from plants and minerals to create drugs that could precisely kill pathogens. He also knew how to prevent the spread of disease and how to gain immunity through vaccination. All of this is nothing short of a miracle for this era. He seemed to see that his people, his women, and his children would have a healthier and longer lived future. This is the true supreme power that can change the world and overturn life and death! Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, and a terrifying light flashed in his dark eyes. “Sir?” Liu Ruyan felt something was wrong with Lin Xiao’s body and called out softly with concern. Lin Xiao waved his hands to indicate that he was fine. He forced himself to suppress the excitement surging in his heart, and without the slightest hesitation, he gave the system a second command. “Continue the lottery!” The roulette wheel in my mind began to spin wildly again. This time, Lin Xiao’s heartbeat was even faster than before. Now that he had the medical knowledge, what other surprises would the system bring him? The light faded, and another line of golden characters appeared. Modern Urban Planning and Public Health System. Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, and the gleam in his eyes almost turned into substance! He could no longer hold it back and burst out laughing “Hahahaha”. His laughter was hearty and refreshing, filled with incomparable joy and pride. Perfect! It’s just perfect! If medical knowledge is the “spear,” the sharp blade used to slay the demon of disease, then the public health system is the “shield”! It is the supreme barrier that can nip most diseases in the bud! King bomb! This is definitely a king bomb combination! Prevention is worse than cure! In Lin Xiao’s mind, with the influx of new knowledge, grand blueprints of new cities instantly emerged. Beneath the wide and smooth roads, a complex underground pipe network crisscrosses, transporting sewage and feces generated by every household through sealed pipes to treatment plants far away from the city. The clear river water is led into a huge reservoir, and after a series of treatments such as sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, it is transported to various parts of the city through another set of independent pipelines. When you turn on a faucet, clean and hygienic drinking water will flow out. There is also a scientifically planned garbage collection and disposal system, and residential areas, commercial areas, industrial areas, and green areas are divided in an orderly manner… How did the plague originate? Isn’t it because of the dirty environment, polluted water, and garbage and feces everywhere? When a city has a complete sewage system, clean tap water, and a scientific garbage disposal system, it is equivalent to cutting off the transmission channels of most infectious diseases from the root! Medicine, plus public health. One solves the pain, the other eradicates the cause of the disease. With this two pronged approach, the kingdom under his rule will become the cleanest, healthiest and most desirable paradise on earth! “ah?” “Daddy, what are you laughing at?” “Your Majesty?” Lin Xiao’s sudden laughter startled everyone. The children who were playing stopped and looked at him curiously. Liu Ruyan, Tuya and other women looked at him with confusion, wondering why he was suddenly so happy. Lin Xiao suddenly jumped up from the blanket, his movements as agile as a dragon. He looked around at his women, at their faces that were either charming, gentle, or heroic, and at the innocent children in the distance , a surge of great pride surged in his heart. He opened his arms and laughed again. “Hahahaha! I’m going to give the people of our kingdom, and the people of this world, another enormous gift!” His voice was full of confidence and infectiousness, which made the women present feel a little shaken. Although they didn’t understand what was happening, they knew that their men were about to create a new miracle. Lin Xiao turned around and shouted orders towards the backyard door. “Someone come!” A personal guard immediately stepped forward, bowed and waited for orders. “Send the order immediately!” Lin Xiao’s voice was filled with unquestionable majesty and eager excitement. “Order Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, and Zhang Fuan to meet me in the palace meeting hall immediately! No mistakes!” “yes!” The guards received the order and rushed away. Lin Xiao turned around, looked at the distant sky, and a happy smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. A brand new era is about to come. Chapter 431 Rebuilding the World Royal Palace, Council Hall. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan arrived almost jogging, with beads of sweat on their foreheads. As soon as they entered the room, they saw Lin Xiao leaning over a huge piece of paper, holding a charcoal pencil and sketching something quickly. The three of them didn’t dare to disturb him. They bowed and stood aside quietly, holding their breath, and craning their necks curiously. There were several drawings on the table, and each one depicted something they had never heard of or seen before. A drawing shows a huge, complex building. It was divided into countless small rooms, with various strange passages and layouts, marked with words such as “outpatient clinic”, “first aid”, “surgery”, “ward”, etc. that they could not understand at all. Song Qinghe was completely bewildered. As a local official, he considered himself quite knowledgeable about urban planning, but the layout of the building before him completely overturned his understanding. Why was this house divided into so many small rooms? On another drawing, there are dense, spider web like lines drawn. These lines converge together, then branch out and are buried underground. There are also things like water towers and pools drawn next to them. Li Dequan was dizzy. He had been involved with land and villages all his life, and he couldn’t understand why they buried the pipes underground instead of repairing the canals. Wasn’t it like taking off your pants to fart—a superfluous act? Zhang Fuan’s eyes were fixed on the third drawing. There were rows of strangely shaped metal objects painted on it, some curved, some straight, some that looked like scissors but weren’t scissors, and some that looked like pliers but weren’t pliers. Each one exuded a cold aura. As the chief craftsman of Zhenbei Kingdom, he had come into contact with countless magical objects designed by Lin Xiao, but he could not recognize any of these things in front of him. He scratched his head, but finally couldn’t help himself. He cautiously approached, pointed at a pair of surgical forceps that were painted lifelike, and asked in a muffled voice: “Your Majesty, this… what kind of new torture device is this? A bone clamp?” Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao stopped writing, stood up, looked at the three people with confused expressions, and smiled. He didn’t answer directly. Instead, he walked to the side, poured a glass of water, and asked calmly, “Uncle Dequan, did children often get upset and die in the past?” Li Dequan was stunned for a moment, then nodded gloomily, “Yes. This disease is very common in the summer. It keeps coming back. A healthy baby becomes deformed in just a few days. There’s no way to save him…” Lin Xiao looked at Song Qinghe again: “Sir Song, what should we do if a plague breaks out in a place?” Song Qinghe’s face turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, the only option is to blockade and isolate the area, and leave it to fate. During a major epidemic, nine out of ten houses are empty, which is a common occurrence.” Lin Xiao nodded, his gaze finally landing on Zhang Fuan: “Fuan, brothers in the workshop, if you are accidentally scratched by iron tools, wouldn’t it be easy for the wound to fester, develop a high fever, or even die?” Zhang Fuan nodded naively, “Yes, Your Majesty. This is called tetanus. When evil spirits enter the body, even gods cannot help.” After listening to the three people’s words, Lin Xiao picked up the water glass, looked around at them, and spoke slowly. “What if I tell you that all of this isn’t a natural disaster, nor is it caused by some evil spirit entering our bodies? It’s because there are these ‘little bugs’ all around us, in the air, in the water, even on our unwashed hands, that are completely invisible to the naked eye.” “We get sick because we eat food and drink water infested with these little bugs. We get rotten wounds because these little bugs get into them. And we get plagues because these little bugs run wild from person to person.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, but the content of his words was like thunder, exploding in the minds of the three people. Little bug? Invisible to the naked eye? The three of them looked at each other, their faces filled with absurdity and disbelief. This sounded even stranger than the ghost stories told by storytellers. Lin Xiao didn’t give them much time to digest it. He walked to the blueprint and pointed at the strange building. “I call this a ‘hospital.’ Its purpose is to deal with these little bugs. The separate wards inside are to separate patients with different illnesses to prevent the little bugs in their bodies from running around.” He pointed to the “torture instruments” again. “These are called ‘surgical instruments.’ They’re not instruments of torture; they’re used to save lives. Before use, they must be boiled repeatedly in boiling water to kill any insects clinging to them. This way, when you cut open the patient’s body and remove the dead tissue, you prevent more insects from getting in.” Finally, his hand fell on the underground pipeline network map. “This is the lifeblood of the city. One system delivers clean, filtered water to every household, ensuring that people have access to insect free drinking water. The other system transports all dirty water and feces generated by households through sealed underground pipes far outside the city for centralized treatment, preventing them from polluting our land and water sources.” There was deathly silence in the meeting room. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan stood there in shock, like three petrified statues. Their minds are completely confused. They understood every word of Lin Xiao’s words, but when put together, they constructed a whole new world that they had never imagined in their dreams before. The first person to react was Li Dequan. This old man, who was used to seeing life and death and had dug countless small graves for the children who died in the village, suddenly trembled, his lips quivered, and tears suddenly welled up in his cloudy old eyes. “Oh my God…my mother…” His voice was hoarse and filled with tears, “If…if there had been this method earlier, all those babies who died of stomachaches…wouldn’t have had to die?” His voice, like a heavy hammer, woke up the other two. Song Qinghe’s breathing suddenly became extremely rapid. He stared at the drawings intently, with a huge wave of thoughts in his mind. What he saw was no longer just saving a few children and curing a few patients. What he saw was the most solid foundation of a country, a kingdom! A kingdom with almost no plague, clean drinking water for everyone, and healthy and strong people! What does this mean? This means more population, stronger military resources, more prosperous economy, and more stable rule! This isn’t about curing a disease; this is about governing a nation! No, this is about creating an unprecedented kingdom of God! And Zhang Fuan, this honest craftsman, has eyes shining at this moment, and his eyes are more fanatical than when he saw the blueprint of the peerless magic weapon. He seemed to have seen the coldly shining scalpels he had made with his own hands cutting through the patients’ flesh and saving lives. What a world changing merit that is! “thump!” The three of them seemed to have discussed it beforehand. They knelt on the ground in unison and kowtowed heavily to Lin Xiao. The way they looked at Lin Xiao had completely changed. That is not looking at a wise monarch, but looking up to a true God who walks among the people, spreading civilization and vitality. Chapter 432 Subverting Cognition Lin Xiao accepted their gift calmly. He stepped forward and helped the three of them up one by one, his voice steady and powerful. “The reason I summoned you here today is to entrust this matter to you.” He looked at Li Dequan and said, “From now on, the Zhenbei National Health Bureau will be established. You will serve as the first director. You will be responsible for promoting the concept of hygiene to the entire population and supervising the cleanliness of the environment in all regions.” He looked at Song Qinghe again and said, “In the best area of the county town, I will set aside a piece of land to build our first central hospital. At the same time, I will set up a medical school. I will select bright young people from the territory and I will personally teach them medical skills. You will be responsible for allocating all resources.” Finally, he looked at Zhang Fuan and said, “All newly built urban areas must follow the blueprints and lay underground sewage and water supply dual pipe systems! You will be fully responsible for the technical research and construction of all hospitals and medical schools, as well as the manufacture of related equipment!” Each order made the three of them excited, and they felt an unprecedented sense of mission weighing heavily on their shoulders. What a trust this is! What a great undertaking that will change the world! “Your Majesty, obey your command!” The three of them responded in unison, their voices resounding and resounding. They bowed deeply to Lin Xiao again, then turned around and walked out hurriedly. Their steps were filled with an unyielding determination to move forward. They knew that from today on, what they were going to do would be a great event that would go down in history and benefit future generations. They want to recreate a human world for their king and the people of this world with their own hands! Just as the three of them reached the door, Lin Xiao’s voice rang out again. “Fuan, you stay.” Zhang Fuan paused, turned around quickly, a hint of confusion on his face, and trotted back to Lin Xiao: “Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?” Lin Xiao smiled, picked up a charcoal pencil, and started drawing again on another clean piece of paper. “Fuan, have you ever seen how, after a summer rain, the water droplets on a lotus leaf can illuminate the leaf’s veins with exceptional clarity?” Zhang Fuan scratched his head, thought for a moment, and nodded naively, “I’ve seen it before. It’s a bit like the glass lens that the scholar used.” “Yes.” Lin Xiao’s pen moved quickly, and an exquisite and complex object appeared on the paper. “What I want you to do is to grind many of these ‘water drops’ out of the purest glass, and then use this copper tube to stack them layer by layer.” He pointed to the structure on the drawing and explained, “I’m going to use this to see clearly what I call ‘little bugs’.” See clearly… the little bug? Zhang Fuan looked at the strange thing on the drawing, which was made up of copper tubes, glass pieces and various knobs, and his mind was a little confused. He believed what the king said, but using such a thing to see those “little bugs” that were invisible to the naked eye… He really couldn’t understand it. But he didn’t ask any more questions. If the king says it is possible, then it must be possible! He solemnly took the blueprint, as if receiving a military order, and nodded heavily: “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! Even if I have to go without food or sleep, I will definitely build this thing for you!” A few days later. In the Gewuyuan, a newly built laboratory is bright and clean, without a speck of dust. At this moment, Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin, with several of their most proud disciples, were carefully placing a brand new object on a sturdy wooden table in the center. The object was crafted entirely from brass, gleaming with a warm, mysterious sheen in the sunlight filtering through the window. A straight copper tube stood tall, connected to a platform for placing objects and flanked by several delicate knobs. The overall shape was indescribably odd. “Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission!” Zhang Fuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face full of pride. In order to grind those glass lenses that were smaller than a fingernail, he and his craftsmen wasted hundreds of pieces of high quality glass and worked up countless pairs of eyes. Finally, they made them exactly according to the drawings. Lu Jin adjusted the plain glasses on his nose, his eyes filled with the thirst for knowledge and curiosity unique to scholars. He circled the “microscope” twice and couldn’t help asking, “Your Majesty, what exactly is this thing used for? I’m a dull student, but judging by its structure, could it be used to observe the stars and explore the laws of nature?” He felt that only the vast starry sky was worthy of such a sophisticated instrument. Several young students around also nodded and looked at Lin Xiao with admiration, waiting for the “Father of Science” to reveal the answer to them. “Stargazing?” Lin Xiao shook his head with a smile, “No, it sees a world smaller than a speck of dust.” He didn’t explain further, but simply ordered his guards: “Go, go to the pond in the garden outside and get a bowl of water.” Soon, a bowl of pond water that looked relatively clear but slightly turbid was brought in. Amidst everyone’s puzzled gazes, Lin Xiao took out a thin glass tube, sucked a drop of water from the bowl, and gently dripped it onto a thin piece of transparent glass. He placed the glass slide on the microscope platform, bent down, and carefully adjusted the knobs with one eye. After doing all this, he stood up and waved to Zhang Fuan who was standing next to him with a confused look on his face. “Fuan, come and see.” “Me?” Zhang Fuan pointed at himself, feeling somewhat flattered and bewildered. He was just a rough guy, so how could he understand these things? But under Lin Xiao’s encouraging gaze, he still took a deep breath, imitated Lin Xiao, leaned down awkwardly, and put his eyes to the top of the copper pipe. At first, there was only a blur of light in front of my eyes. “Come closer and don’t blink.” Lin Xiao’s voice sounded in his ears. Zhang Fuan obediently moved his eyes closer. The next second, his pupils suddenly shrank to the size of a needle tip! He saw it! In that small world of light, countless strange looking creatures are wriggling wildly! Some looked like twisted sticks, some like strings of beads, and some had long tails, swimming back and forth like tadpoles! They bumped into each other, chasing each other, so densely packed that it made your scalp tingle! What the hell is this?! “ah!” Zhang Fuan let out a strange cry, as if he was stung by a scorpion on the butt. He bounced back suddenly, and his huge body staggered back several steps. With a “thump”, he knocked over the stool behind him and fell on his butt. His face was pale and his eyes were full of fear. He pointed at the microscope, his lips trembled, and he could not speak clearly. “Monster…monster! There are monsters in the water…in the water! Alive! They’re all moving! Oh my god…thousands of them!” This sudden scene startled everyone. Lu Jin and several students looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. What a courageous man Zhang Fuan was! He had faced a vast army without even a frown, yet now he was frightened like this by a drop of water? Chapter 433 Microscopic World “Is it really like that?” Lu Jin was curious. He suppressed his inner shock, walked forward quickly, held onto the table, and carefully put his eyes close to it. After just one look, Lu Jin was struck by lightning and froze in place. His reaction was different from Zhang Fuan’s. What Zhang Fuan saw was simply a “monster”, a visual horror. But what Lu Jin saw was a living, new microscopic world that overturned his twenty years of hard study and his entire worldview! It turns out…it turns out that the “little bug” that the king was talking about is real! They really exist! Just live in this drop of seemingly clear water! “It’s not… it’s not a ghost or god… it’s a living being…” Lu Jin’s lips were trembling. He held onto the arm of the microscope, his legs weak and he could barely stand. “Oh my God… so that’s it, so that’s it! The source of the plague, the root of the disease… it all lies here!” He suddenly raised his head and looked at Lin Xiao with eyes that were no longer filled with admiration, but with the same fanaticism and awe as a mortal looking up at the God of Creation! With this thing, the incredible “medicine” that the king talks about will no longer be a castle in the air! “I want to see it too!” “Let me see it!” The remaining young students could no longer contain themselves and rushed over. “Ah! It really is!” “It’s horrible! There are so many things in the water we drink?” “I…I feel like vomiting…” Suppressible exclamations echoed one after another in the small Gewuyuan. Everyone who stepped back from the microscope had the same look of horror and paleness on their face. They looked at the bowl of ordinary pond water on the table, their eyes filled with unprecedented fear. It was as if it was not a bowl of water, but a bowl of poison that could devour lives. Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching them as their world views were shattered, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He walked forward calmly, helped Zhang Fuan up who had fallen to the ground, and brushed the dust off him. “What are you afraid of?” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, yet it carried a soothing power. “They’re not monsters. I call them microorganisms. They’re everywhere and are the fundamental cause of our birth, aging, sickness, and death.” He pointed to the bowl of pond water, then to the microscope, and said in a calm and authoritative voice: “What you just saw are these. They are too small to be seen by the naked eye, yet they are responsible for all our illnesses and plagues.” Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin, and the others were all shocked when these words came out. The absurd feeling was instantly shattered by Lin Xiao’s confidence, replaced by a kind of shocking enlightenment. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything more. He just pondered for a moment and then ordered, “Send this item to Wang Family Academy.” A few days later, the largest lecture hall in the Zhenbei Royal Academy was packed with people. Not only the students of the academy, but also officials of all levels in the county city, and even Liu Ruyan and Tuya whose curiosity was aroused, came here. When they heard that the king was going to give a lecture in person on a kind of “small insect that is invisible to the naked eye”, they were all extremely curious. Lin Xiao, dressed in a plain robe, slowly walked up to the podium. Behind him, a huge charcoal drawn picture slowly unfolded. There were some strange geometric shapes drawn on it, some looked like connected beads, some looked like long and thin sticks, and some had long tails. There were densely packed words marked next to them, which were exactly the structural diagrams of cells and bacteria in his mind . “Today, I will reveal to you a world invisible to the naked eye.” Lin Xiao’s voice was low, but it echoed clearly throughout the classroom. “This world is filled with countless tiny creatures. They are what we call ‘little bugs,’ and they are the source of many diseases.” He pointed to the pictures and began to explain the germ theory in a simple and easy to understand way: “Have you ever wondered why wounds ooze pus, why someone suddenly develops a high fever, or why a plague can wipe out nine out of ten houses in a village?” People in the audience were whispering. Some students were discussing in low voices about “evil spirits entering the body” and “wind and cold invading”, while some officials shook their heads and sighed, “natural disasters are unpredictable.” They looked puzzled, clearly harboring great doubts about Lin Xiao’s “little bug” theory. It sounded too bizarre, completely contradicting the medical principles and common sense they had learned. Lin Xiao took in everyone’s reactions, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He didn’t rush to refute, but simply gestured to Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin beside him. Soon, a microscope connected to a special device was pushed to the center of the podium. The other end of the device faced the huge white screen at the front of the classroom. Lin Xiao picked up a small cup of pond water, and in full view of everyone, he used a glass tube to draw a drop and carefully dropped it onto the microscope slide. He bent down, made some adjustments, then stood up and looked at the white screen. As Lin Xiao gently turned a knob, the originally blurry light spots on the white screen began to gradually become clear. At first, there was just a white background. Then, one after another, tiny black shadows began to emerge on the white screen. They varied in shape, some like round beads, some as thin as silk threads, and some with long flagella, looking exactly like the “tadpoles” that Lin Xiao had previously drawn on the blueprint. “Look!” Lin Xiao raised his hand and pointed at the white curtain. The next moment, the entire classroom was filled with gasps of shock. Because those tiny black shadows on the white screen actually moved! They squirmed wildly in the white “water”, bumped into each other, chased and played, and were so densely packed that it made people’s scalp numb. The scene was a hundred times more shocking than what Zhang Fuan saw with his own eyes, because it was magnified countless times and presented clearly in front of everyone. Liu Ruyan and Tuya held each other’s hands tightly, their beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. On the white screen, the wriggling paramecium and bacteria are clearly visible, silently revealing a truth that has been hidden for thousands of years. The classroom was dead silent, with only the intermittent sound of heavy breathing. Everyone’s face was frozen in the same look of shock and paleness. The look they gave Lin Xiao was no longer one of suspicion, but of almost fanatical awe. If you don’t see it with your own eyes, who can believe that in the water they drink every day, there is such a living, invisible to the naked eye… microscopic world hidden! Then, it was as if a volcano that had been accumulating for a long time suddenly erupted! “Oh my God!” a student exclaimed. “Oh my God!” An official pointed with trembling fingers at a “tadpole” swimming rapidly on the white screen. “This… this is… the root of the disease?” Someone’s voice trembled. Thinking of the water he drank every day, he felt his stomach churning. The sounds of exclamations, gasps, and the noise of tables and chairs being knocked over merged into a huge wave of sound that almost blew the roof off. Chapter 434: A Strong People and a Prosperous Nation Everyone stood up, whether they were well read students or experienced officials, their eyes widened at this moment, and their faces were filled with shock that could not be described in words. At this moment, the worldview they had built over decades was shattered by the living, moving “little bugs” before their eyes. “So… it’s not evil spirits… it’s not divine punishment… it’s bugs… bugs in the water…” A student murmured to himself in despair, remembering his younger sister who died of typhoid fever when she was young. It turned out that it was these invisible things that killed her. Liu Ruyan and Tuya held each other’s hands tightly, their knuckles turning white. Although they had been prepared for Lin Xiao’s magical methods, the shock of seeing the root cause of the disease directly still made them feel uneasy. They looked at the man on the stage with eyes full of awe and admiration. Among the crowd, Li Dequan reacted most intensely. The old man did not exclaim, but his whole body was shaking violently, and his cloudy old eyes were staring at the white screen. He seemed to see not those wriggling microorganisms, but children who died of dehydration due to diarrhea, and those villagers who died in despair in the plague. He remembered those small graves and the heart wrenching cries of those mothers. It turns out that the culprit has always been around them, in the water they drink every day and in the food they don’t wash thoroughly. “Plop!” Li Dequan’s knees softened and he knelt down straight towards the podium, tears streaming down his face. “Your Majesty…you are a god who has descended to earth…you are saving the lives of all the people in the world!” His kneeling was like a signal. All the students in the classroom could no longer suppress their inner enthusiasm. They all knelt on the ground and performed the disciple ceremony to Lin Xiao on the stage. When they looked at Lin Xiao, they were no longer looking at a king, but at a saint who imparted truth and enlightened the people! “Your Majesty, please preach to us!” “We are willing to follow the king, to explore the truth of things, and to cure the diseases of the people!” The overwhelming requests merged into a torrent. Lin Xiao stood on the stage, calmly accepting everyone’s kneeling. He raised his hand and lightly pressed it, and the noisy classroom instantly quieted down. “What I have said today is but a drop in the ocean.” His voice was filled with the calmness of one who understands everything. “The principles of heaven and earth are infinite. To better explore this world, I declare the establishment of the ‘Teaching and Investigating the World’!” “The Institute of Gewu has three departments. The first is the Department of Biology, which studies the microorganisms I just talked about, as well as the secrets of the human body, animals, and plants, in order to strengthen the body and eradicate illness.” “The second is ‘physics’, which studies the changes in force, heat, sound, light, and electricity in order to drive all things and create powerful tools.” “The third is ‘chemistry,’ which studies the composition and transformation of all things, in order to transform stone into gold and transform decay into magic.” “All citizens of Zhenbei, regardless of their background, regardless of gender, as long as they are intelligent and eager to learn, can enroll in the academy to study. After graduation, they can become excellent doctors, master craftsmen, or excellent teachers, and all of them will be the pillars of Zhenbei!” Lin Xiao’s words were like thunderclaps, exploding in everyone’s heart. Biology, physics, chemistry! A brand new, systematic ladder to the truth was clearly presented to everyone by Lin Xiao. After a brief silence, there was even more enthusiastic cheering! “Long live the king! Long live the Academy of Gewu!” “We swear to follow the king until death!” The cheers continued for a long time, and every young face was filled with infinite longing for the future and fanatical admiration for Lin Xiao. Three days later, in the palace meeting hall. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, and core members including Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde and others gathered together. Unlike in the past, today everyone’s face had an unconcealable red glow, and they were full of energy and high spirits. Song Qinghe was the first to step forward, holding a thick file and speaking in a loud voice. “Your Majesty! Since the publication of the Zhenbei Daily and the completion of the railway, our Zhenbei Kingdom has gained widespread fame. In the past three months, over 300,000 refugees, merchants, and craftsmen have poured into our territory from all over the Great Zhou! Our Zhenbei Kingdom’s total population has increased by over 30%!” “Due to the extremely prosperous trade, although we are implementing the King’s benevolent policies and the tax rate is far lower than that of the Great Zhou, the kingdom’s total tax revenue has more than doubled compared to the same period last year!” As soon as the words fell, everyone in the room was shocked. The population surged by 30%, and the tax revenue doubled! What a terrifying growth! Before everyone could digest the news, Li Dequan stood up with a smile on his old face. “Your Majesty! Compulsory education for all has been initially implemented in core counties like Qinglin and Beiping! Over 300 new schools have been built, enrolling nearly 50,000 children! Now, every morning, the sound of reading can be heard everywhere. This is the eternal foundation of our Zhenbei Kingdom!” “Also, ever since the king explained the concept of ‘microorganisms,’ the public’s emphasis on hygiene has skyrocketed! The county capital’s new urban area has begun laying a dual underground sewage and water supply system. The people say that by following the king, they can not only have enough food and clothing, but also live a clean and long life!” Next was Zhang Fuan, his honest face filled with pride. “Your Majesty! The steam engine workshop at the Institute of Gewu is now capable of producing fifty units per month! New textile and steel mills are springing up everywhere. Our Zhenbei Kingdom’s iron and cloth production has increased by more than ten times! Cement, in particular, is in short supply! It can be said that our industrial foundation has been firmly established!” Finally, there was Sun Mingde, dressed in military uniform, who strode out with a mighty voice like a bell. “Your Majesty! Our Zhenbei Kingdom’s 300,000 man army has been fully equipped with new repeating muskets and artillery! The morale of the soldiers is high!” “General Agula is reporting frequent victories on the grasslands!” He unfolded a telegram copy. “Just yesterday, General Agula once again defeated the rebellious tribes without a single drop of blood, subduing over 30,000 of them. He also captured over 100,000 head of cattle and sheep, and 30,000 horses! Now, across the grasslands, only the king’s might is heard, and no one dares to harbor any dissenting thoughts!” Report after report, shocking figures after figures, echoed in the conference hall. Everyone present was so excited that their blood boiled and they felt proud. They witnessed with their own eyes how, under Lin Xiao’s leadership, a barren northern land was transformed in a short period of time into a powerful kingdom with a rapidly growing population, prosperous trade, burgeoning industry, and a formidable military! This is no longer a simple development, it is creating a miracle! After everyone finished their reports, they all turned their gazes towards Lin Xiao, who sat on the main seat. Their eyes were filled with fanaticism, admiration, and absolute loyalty. Lin Xiao leaned back in his chair, listened quietly to all the reports, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He nodded slowly. “very good.” These two simple words excited everyone more than any reward. They knew that an unprecedented great era was about to begin in their hands. Chapter 435: Human Fireworks The backyard of the palace is covered with green lawns. Lin Xiao was playing with a few children who were already old enough to run around. Lin Rui and Zhang Chengyu were arguing fiercely over a block, while the girls, Lin Xin, Lin Youning, and Lin Nian, sat quietly nearby, imitating their fathers and carefully stacking the blocks. Under the shade of the sycamore tree not far away, the crisp and rhythmic “da da da” sound can be heard continuously. Nini, Sister Lin, and Zhang Wanqing, all mothers themselves, sat together, expertly operating brand new sewing machines. Soft cotton fabric flew through their hands, becoming delicate and lovely little garments. “This material is really good, softer than any other.” While sewing the cuffs, Mrs. Lin looked lovingly at Lin Youning who was fighting with his brother not far away, with a gentle smile on her face. Zhang Wanqing raised her head, looked at Lin Xiao’s profile, and whispered, “These are all new cotton cloths produced by the textile factory built by the king. I heard that the output will be even higher in the future.” Nini didn’t say anything. She stopped what she was doing and stared at the man who was patiently separating his two sons with her bright eyes. He was now a king, a god revered and worshipped by countless people, but here, he was merely their husband and the father of their children. This contrast filled her heart with an inextricable tenderness and love. Lin Xiao listened to their laughter and looked at the group of lively and lovely children in front of him, and his heart was at peace. Isn’t everything he did just to protect this peace and allow thousands of families in the kingdom to live like this? Suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind. He wanted to see it with his own eyes. Not through Song Qinghe’s report, not through Li Dequan’s sigh, but to use his own eyes to see what this kingdom he created with his own hands looks like now. Once this thought came to my mind, I could no longer suppress it. “Nini.” Lin Xiao stood up and waved towards the shade of the tree. “Husband.” Nini immediately put down the work in her hands, walked over quickly, with a questioning look on her face. Lin Xiao took her hand and whispered a few words in her ear. Nini’s eyes lit up instantly, her face showing unconcealed surprise and excitement: “Really? Just the two of us?” “Well, go quietly and see the real appearance.” Lin Xiao smiled and pinched her cheek. Soon, the two changed into ordinary merchant clothes. Lin Xiao wore a long blue cloth gown, looking elegant and easygoing. Nini changed into a light green dress and tied up her long hair with a simple wooden hairpin. She lost her usual military heroic spirit and looked more gentle and charming like a young woman next door. Without disturbing anyone, the two men quietly left through the side door of the palace and joined the endless stream of people in the county town. The main street market in the county town was bustling with people. The streets are wide and clean, with no more garbage or sewage to be seen. Shops are lined on both sides of the streets, selling cloth, grain and oil, and every business is booming. Lin Xiao and Nini walked hand in hand, looking around curiously. The pedestrians on the street are dressed simply but neatly, and their faces show a spirit that comes from the heart. “Hey, have you heard? The Zhenbei Daily said the king is going to build a ‘central hospital’ in the county capital. We won’t have to go to quack doctors anymore!” “Not only that! My kid, who’s studying at the Royal Academy, came back a few days ago and told me that the King himself gave them a lecture, saying that we get sick because there are invisible ‘bugs’ in the water! I’m so scared that I only drink boiled water now!” “Is this true? So mysterious?” “Who cares if it’s true or not? What the king said could be wrong? Look at that new sign on the corner. The Health Department comes to inspect every day, and anyone whose door is not clean will be fined! I think this is a good idea. The streets will be cleaner and smell better!” The voices of several passersby talking clearly reached the ears of Lin Xiao and Nini. Nini couldn’t help but chuckle and secretly squeezed Lin Xiao’s palm, her eyes full of pride. Lin Xiao just smiled and took it all in. The two walked into a newly opened restaurant. The restaurant was full and the waiter was busy all the time. As soon as they sat down in the corner, they heard a familiar, honest voice coming from the next table. “Gousheng, eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you!” Lin Xiao looked in the direction of the voice and saw Wang Tiezhu and his son Wang Gousheng, busy working on a large plate of braised pork and two bowls of piled up white rice on the table. Wang Tiezhu picked up a piece of braised pork, a piece of fat and lean meat, and put it in his mouth. He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, smacked his lips, and said to his son with emotion, “This life is something I never dared to dream of before. When I was a hard laborer for the court, I was lucky to have a bite of coarse grains and vegetables to eat. Now I am building roads for the king, and not only am I paid well, but I can also eat meat every meal. It’s really… it’s all thanks to the king!” Wang Gousheng was young and strong, wolfing down his rice. He mumbled, “Dad, all you do is eat! I’m telling you, as soon as the railway near our house is completed, I’ll buy a ticket and go to the grasslands! The newspapers say General Agula is so impressive on the grasslands! I want to go and see what it’s like to see cattle and sheep when the wind blows the grass!” “Go away, you’re just being unruly!” Wang Tiezhu cursed, his face full of smiles. “But having said that, that train is truly impressive! Last time I saw it from afar, it was such a huge, long piece of iron, rumbling along, much faster than a horse drawn carriage! Your Majesty, you’re truly a master train driver!” “That’s it!” Wang Gousheng said proudly, as if he was talking about his own achievements. “Our king is like a god descending from heaven! Otherwise, how could he have created so many magical things!” Nini sat aside, quietly listening to the conversation between the father and son. She lowered her head quietly to hide the tears in her eyes, but her heart was already filled with a huge sense of happiness and admiration. She looked at the man beside her who was drinking tea calmly, her eyes were so gentle that they seemed to be dripping with water. This is her man, the king who is a god sent down from heaven in the eyes of the people of the world, and also her husband. After leaving the county town, Lin Xiao took Nini and rented a carriage to a relatively remote town. The scenery along the way brought him increasing satisfaction. The once bumpy dirt road had been replaced by a smooth gravel path. On both sides of the road lay vast expanses of neatly planned farmland, where crops were growing prosperously. It was already evening when we arrived at the town. The town wasn’t big, but despite its small size, it had everything it needed. In the center, a brand new brick and tile building stood out. Hanging on the doorway was a wooden sign with three large characters inscribed on it: “Health Center.” A young doctor was patiently explaining something to a woman holding a child. The woman nodded repeatedly with gratitude on her face. Next to the clinic is another more spacious building, from which the sound of reading can be heard. “The sky and earth are dark and yellow, the universe is vast and boundless…” The tender children’s voices gathered together are full of vitality. Lin Xiao stood at the entrance of the town, looking at the peaceful and harmonious scene, and an unprecedented sense of accomplishment arose from the bottom of his heart. This is his kingdom. Chapter 436 Smallpox The town was not big, so the inspection was completed quickly. Lin Xiao and Nini held hands and prepared to return to the palace. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the faint smell of firewood. The sound of children reading in the school in the distance had stopped, replaced by laughter and calls from each household. “That’s great.” Nini leaned on Lin Xiao’s shoulder, looking at the peaceful and harmonious scene in front of her, with an unshakable satisfaction in her eyes. Lin Xiao smiled and held her hand tightly. When passing through a quiet narrow alley, Lin Xiao’s footsteps suddenly stopped. A faint smell drifted over, not the usual musty smell, but a strange smell mixed with herbs, decay and illness. What made him even more alert was the unusual silence in the alley. In the surrounding alleys, there were more or less the sounds of dogs barking and people talking, but here it was as quiet as a grave. Lin Xiao’s gaze fell on a house with closed doors and windows deep in the alley. The blue brick walls were already somewhat mottled, and the paint on the wooden door was peeling, just like any other house. But in the evening, amidst the lights of countless other houses, this one had its doors and windows tightly shut, not even a ray of light coming through. Lin Xiao listened attentively and vaguely heard a suppressed, subtle sobbing sound coming from behind the door. It was a woman’s voice, full of despair. He frowned slightly and walked forward and knocked on the wooden door. “Knock, knock, knock.” The knock on the door seemed particularly abrupt in the silent alley. The crying inside stopped abruptly, but no one answered, as if they had held their breath. “Is anyone there? We are just passing by and would like to ask for a bowl of water.” Lin Xiao shouted again. The house was still dead silent. When something is abnormal, there must be something wrong. Lin Xiao no longer hesitated. He pushed the door open with force, and a stronger and stranger smell hit him in the face. The room was dimly lit, practically pitch dark. After a moment’s adjustment, Lin Xiao finally saw a thin woman lying on the bed, her body trembling violently with fear and grief. Her cries were suppressed in her throat and turned into silent whimpers. Lin Xiao’s gaze passed the woman and fell on the simple wooden bed. Lying on the bed was a child about five or six years old, his face flushed red, his eyes closed, and his breathing weak. What made Lin Xiao’s heart sink even more was that the child’s exposed face, neck, and even arms were covered with densely packed pustules of various sizes, some of which had even begun to fester and ooze yellow pus. Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly shrank! smallpox! These two words were like thunder, exploding in his mind! The most horrific plague with the highest mortality rate and the most infectiousness in this era! The woman heard the noise and turned around in horror. When she saw two strangers breaking into her home, she felt as if all her strength had been drained away. Her knees softened and she fell to the ground, kowtowed desperately to Lin Xiao and Nini. “Sir, please spare me! Sir, please spare me!” Her voice was hoarse and desperate. “Please, don’t burn my house, don’t take my child away… He’s still young, he doesn’t know anything… Please!” In her opinion, the only outcome for those who contracted this terrible disease brought down by the “pox god” was to be dragged away by government officials and have their house burned down to prevent future troubles. The leisurely and comfortable expression on Lin Xiao’s face disappeared without a trace the moment he saw the pustules on the child’s body. What replaced it was an unprecedented solemnity. He knew that this was no longer a construction project that could be carried out step by step like building roads, factories, and popularizing education. This is a war! A battle for life between him and an invisible virus! He rushed forward and helped the woman, who was paralyzed with fear, to her feet. His voice was steady and urgent: “I’m not here to arrest someone. I’m here to save him!” He turned around and ordered Nini sternly, “Nini, block this alley immediately. No one is allowed to enter or leave! Run as fast as you can to the town’s telegraph station and send a message to Song Qinghe at the highest emergency level!” “Tell him that smallpox has been discovered in the territory of Zhenbei Country!” “What?!” When Nini heard the word “smallpox,” the color drained from her face. Although she didn’t understand medical science, the horror embodied by the name was a nightmare etched in the bones of everyone in this era. Without any hesitation, she nodded heavily to Lin Xiao, turned around and rushed out of the alley with an agile figure. The woman didn’t understand what Lin Xiao said. She only saw that his expression was solemn and he didn’t look like he was going to arrest anyone or burn the house. A faint glimmer of hope ignited in her heart, but she just hugged the child and cried helplessly. Lin Xiao said nothing more. He knew that any comfort would be pale at this moment. He bent down and carefully examined the child’s condition. High fever, pustules, weak breathing… every symptom was completely consistent with his knowledge of smallpox. The situation is more serious than imagined. This is not a construction that can be planned slowly, but a war that has already begun, a race against death. Royal Palace, Council Hall. When Lin Xiao and Nini rode their horses back at full speed, Song Qinghe and Li Dequan were already waiting there, like ants on a hot pan. They received the telegram sent back by Nini. The two words “smallpox” were like two invisible hammers, hitting their hearts hard, smashing all the high spirits and pride of the previous few days into pieces. “Your Majesty!” Seeing Lin Xiao’s figure, the two of them immediately went up to him, their faces showing unconcealable anxiety and panic. “What’s the situation?” Song Qinghe’s voice was dry. Lin Xiao’s face was solemn and he was about to speak. A telegraph operator rushed in with a pale face and the telegram paper in his hand was shaking. “Your Majesty! Urgent telegram from Nan…Nanjiang County!” “speak!” “Nanjiang County and its three subordinate counties have…exploded a large scale outbreak of high fever and hemoptysis, suspected to be…the plague! In just three days, hundreds have died! Local authorities have requested a city lockdown!” boom! plague! If smallpox is the terrifying god of death, then plague is the greedy demon! Song Qinghe felt his vision go black, his body swayed, and he almost fell to the ground. Li Dequan’s face turned pale, his lips trembling, and he couldn’t utter a word. In the conference room, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde and others who had just arrived after hearing the news also changed their expressions. However, this is just the beginning. Another telegraph operator came crawling in, his voice already filled with tears. “Your Majesty! Urgent news from Xifeng Prefecture! A massive dysentery outbreak has occurred in the territory recaptured by the Great Zhou! Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians are suffering from vomiting and diarrhea. All military and civilian medicines have been exhausted! Many people in the barracks have died of dehydration!” Dysentery! Before one wave subsides, another wave arises! The successive pieces of bad news, like the coldest cold snap, instantly swept through the entire conference room. The air seemed to freeze, the oppression so intense that it was hard to breathe. Chapter 437: Besieged on All Sides At this moment, an officer in charge of intelligence walked in quickly, his face also looking extremely ugly. He unfolded a newly compiled intelligence file. “Your Majesty, gentlemen… this is the news sent back by our spies stationed throughout the Great Zhou.” His voice was low and hoarse. “The situation in the Great Zhou is a hundred times more serious than ours.” “Since the beginning of spring, several provinces in the Central Plains of the Great Zhou Dynasty have suffered from severe drought, resulting in a complete crop failure. This was followed by a locust plague. Now, following the drought and locust plague, a major epidemic is raging.” “Governments everywhere are practically non existent, the imperial court is overwhelmed, and the entire Great Zhou is a living hell!” The intelligence officer’s words plunged the conference room into a dead silence. If the epidemic in their own territory was a major concern, then the tragic situation in the Great Zhou was a huge wave that could swallow everything and was surging towards them. It is conceivable that countless refugees who could not survive would flock to their only paradise like a tide. And these refugees carried smallpox, plague, cholera…all the most deadly viruses imaginable! Song Qinghe slowly walked to the huge sand table map in the center of the conference room. On it, the railways, factories, schools…they planned were clearly marked…each one symbolized hope and the future. He stretched out his slightly trembling hand, picked up a small red flag representing the highest warning, and planted it in the remote town. smallpox. Then he picked up a few red flags and planted them in Nanjiang County in the south. plague. Then, there was a large field of red flags covering a large area of the recovered area in the west. Dysentery. Finally, his gaze fell on the vast territory belonging to the Great Zhou on the map. There should be red flags planted there, densely packed. A few days ago, they were still standing here, full of vigor and ambition, planning their future and envisioning a grand blueprint for the kingdom. At this moment, it is the same group of people and the same map, but all that is left is the glaring red and endless despair. The ministers, who had just been immersed in the joy of a strong nation, now looked ashen, as if they had fallen into an icy cave. Their strong self confidence and national pride were shattered by the natural disaster. Everyone’s eyes finally focused on the man who had remained silent from beginning to end. Lin Xiao. Their king. Their only hope. The meeting room was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Just when this depressing atmosphere was about to drive people crazy, Lin Xiao finally moved. He stood up and walked slowly to the map. Looking at the glaring red flags, his face showed no panic but a cold calmness. “What are you panicking about?” He spoke lightly, his voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone’s heart hard. Everyone suddenly looked up and looked at Lin Xiao. “This king declares that, effective immediately, the ‘Zhenbei National Epidemic Prevention Headquarters’ will be established! This king will personally serve as the commander in chief!” This one sentence shocked Song Qinghe and the others, and their scattered eyes instantly gathered again. Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over everyone present, and commands came out of his mouth clearly and quickly. “First! Sun Mingde!” “I am here!” Sun Mingde strode out of the line, his voice as loud as a bell. “Immediately implement the highest level of blockade across the entire kingdom, using military zones as units! All roads between counties, towns, and villages are to be cut off! No person or vehicle is allowed to move without a special pass issued by command! Violators will be subject to military law!” “Yes, sir!” Sun Mingde turned around and strode away without any hesitation, acting decisively. “Second! The General Telegraph Office!” An officer in charge of communications quickly stepped forward. “Pass on my order. All personnel at the Telegraph Bureau are on standby around the clock! Epidemic information from all counties and prefectures must be transmitted to the command center immediately with the highest priority! Any delays, errors, or omissions will result in death!” “yes!” “Third! Li Dequan!” “I’m here!” Li Dequan wiped his face and stood up. “The Health Department, which you are in charge of, will immediately take over epidemic prevention in all towns! Enforce health regulations. The army will fully assist you. Go door to door, spray limewash and disinfectant, and clean up all garbage and filth! Tell the people, if you don’t want to die, clean up your house!” “Your Majesty, I obey your order!” The fighting spirit was rekindled on Li Dequan’s old face. “Fourth! Zhenbei Daily!” An official in charge of publicity immediately responded. “Print more copies overnight! Distribute the ‘Epidemic Prevention Manual’ I compiled previously as a special edition throughout the territory! Everyone, literate and illiterate, must know what germs are, why isolation is necessary, and why drinking water must be boiled! Let everyone understand that this isn’t divine punishment; this is a war that can be won!” “Yes! Your Majesty!” Each order was clear, decisive, and to the point. Song Qinghe and others only felt a powerful force spreading out from Lin Xiao, sweeping away the panic and helplessness in their hearts, and replacing them with unprecedented confidence and fighting spirit. This was their king! Even in the face of a mountain collapse, he remained calm and composed. While chatting and laughing, he had already laid a net of heaven and earth! After Lin Xiao finished speaking, he walked out without pausing. “Your Majesty, where are you going?” Song Qinghe asked hurriedly. “Institute of Gewu.” Lin Xiao said without turning his head, “I will go and take charge personally.” Everyone was startled and hurried to follow. The Gewuyuan is brightly lit. All the students from the medical school and the researchers from the Institute of Physics were urgently summoned here. Lu Jin, Zhang Fuan, and the others stood at the front, each of them with a solemn and uneasy look on their face. Lin Xiao strode in, and everyone’s eyes were focused on him. Without a word of nonsense, he directly issued an incredible order to everyone. “Pass my order, mobilize all manpower, and find me cattle throughout the kingdom!” Looking for a cow? Everyone was stunned. Now is the time when smallpox, plague, and dysentery are all breaking out. The situation is urgent. The king doesn’t allow us to study the prescription, but instead asks us to go find a cow? Lu Jin bravely stepped forward, bowed, and asked, “Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance… Are we searching for cattle now… for military rations, or is there some deeper purpose?” “Not all the cows.” Lin Xiao shook his head, picked up a charcoal pencil, and drew a pattern on a wooden board with a few strokes. It was a cow’s udder, with several round, scabby pustules on it. He pointed at the picture and spoke in a firm voice. “What I’m looking for is a cow that has had this kind of ‘pox’! I call it, cowpox!” “Whoever finds the first live cow that matches the pattern and delivers it safely to the Institute of Gewu will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!” Cowpox? A thousand taels of gold?! The entire Gewuyuan was in an uproar in an instant. Everyone stared with wide eyes at the strange picture on the wooden board, then looked at Lin Xiao, their minds in a mess. How could the pox on cows and smallpox on humans, two completely unrelated things, be related? And offering a reward of a thousand gold? This is too… ridiculous. Chapter 438: Using Cowpox to Defeat Smallpox Lin Xiao’s eyes swept across the faces filled with confusion, suspicion and even absurdity, then he turned around calmly and walked back to the microscope. He signaled to his personal guard to carefully bring up something tightly wrapped in oil paper. When the oil paper was peeled off, a foul odor instantly filled the air. It was a small piece of cloth taken from a smallpox child, stained with pus and blood scabs. As everyone retreated in fear, Lin Xiao remained expressionless. He used a thin glass rod to scrape an invisible sample from the blood scab, skillfully made it into a glass slide, and placed it under a microscope. “Lu Jin, come and see.” Lu Jin suppressed the churning in his stomach, held his breath, and imitated what he had done before, moving his eyes closer. With just one glance, he froze. In that microscopic world, besides the various “bugs” I had seen before, there were also more, even finer, almost indistinguishable dust like objects floating around. The entire scene was filled with the smell of death and decay. “Did you see that?” Lin Xiao’s voice rang out from the side. “Those squirming things are bacteria in the pus. But the truly deadly ones are those things you can’t see clearly, thousands of times smaller than bacteria. I call them viruses.” He paused, his voice filled with unquestionable authority. “Cowpox is their nemesis!” These words exploded in Lu Jin’s mind like a thunderclap. Invisible virus! Cowpox is the nemesis! Although he still couldn’t understand the principle behind it, Lin Xiao’s firm tone and the disgusting picture under the microscope replaced the absurdity in his heart with an inexplicable awe. If the king says it is possible, then it must be possible! The king offered a reward of a thousand gold coins to find a cow with a strange pox to cure smallpox! This news spread throughout the entire Zhenbei Kingdom as if it had wings, faster than the plague. When the people heard this, their first reaction was confusion. Can cow pox cure humans? How does this work? But then, there was a frenzy without any reason. “What the king said, how could it be false?” “That’s right! When has the king ever made a mistake? If he says a cow can save lives, then a cow can save lives!” “What are you still standing there for? Go home and check on your own cowshed! It’s worth a thousand taels of gold!” Suddenly, a vigorous “cow search campaign” swept across the entire Zhenbei Kingdom. Countless civilians, soldiers, and officials rushed frantically to cattle sheds and pastures across the country, carefully comparing each cow with the patterns printed in the newspapers. Day 5. An urgent telegram was sent to the Gewuyuan from a small town three hundred miles away. Found it! When the yellow ox with several half healed pox scabs on its body was escorted by heavy troops and sent into the Gewuyuan like a victorious general, the whole courtyard was in an uproar. Lin Xiao personally stepped forward and carefully checked the yellow cow. After confirming that it was correct, a long lost smile appeared on his face. He turned around and faced Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan and others who had been waiting there, as well as all the students from the medical school. “Prepare for surgery.” Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lin Xiao changed into a white coat, donned a mask and gloves, and repeatedly disinfected a sharp knife with strong liquor and boiling water. Then, he personally walked to the side of the yellow cow, and under everyone’s breathless gaze, he accurately cut open a cowpox pustule that had not yet fully healed, and used a clean glass tube to carefully suck out the pale yellow pus inside. This was the first dose of cowpox vaccine in human history. Looking at the little bit of turbid liquid in the glass tube, everyone present felt the absurdity and a hint of fear from the bottom of their hearts. Use this thing… to treat smallpox? Lin Xiao sealed the vaccine and handed it to Lu Jin beside him, then took off his gloves and calmly announced a decision that scared everyone to death. “Go, bring a prisoner out from death row.” “This king will personally vaccinate him.” “What?!” “Your Majesty, please think twice!” Li Dequan was the first to rush forward, his face pale as he dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty! This method… this method has never been used before! What if… what if the poison in this cow kills someone? Then… wouldn’t that mean…” “Yes, Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan was sweating profusely from anxiety. “This is too weird. How about…trying it on chickens and ducks first?” Everyone panicked. Use pus from the cow and inject it into the human body. In their opinion, this is not curing the disease, it is killing people and using evil magic! Lin Xiao looked at the people kneeling down and shook his head. He knew that without hard facts, he would never be able to convince them. “No need to say more, I have made up my mind.” Soon, a tall death row prisoner wearing handcuffs and shackles was brought over by two soldiers. The condemned man, with his face covered in flesh and fierce eyes, originally looked fearless. But when he understood that he was going to be injected with pus from a cow, his face instantly lost all color in fear. “No… no… I don’t want it!” He struggled desperately, his shackles making a harsh sound on the ground. “I’d rather be stabbed than turn into a cow! I don’t want to become an animal after I die!” In his understanding, the result of being injected with the “poison” of a cow is to become a half human, half bull monster. Lin Xiao ignored his crying and just nodded to Lu Jin beside him. Lu Jin took a deep breath, holding the glass tube containing cowpox pus, and walked towards the death row prisoner step by step. At this moment, Lin Xiao spoke lightly. “May I have your name?” The prisoner shuddered all over, stopped struggling, and stared blankly at Lin Xiao. “Reply… reply to the king… my name is… my name is Zhou Hu…” “What crime did you commit?” “Stopped… robbed people on the road, killed… killed two people…” Zhou Hu’s voice became lower and lower, and his head drooped. “According to the law, you deserve death, but you deserve it more than you deserve.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm. “Now, I’ll give you a chance. If this method succeeds, not only will you be exonerated, but you will also be a hero to the people of Zhenbei. Your family will enjoy the kingdom’s support for generations to come.” The death row prisoner suddenly raised his head and stared at Lin Xiao blankly. The fear in his fierce eyes slowly faded away, replaced by a light of disbelief. He was a murderous villain who deserved death, but now the king said that he had a chance to become a hero? He looked at Lin Xiao’s deep and confident eyes and suddenly understood something. He struggled to straighten his back, and the shackles rattled. “Alright!” the condemned man roared, his eyes ablaze with a fearless fervor. “To be able to test the medicine for the king and to plead for a way out for the people of this world, my miserable life is worth it! Come on!” He closed his eyes, stretched out his arms, and looked calm as if he was ready to be killed. Chapter 439: Entering the Cold Palace The laboratory fell into silence again. Li Dequan and others opened their mouths but couldn’t say a word. Seeing this, Lin Xiao nodded, took a sterilized steel needle from Lu Jin and dipped it in a little cowpox pus. He walked up to Zhou Hu, gently cut a small wound on Zhou Hu’s arm, and steadily smeared the little bit of light yellow pus on it. After doing all this, Lin Xiao stood up. “Take him away and keep him under close watch. Record all his daily changes.” The next few days were an unprecedented ordeal for everyone in the Institute of Gewu. Zhou Hu was placed in an isolated room and was cared for by a special person. The first day was safe and sound. The next day, the vaccination site was slightly red and swollen, and Zhou Hu began to have a slight fever. Everyone’s heart was in their throat. On the third day, Zhou Hu continued to have a low fever, but he was in good spirits and had a normal appetite. On the fourth day, the fever subsided and the redness and swelling began to dissipate. On the seventh day, Zhou Hu was already full of life. Apart from a small scar on his arm, there was nothing unusual about him. Everyone was stunned. Just…it’s over like this? Just as everyone was looking at each other, wondering whether this was a success or a failure, Lin Xiao issued the second order. “Give Zhou Hu the clothes stained with pus and blood that the smallpox patient had worn.” As soon as this order came out, everyone felt a tingling sensation on their scalp. Zhou Hu didn’t hesitate at all and put on the smelly clothes in front of everyone. one day…… Two days… Three days… Five full days passed. Zhou Hu could eat and sleep well, and was as strong as a bull. Not only did he not have a fever or acne, he didn’t even sneeze! When this result was announced publicly by Lu Jin in a trembling voice in the square of Gewuyuan. The whole place was dead silent. Everyone’s eyes widened, their mouths agape, as if they were under a spell, unable to move. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. The next second, it was as if a volcano that had been accumulating for a hundred years suddenly erupted! “Success!” “Oh my god! It really worked!” “Your Majesty is a divine being! Your Majesty is a true God descended to earth!” I don’t know who took the lead first, but everyone, whether it was the highly respected Li Dequan or the honest and upright Zhang Fuan, all went crazy and knelt down in unison towards Lin Xiao who was standing on the steps! “Plop!” “Plop!” The sounds of people kneeling down came one after another and became one continuous sound. The look they gave Lin Xiao was no longer one of admiration or awe. That is like looking at a living Bodhisattva walking among the people, saving people from suffering! Soon, this news spread like thunder across the entire Zhenbei Kingdom through the special edition of the Zhenbei Daily and radio stations across the country. “Breaking News! Breaking News! The King has discovered a divine remedy bestowed by Heaven, using cowpox to defeat smallpox! The plague can be cured! The plague can be cured!” The cries of newsboys echoed in every street. In an instant, all the people who had been hiding in their homes, trembling in fear, rushed out. They frantically grabbed newspapers, and when they saw the words “Cowpox beats smallpox” printed in the largest font, the fear, despair, and depression that had been pent up for days turned into tears of ecstasy. “Woo woo woo… We’re saved! We’re saved!” “Your Majesty! It was Your Majesty who saved us!” Countless people hugged each other and cried, and even more people spontaneously knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately towards the direction of the palace. At this moment, the worship of Lin Xiao transcended the relationship between monarch and subject, and transcended faith, reaching an unprecedented peak. Capital city, imperial palace, Fengyi Palace. In stark contrast to the universal celebration in Zhenbei Kingdom, there is dead silence here. The air was filled with a strong smell of medicine, but it couldn’t suppress the heart pounding sickness. Liu Weilan was lying on the bed, conscious and unconscious. The burning sensation seemed to melt her bones. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy. She vaguely heard the weeping of the palace maids, the sighing of the imperial physician, and the whisper that made her fall into an ice cellar. “It’s smallpox…” “The pulse is weak and the fever won’t subside. Even a god can’t save me…” “Hurry… hurry and report to His Majesty!” She used all her strength to raise her trembling hand and touched her skin. What she felt at her fingertips was not the smooth touch she used to have, but a patch of bumpy, hot pustules. Despair, like cold sea water, instantly drowned her. At this moment, the palace door was roughly pushed open from the outside. Li Yan, wearing a dragon robe, strode in. Instead of walking to the bed, he covered his mouth and nose with his sleeves in disgust, his brows tightly locked. “Your Majesty…” The imperial doctors knelt on the ground trembling with fear. Li Yan’s eyes swept over the unrecognizable woman on the bed. There was no trace of pity in his eyes, only offended anger and disgust. He was recently working on a nine link Luban lock, and was just one step away from finishing it, when this woman showed up to cause him trouble! Catching this kind of disease was truly unlucky! It was a bad omen! “Useless things!” Li Yan pointed at the imperial physician’s nose and cursed, “What’s the point of keeping a bunch of you useless people! You can’t even cure a cold!” He didn’t even glance at Liu Weilan lying on the bed, as if she were some dirty object. He shouted in a cold voice, “Pass on my decree! Empress Liu has failed in her moral conduct and contracted a serious illness. This is a warning from heaven! Effective immediately, the Empress is deposed, banished to the cold palace, and confined for life to fend for herself!” “Your Majesty!” An old doctor looked up in horror and wanted to give advice. “Drag him out!” Li Yan angrily kicked him away. “Anyone who dares to say another word will be guilty of the same crime!” Amidst everyone’s silence, two eunuchs stepped forward and roughly dragged the sick Liu Weilan off the bed. Liu Weilan’s consciousness became a little clearer at this moment. She looked at the man with a face full of violence and impatience, her nominal husband, and the last bit of tenderness in her heart turned to ashes. She didn’t cry or beg for mercy, but just let them drag her through the cold palace path. “Bang—” The door to the cold palace slammed shut behind her, the sound of the chains harsh and heartless. Liu Weilan was thrown on the cold bed, which was dark, damp, and filled with the lingering musty smell. The high fever made her tremble all over, the pustules on her skin caused stinging pain, and her strength was slowly draining away from her body. She thought of Liu Ruyan, the train and telephone that Lin Xiao took her to see, and the satisfied smiles of the women beside their sewing machines in the Zhenbei Daily. That is another world, a world full of vitality and hope. But she was going to die in this cold, hopeless cage. A tear slid down from the corner of her eye. Chapter 440 The King’s Order to Save the People Zhenbei Kingdom, the royal palace study. Lin Xiao is urgently discussing the large scale production and vaccination plan of cowpox vaccine with Song Qinghe, Lu Jin and others. “Your Majesty, with our current capabilities, it will probably take several months to vaccinate all the people in the territory.” Song Qinghe pointed at the map with an embarrassed look on his face. “Time waits for no one.” Lin Xiao frowned slightly. “Simplify the process and set up vaccination sites in counties. Vaccinate children infected with smallpox first. Speed is essential!” Just then, an official from the Intelligence Department hurried in and handed an encrypted telegram to Lin Xiao. “Your Majesty, secret report from the capital.” Lin Xiao unfolded the telegram and scanned it quickly. When he saw the words “The queen contracted smallpox, was deposed, and locked up in the cold palace”, his brows slowly frowned. He remembered the woman with eyes full of shock when she looked down at the earth from high in the sky; he remembered the incredible and admiring look in her eyes when she heard her sister’s voice in the phone booth; he remembered her ashamed look when she was held in his arms, her body stiff but she dared not resist. Now, the noble and elegant queen was abandoned in the cold palace because of smallpox. Li Yan… You are a complete piece of trash. In the study, Song Qinghe, Lu Jin and others had just been having a heated discussion about the production plan of the cowpox vaccine, but now they all became quiet and looked at their king with some uneasiness. They all felt the cold aura that flashed across Lin Xiao’s body. Lin Xiao withdrew his thoughts, raised his eyes, and his face had returned to its usual calmness, as if the secret report just now was just insignificant gossip. “Vaccine production and vaccination plans must be accelerated.” His voice was steady, without any emotion. “Don’t be afraid of losses. Human lives are more important than anything else.” “Yes!” Song Qinghe, Lu Jin and others were startled and quickly bowed in response, drawing all their attention back to the war against the plague. Zhenbei Wangjia First Hospital. A special quarantine area was set up here to treat the first group of children found to be infected with smallpox. A few days ago, this place was like hell on earth, filled with the painful groans of children due to high fever and the suppressed desperate cries of their parents. But now, it is so quiet that it is almost eerie. A young mother was staring at her child’s face. The little face that was once covered in pustules and swollen with redness was now completely dried up and scabbed, as if it would fall off at any moment. The child’s breathing was steady and strong, and the heat on his forehead had long since subsided. A doctor in a white coat came over, examined the child, and said to the mother with a smile, “Congratulations, you’re all right now. The fever has gone away, and the scabs will fall off soon. Most importantly, there won’t be any scars left.” The mother listened blankly, as if she didn’t understand. She stretched out her trembling hand, gently touched the child’s smooth forehead, and looked at the healing scabs. The next second, she suddenly covered her mouth. The fear and despair that had accumulated for countless days and nights suddenly burst out at this moment, turning into silent tears that surged down. She staggered back two steps and knelt down heavily in front of a portrait of Lin Xiao hanging on the wall. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” She held the sleeping child in her arms, and banged her forehead against the cold ground again and again with all her strength, crying inconsolably. This earth shaking news completely detonated the entire Zhenbei Kingdom through the special edition of the Zhenbei Daily and the ubiquitous radio stations. “Breaking News! Breaking News! The King has bestowed divine power upon us! The first batch of patients in the quarantine area have all been cured!” “Long live the king!” I don’t know who was the first to shout out in which market. Immediately afterwards, thunderous cheers rose into the sky from every county town, every township, and every village! “Long live the king!!” “Long live the king!!!” Countless people rushed to the streets, hugging each other and crying, wild with joy. The shadow of death that had been weighing on their hearts was completely dispelled, replaced by an almost miraculous worship and fanaticism for Lin Xiao. The horrific plague that was enough to severely damage any dynasty or even cause it to fall apart was swiftly eradicated in Zhenbei Kingdom with a devastating force. Royal Palace, Council Hall. The haze that had just hung over everyone’s heads had now dissipated. Everyone’s face was filled with joy of surviving the disaster and pride in the honor. “Your Majesty, we have it under control here, but over in the Great Zhou…” Li Dequan put away his smile and solemnly unfolded a report. “It’s completely chaotic. According to spies, several populous provinces in the Central Plains are plagued by epidemics. Corpses can be seen everywhere on the roads, and there are even entire villages wiped out. To prevent the spread of the epidemic, the government has set fire to the village, a brutal method. Now, countless refugees, unable to survive, are pouring towards our border like crazy.” Sun Mingde frowned upon hearing this and said, “Your Majesty, I suggest that all passes be sealed immediately! We have just stabilized the situation, and we must not allow refugees from the Great Zhou to bring the virus in again!” His words were echoed by many officials. This is not cold blooded, but the safest response. In the conference room, everyone’s eyes were focused on Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao slowly stood up and walked to the huge sand table map. He looked at the vast territory of the Great Zhou with calm eyes. “Block?” He said calmly, “That’s something only Li Yan would do.” He stretched out his finger and drew a line on the map, from the border of Zhenbei Kingdom all the way to the heartland of Da Zhou. “Why are we blocking the way? Those struggling to survive plague and famine are not a problem; they are the people who are waiting for us. They are the future citizens of our Zhenbei Kingdom.” When these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked. Song Qinghe and others opened their mouths wide, unable to believe their ears. Your Majesty…are you going to take over the entire mess of the Great Zhou? “The Great Zhou court can’t save them, so I will.” Lin Xiao’s tone left no room for doubt. “They hate the court for leaving them to fend for themselves, so we will give them hope of survival. They will sell their lives to whoever can give them a way out.” He turned around and glanced at Li Dequan. “Li Dequan!” “The old minister is here!” Li Dequan was shocked and stepped out excitedly. “I order you to immediately form a Zhenbei National Aid Zhou Medical Team!” “Take the doctors from the Health Department and the students from the Medical College as the backbone, carry sufficient smallpox vaccine, medicine to treat dysentery, and plenty of food, and set off immediately!” “Set up a refugee camp in Da Zhou! Treat their illnesses, feed them, and clothe them!” “At the same time, send an elite team deep into the epidemic zone of Great Zhou to publicize our Zhenbei Kingdom’s epidemic prevention methods and rescue those desperate people!” There was deathly silence in the meeting room. Everyone was shocked by Lin Xiao’s words. Tears streamed down Li Dequan’s old face. He knelt down heavily, his voice trembling with excitement. “Your Majesty…I accept your order!!” “I, your honored minister, will live up to your majesty’s trust and spread your benevolence and divine power throughout every inch of the Great Zhou!” Chapter 441: Zhenbei In the backyard of the palace, Liu Ruyan sat restlessly, her heart as if immersed in ice water. She held the secret report from the capital, her fingertips were cold and the paper was slightly wrinkled. “Sister, she…how could this happen…” she murmured to herself, her eyes full of disbelief and deep worry. The noble and dignified elder sister who had protected her since childhood was now deposed, locked up in the cold palace, infected with smallpox, and left to fend for herself. “It’s fine.” Lin Xiao’s voice came from behind. He walked forward and gently embraced Liu Ruyan in his arms. Liu Ruyan leaned on his chest, and the pent up fear and helplessness finally found an outlet, her shoulders trembling slightly. “That bastard Li Yan! How could he treat my sister like this!” “Don’t worry, she won’t die as long as I’m here.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm and firm, as if he was stating an established fact. He let go of Liu Ruyan, turned around, and gave a few instructions to his guards. Soon, two specially made wooden boxes were delivered. In a box, dozens of smallpox vaccines sealed in glass tubes were neatly stacked. In another smaller box, contained in a container with layers of protection, was a sample of a virulent virus extracted from a child with smallpox that he had specially preserved. Liu Ruyan looked at the two boxes, somewhat puzzled. Lin Xiao patted the back of her hand, his eyes revealing a hint of comfort, “I’ll be back soon.” Before he finished speaking, he had already jumped onto the back of the furry ball that had been waiting in the yard, carrying two boxes. The golden giant eagle let out a long and clear cry, flapped its wings, and turned into a golden light, tearing through the clouds and flying straight towards the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Da Zhou, the border between Qingzhou and Yuzhou. The official roads were littered with starving people, and the air was filled with the stench of decay. A man named Li San was sitting under a dead, crooked tree, staring at the gray sky with empty eyes. Half a month ago, he still had a home. But the plague came quickly and violently. First, the neighbor’s house was silenced, then Muramasa’s house, and then his own house. He watched his parents cough up blood and die, and watched his wife run a high fever and talk nonsense, and finally die in his arms. The entire village, with more than a hundred people, was gone. Government officials came once, not to rescue people, but to pile up firewood at the entrance of the village. The fire burned the entire village, including those who were still alive, to ashes. He escaped the disaster by chance because he left the village to find water. But now, he also felt that he was not going to be able to continue. His whole body was hot and cold, and there were big lumps under his armpits, which were extremely painful. He knew that he had also been infected with the deadly plague. Despair flooded him like a tide. He didn’t want to be burned to charcoal, he just wanted to find a place to wait for death quietly. Just as his consciousness was becoming blurred and he thought he was about to meet his parents and wife, a series of orderly and heavy footsteps came closer and closer. Li San opened his eyes with difficulty. He saw a team. A team he had never seen before. Those people were all wearing strange snow white clothes that covered them from head to toe, and had transparent eye masks on their faces, revealing only their bright eyes. They acted quickly and had a clear division of labor. Some people quickly set up tents on the roadside, some carried large buckets and sprayed pungent medicine, and others set up large pots and began to boil water to cook porridge. At the front of the team, a black flag fluttered in the wind, with two large Chinese characters embroidered on it in a flamboyant style Zhenbei. Zhenbei? A light flashed through Li San’s cloudy mind. Was that the territory of that traitor Lin Xiao? Before he had time to think about it, two “weird guys” also wearing white protective suits walked up to him. He thought these people were going to drag him away and burn him like the soldiers, so he was so scared that he shrank back desperately. But one of them just squatted down, put something cold on his forehead, and said something to his companion. Soon, he was carefully carried onto a stretcher and taken into a newly erected white tent. The tent was very clean and there was no strange smell. He was placed on a simple camp bed and someone brought him a bowl of steaming white rice porridge and a bowl of warm water. Li San has forgotten how long it has been since he last saw white rice or drank clean hot water. He wolfed down the porridge and water, and finally felt a hint of warmth in his body. Immediately afterwards, a young doctor in a white coat came over and gave him an injection in the arm. The cold medicine was injected into his body and Li San fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up again, it was already early the next morning. He was surprised to find that his high fever had subsided and the lump under his armpit had become much smaller. Although he still felt weak, the feeling of being on the verge of death had disappeared. He survived. He looked around and saw a dozen refugees in the tent who had been rescued from the roadside like him. Everyone was given porridge, changed into clean clothes, and injected with medicine. He watched the Zhenbei soldiers, who were called “doctors,” busying themselves efficiently and orderly between the tents, saving every dying compatriot. Thinking of the ruthless fire that burned the village by the Zhou Dynasty, Li San’s eyes instantly turned red. He struggled to get out of bed, walked to the door of the tent, and knelt down heavily towards the north, in the direction of the Zhenbei Kingdom, using all his strength. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” His forehead hit the solid ground and he could not utter a word. Only hot tears silently slid down his face. The same scene was constantly being played out in epidemic areas throughout the Great Zhou. Countless people who were desperately waiting to die in famine and plague were saved by the Zhenbei medical team that came out of nowhere. They do not steal food or occupy land. They only bring medicine, food and hope to survive. Gradually, the saying “The Great Zhou court doesn’t care whether we live or die, it was the King of Zhenbei who sent people to save our lives” spread quietly among the refugees. Later, this sentence became “The King of Zhenbei is a living Bodhisattva who has come to the world to save people from suffering!” Folk beliefs began to collapse silently, and then madly converged in a new direction. Capital city, on top of the city wall. Zhou Mubai stood by the railing, the north wind blowing his gray temples. His gaze passed over the lifeless city walls and looked outside the city. There, a huge refugee camp rose from the ground, stretching for miles. Unlike the dead silence and despair in the city, in the camp, the tents were neatly arranged, smoke rose from cooking fires, and everything was in order. The Zhenbei medical team, wearing white protective suits, shuttled back and forth in the camp. New refugees were constantly being taken in, and recovered people were constantly helping with work in the camp. Look back at the city. The streets were deserted, every house was closed, and the air was filled with the strong smell of medicine and the faint stench of corpses. In order to prevent the epidemic from breaking out in the city, the imperial guards blocked all the streets and locked the sick people in their homes, leaving them to fend for themselves. How ironic! Zhou Mubai slowly closed his eyes, a deep feeling of powerlessness surged through his body, and a hint of bitterness appeared at the corner of his mouth. The game is over. The people’s hearts, the most important thing in the world, no longer belong to the Great Zhou or the Li royal family. Lin Xiao has conquered the world without bloodshed. Chapter 442: Spring in the Cold Palace The night is as deep as ink. The capital, the imperial palace, the cold palace. The moonlight was obscured by thick dark clouds. A huge black shadow, like a ghost, silently cut through the night sky and landed precisely within the wall of the cold palace. The golden giant eagle folded its wings and landed silently. Lin Xiao jumped off the back of the fur ball. The yard had been unattended for years, and the knee high weeds swayed in the night wind, emitting a rotten smell. He pushed open the half open, cobweb covered door. A foul odor mixed with medicinal residue, mildew and decaying diseased bodies hit me in the face. There was no light in the house, only the cold moonlight shining through the broken window panes, illuminating the dusty floor and a lonely wooden bed. Liu Weilan was lying on the cold bed, dying. The queen, who was once the mother of the country and graceful and elegant, now had disheveled hair and her beautiful cheeks were covered with dark red pustules, looking particularly hideous in the moonlight. Her eyes were closed, her lips were cracked, her body was oscillating between uncontrollable heating and trembling, and her consciousness was already blurred. As if she sensed someone approaching, her eyelashes trembled and she opened her eyes a little with difficulty. In the hazy vision, a tall and straight figure stood quietly in front of the bed against the moonlight. The face could not be seen clearly, but there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Is it… him? In Liu Weilan’s blurred vision, Lin Xiao’s silhouette appeared. Yes, before a person dies, they always see the person they most want to see, or the person who impressed them the most. It was he who took me to the sky, overlooking two completely different worlds. It was also him who, in the train compartment, used his scorching chest to tyrannically imprison me… It turned out that I actually remembered him. A line of clear tears silently slid down the corners of her burning eyes and sank into her dirty hair. Lin Xiao looked at the dying woman on the bed with a frown on his face. He no longer hesitated, took out a wooden box from his arms, opened it, and inside were doses of cowpox vaccine sealed in glass tubes. He pulled out one, then a thin steel needle and passed it over the liquor, his movements skillful and calm. He gently lifted Liu Weilan’s arm, found a relatively intact piece of skin, and inserted the needle tip contaminated with the vaccine. There was not a single unnecessary word during the entire process. After doing all this, he did not leave. He just moved a dusty stool over, wiped it, and sat quietly beside the bed, guarding her. One night passed quietly in this dead silent cold palace. When the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon, the mottled morning light dispelled the chill in the house. Liu Weilan’s eyelashes trembled again and she slowly opened her eyes. Consciousness, unprecedented clarity. The burning sensation that felt like it was melting my bones disappeared, replaced by a long lost sense of comfort and lightness. She subconsciously raised her hand and touched her cheek. What felt from the fingertips was not the expected bumpy and horrible pustules, but a smooth and delicate skin, even smoother than before the illness. She was stunned, sat up suddenly, and grabbed a cracked bronze mirror beside the bed. What’s going on? In the mirror, although the face still had a bit of paleness from the illness, it had regained its former beauty, and even had a bit more breathtaking beauty. Most of those hideous pustules had disappeared, leaving only some faint red marks, and they were still fading at a speed visible to the naked eye. This… this is a miracle! She put down the bronze mirror blankly and turned her gaze to the bed. Lin Xiao just sat there, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, a look of fatigue on his face from having been on guard all night. Seeing him, the high wall in Liu Weilan’s heart, which was built with etiquette, status and reason, collapsed at this moment and turned to ashes. When she was terminally ill, Li Yan only had disgusted eyes and cold imperial edicts. Lin Xiao traveled thousands of miles, descended from the sky when she was most desperate and ugliest, and stayed with her all night. One is the husband who pushed her into hell. One is the God who rescued her from hell. Liu Weilan could no longer control herself and suddenly pounced forward, ignoring the slight weakness still on her body, and threw herself into Lin Xiao’s arms regardless of everything. Lin Xiao was awakened by her movements. As soon as he opened his eyes, a pair of soft and trembling lips pressed heavily against him. Awkward, clumsy, but with a reckless determination. Lin Xiao was slightly startled, then he put his arms around her slender waist, and a strong aura of aggression instantly enveloped her. He turned over and pressed her under him. A cold palace and a dilapidated wooden bed. Amid the “creaking” sound, the spring scenery is boundless. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability: 34+10! Current favorability: 44!] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning the reward: “Detailed Explanation of Steelmaking and Alloy Technology”!] Lin Xiao was delighted. Steelmaking and alloying technology! This is the backbone of the Industrial Revolution! With this, guns, steam engines, and even more sophisticated machinery will usher in a qualitative leap! After an unknown amount of time, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped. Liu Weilan curled up in Lin Xiao’s arms, like a kitten that had found a harbor, with an unprecedented satisfaction and peace of mind on her face. She had never imagined that the relationship between a man and a woman could be so… soul stirring. “Will you come with me?” Lin Xiao asked softly, stroking her smooth back. Liu Weilan’s body stiffened slightly. Leave here? Go to Zhenbeiguo and be his woman? Infinite yearning surged in her heart, but her father, brother, family, and the identity of the Queen of the Great Zhou emerged in her mind. She could not care about Li Yan, but if she just left like that, the entire Liu family would probably be liquidated by the furious Li Yan. She hesitated. The eyes that were just full of love and dependence now had a hint of struggle and bitterness. She shook her head. Lin Xiao saw her concerns and didn’t force her. He knew that some things could not be let go just by saying so. He gently lifted her chin and placed a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead. “wait for me.” After saying this, he put on his clothes and left quietly, just as silently as he came. Liu Weilan looked at his disappearing back and buried her face in the quilt that still retained his scent. Tears rolled down her face again, but this time, they were hot and sweet. Wait for him. good. A few days later, the plague that was raging in the Great Zhou was miraculously brought under control thanks to the strong intervention of the Zhenbei Kingdom medical team. In the territory of Zhenbei, smallpox has long ceased to be a threat due to the widespread promotion of the cowpox vaccine. As one thing grows stronger, the other declines, and “If I had a son, I wish he would be like Lin Xiao; if I were to serve the people, I would go to Zhenbei” is no longer just a slogan. In Zhenbei Country, Lin Xiao’s prestige has reached an unprecedented peak. Countless people of the Great Zhou regarded the distant north as the only paradise and hope on earth. Chapter 443 Industrial Backbone Zhenbei Palace, backyard. Lin Xiao came back quickly with a ball of fur. He lay lazily in the rocking chair with his eyes closed, and his whole body exuded a sense of leisure. However, a huge storm was brewing in his mind. Countless pieces of knowledge about “Detailed Explanation of Steelmaking and Alloy Technology” are turning into a torrent of information and pouring in crazily. From the most basic pig iron smelting to the towering modern blast furnace; from ordinary carbon steel to extremely hard tungsten steel, light and tough aluminum alloy, wear resistant bearing steel, elastic spring steel… a series of sophisticated and incredible industrial blueprints unfolded, disassembled and reorganized in his mind. It’s an indescribable comfort. If the steam engine is the heart of the Industrial Revolution, then alloy technology is the backbone that supports this huge body! With these, his muskets could be made more sophisticated, have a longer range, and last longer. His steam engines could be made larger, more powerful, and more efficient. Everything from scalpels and sewing needles to train tracks and the keels of 10,000 ton ships will undergo a complete transformation. Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, his deep eyes flashing with an irrepressible brilliance, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised up in a smug arc. He sat up straight, his leisurely demeanor instantly disappearing, replaced by an eager sharpness. “Someone come!” A personal guard immediately stepped forward. “Tell Zhang Fuan to come see me immediately.” “yes!” In the workshop area, Zhang Fuan was shirtless and sweating profusely as he directed the craftsmen to assemble a new steam engine. At this moment, a royal guard came galloping over on a fast horse. “Master Zhang! The King has summoned you to the study for a meeting!” Zhang Fuan’s whole body trembled, and the wrench in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. The king summoned! Every time the king summons, it means that an earth shattering divine object is about to appear! “Quick! Bring me some clothes!” Zhang Fuan’s face flushed with excitement. He hurriedly put on a clean coat. Without even wiping the sweat off his face, he jogged towards the palace. He looked like a hungry dog seeing a bone, full of extreme desire and expectation. He ran all the way, thinking all the time. What magical thing will the king come up with this time? In the study. Lin Xiao had been waiting here for a long time. On the long table in front of him were several huge blueprints. Zhang Fuan rushed in like a gust of wind, and behind him, Lu Jin, who had heard the news, also followed in. As the head of the Academy of Gewu, Lu Jin also has an almost fanatical pilgrimage heart for every new invention of the king. “Your Majesty!” The two of them saluted together, but their eyes were involuntarily drawn to the drawings on the table. “No need to be polite, just come and take a look.” Lin Xiao pointed at the blueprint. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin came forward and took a look. The excitement and anticipation on their faces froze instantly. On the drawing was a huge monster that they had never seen before. That thing was like a tall tower, standing upright. Its internal structure was intricate and complicated, with all kinds of pipes, air vents, and furnaces densely marked. It was so complicated that it made one’s scalp tingle. Next to it, there is a strange container in the shape of a wine barrel, with three words marked below it converter. What’s this? Zhang Fuan was a top notch carpenter and blacksmith, while Lu Jin was the most knowledgeable scholar in the Academy of Gewu. But they both stared with their eyes wide open, turning the drawing over and over for a long time, but they still couldn’t understand what this scribble like thing was used for. They knew the drawings of each component, but putting them together was completely beyond their comprehension. This thing… feels a hundred times more complicated than a steam engine! The two looked at each other, and saw the same confusion in each other’s eyes. This is simply a heavenly book! Seeing the two men scratching their heads and looking confused, Lin Xiao smiled. He picked up a thin wooden pole and knocked on the furnace of the tower on the blueprint. “Do you know why the iron we refine now is so brittle and hard that it’s useless?” Zhang Fuan answered honestly, “Your Majesty, it’s because there are too many impurities in the molten iron. It takes a hundred times of refining to make steel. It’s time consuming and laborious, and it may not be successful.” “You’re half right.” Lin Xiao shook his head. “Impurities are one thing, but more importantly, there’s too much ‘carbon’ in there. And to remove these, relying solely on your current small furnace, the temperature isn’t high enough, and the efficiency is too low.” He pointed to the bottom of the blast furnace and said, “If we want high temperatures, we can’t use ordinary coal as fuel.” “If not coal, what can we use? Charcoal?” Lu Jin asked in confusion. The fire power of charcoal is indeed purer than that of coal, but the heat is far from enough. “Use coke.” Lin Xiao spit out two words. “Coal?” They both asked in unison, their faces full of question marks. “Isolate the coal from the air, dry distill it, and roast it to remove the sulfur, phosphorus, and other impurities. What’s left is coke,” Lin Xiao explained calmly. “Using it, the furnace temperature can easily exceed 1,200 degrees without making the steel brittle.” Coal… can still be used for baking? Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin’s brains froze instantly. This operation was completely beyond their understanding. Lin Xiao didn’t give them much time to think. He moved the wooden pole upwards and pointed at the densely packed pipes. “It’s not enough to have good fuel. The wind blowing in can’t be cold either.” “Wind…wind can be divided into cold and hot?” Zhang Fuan felt his tongue was enlarged. “Of course.” Lin Xiao smiled. “Collect the exhaust gas from the blast furnace and use its heat to preheat the incoming air. Blowing hot air into the furnace will make the coke burn more intensely and at a higher temperature, and it will also save a lot of fuel.” These words, like a bolt of lightning, split Lu Jin’s chaotic mind. He shuddered and muttered to himself, “Utilizing…wasted heat…and reinvesting it…Oh my god, this…this is a cycle! Your Majesty, this is simply a gift from heaven and earth!” Although Zhang Fuan didn’t quite understand what cycle meant, he understood “saving fuel” and “higher temperature”, which was a divine oracle for a craftsman! Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction, and the wooden pole finally fell on the inner wall of the stove. “With enough heat, the bricks and stones you have now will melt like wax. So, we need a kind of brick that can withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees. I call it refractory brick.” Coke, hot air, refractory bricks… Every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin’s hearts hard, smashing the common sense they had built up over the past few decades. They originally thought that iron smelting was just about burning iron ore and fuel together, but what the king described was a completely new system that was interconnected and extremely sophisticated. From the purification of fuel, to the recycling of energy, to the material of the container, every step contains profound principles that they have never heard of. How can this still be called iron smelting? This is clearly creating a new world! The two of them stood there blankly, from initial confusion to gradual shock, and finally, the shock turned into unparalleled fanaticism. The look he gave Lin Xiao was as if he was looking up to the God of Creation. Chapter 444: Fire in the Steel City “thump!” Zhang Fuan’s legs went weak and he knelt down heavily. He looked at Lin Xiao, his lips trembling, and he couldn’t utter a complete sentence for a long time. Lu Jin also knelt down, pressing his forehead deeply against the cold ground. His voice was hoarse and enthusiastic: “Today, I finally understand the true meaning of ‘investigating things to gain knowledge’! Your Majesty’s learning is the learning of the creation of the world!” Lin Xiao accepted their greeting calmly. He walked to the huge sand table map, picked up a small red flag, and planted it at the junction of an area with extremely rich iron ore and coal resources. “I want you here,” he said, his voice calm, yet filled with undeniable power, “to build a city.” “A city that exists for only one purpose—to defend the northern kingdom and forge the strongest industrial backbone!” He turned around, his eyes sweeping over the two people kneeling on the ground, and said word by word, “This city will be named Steel City!” Zhang Fuan was so excited that he suddenly raised his head and issued a military order with each word in a sonorous voice: “Your Majesty! Please entrust this important task to me!” “I swear this oath! If I cannot build this sacred furnace for Your Majesty and create the sacred steel you speak of, I will personally jump into the furnace and offer sacrifices to Your Majesty!” A few months later, a brand new city rose from the ground in a vast wasteland in the eastern part of Zhenbei Kingdom. There are no pavilions or towers here, no bridges or flowing water, only straight and wide roads, and rows of neatly arranged workshops and dormitories. And in the very center of the city, a giant steel beast stood silently, pointing straight to the sky. It was the first blast furnace. The furnace, over ten feet tall, was wrapped in thick pipes and a complex steel structure. Just standing at its feet, one could feel a suffocating sense of oppression. Today is the day when the blast furnace is officially ignited. The entire steel city was deserted. Tens of thousands of craftsmen who participated in the construction of the city, officials responsible for allocating resources, and representatives who rushed over from all over the place after hearing the news surrounded the square under the blast furnace. Everyone looked up at the behemoth that was beyond their imagination, their faces filled with excitement, nervousness, and a hint of deep suspicion. “Old Zhang, do you think… this thing really works?” A foreman, rubbing his hands nervously, whispered to Zhang Fuan beside him, “I’ve been working as a blacksmith for half my life, and I’ve never seen iron smelting done this way. Isn’t this just a big chimney?” Zhang Fuan’s heart was also beating fast at this moment. He clenched his fists tightly and his palms were full of sweat. He turned around and glared at the man, lowering his voice and saying, “If the king says it works, it must work! Have you forgotten the steam engine? Forgot the train? When did the king ever miss it?” Having said that, his eyes were still fixed on the blast furnace, and his heart was beating wildly. In the crowd, Lu Jin led a group of students from the Academy of Gewu, each holding a notebook, taking notes and discussing excitedly. “Look at the design of the hot air duct. It uses waste heat for heating. It’s a stroke of genius!” “And the refractory bricks in the furnace. I’ve tested them, and even with a normal fire burning for half a day, they won’t even change color!” “Today, we will witness history with our own eyes!” Just then, there was a commotion among the crowd. Lin Xiao, protected by his personal guards, slowly walked up to the platform. He was dressed in casual clothes and had a calm expression, as if what he was about to ignite was not an industrial furnace that would overturn an era, but an ordinary stove. As soon as he appeared, the originally noisy square became quiet in an instant, and tens of thousands of eyes were focused on him, fanatical and pious. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything extra. His eyes swept across the entire audience and finally landed on Zhang Fuan. “The time has come, light the fire.” “yes!” Zhang Fuan took a deep breath, used all his strength, and roared out orders. “Open the bellows! Throw in the coke! Light the fire!” Once the order was given, the craftsmen who had been ready immediately took action. “Boom—” The huge bellows driven by several steam engines began to work, making a thunderous roar. The coke and iron ore that had been baked in advance were sent to the top of the furnace by a huge crane and poured down. One of the strongest craftsmen holds a long torch and sends it from the ignition port into the depths of the furnace. boom! A visible wave of heat gushed out from the cracks in the furnace. The fire was ignited! The roar of the bellows grew louder and louder, the furnace let out a low roar, and even the air became scorching hot. Tens of thousands of people in the square held their breath, each with a look of awe on their faces, looking up at the giant tower that was spewing flames. Time passes by minute by minute. One hour, two hours, three hours… The square was completely silent. Everyone was standing under the scorching sun, their necks sore from straining, but no one wanted to leave. They were all waiting, waiting for the moment when the “sacred steel” that the king had mentioned would appear in the world. Finally, as everyone expected, Lin Xiao raised his hand again. “Steel out!” Zhang Fuan was so frightened when he heard these two words that he almost crawled to the steel outlet and yelled to several equally nervous craftsmen, whose faces were covered in sweat, “Open the gate!” Several craftsmen worked together and used a thick iron rod to poke open the steel outlet that was sealed with refractory clay. Buzz—— In an instant, an extremely bright golden red light burst out from the steel outlet! The light was more dazzling than the sun, causing everyone to squint their eyes involuntarily. Immediately afterwards, a golden red torrent, like a roaring fire dragon, rushed out from the furnace mouth with a devastating momentum, and rushed forward along the guide chute! “ah!” Zhang Fuan and others who were closest to the scene were so frightened by the terrifying heat wave that they screamed and crawled backwards. But when they steadied themselves and saw the brilliant river formed by molten iron in front of them, everyone froze . There was deathly silence in the square. Tens of thousands of people were staring at the flowing fire dragon, watching it burn the stone slabs red wherever it passed. “Success…” Zhang Fuan muttered to himself, his lips trembling. The next second, he seemed to have used up all his strength and suddenly raised his arms and shouted: “Success! We succeeded!!” “oh!!!” After a brief silence, deafening cheers rose into the sky like a landslide and tsunami! Countless craftsmen threw away their tools, hugged each other and cried, rolling on the ground with excitement. Those officials who usually pay attention to their etiquette now completely disregarded their image, their faces flushed, and they clapped and roared desperately! Zhang Fuan could no longer control himself. He looked at the endless river of molten steel, then turned back to look at the calm figure on the platform. The tension, pressure, expectation and ecstasy that had been accumulated for months burst out at this moment. “Your Majesty! Long live the King!” He knelt down heavily, his forehead hitting the hot ground, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably. “Plop! Plop!” In the square, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians knelt down in a black mass like fallen dominoes. “Long live the king! Long live the Zhenbei Kingdom!” The fanatical shouts echoed for a long time over this city called the “Steel City”. Chapter 445 The Age of Steel The golden red molten steel flowed along the guide trough made of refractory clay and poured precisely into rows of rectangular sand molds that had been prepared long ago. The horrible heat wave burned people’s cheeks even though they were dozens of steps away. As time passed, the dazzling light gradually faded, the molten steel began to solidify, and the surface changed from bright gold to dark red. The craftsmen were already prepared. They used huge tongs to pick up ingots of hot steel and dropped them into the pool of water nearby. “Sizzle——” A huge amount of white steam suddenly rose up like a thick fog, instantly covering the entire area. When the steam dissipated, ingots of steel, dark in color and emitting a unique metallic luster, were neatly stacked on the ground. “Your Majesty…” Zhang Fuan’s voice trembled slightly. He turned to look at Lin Xiao on the high platform, his eyes full of questions. Lin Xiao nodded slightly. “Bring a sledgehammer!” Zhang Fuan turned around suddenly and shouted to a burly craftsman behind him. The craftsman was a famous strongman in Gangdu. Upon hearing this, he immediately came up with a special hammer weighing 100 pounds. “Hit it! Hit it with all your might!” “Okay!” The strong man roared, swung his arms, and smashed the sledgehammer into the steel ingot with a whistling sound. “when!” There was a deafening bang and sparks flew everywhere. Everyone’s heart was in their throat. The steel ingot remained motionless, without even a white dot left. On the contrary, the hammer head of the hammer made of wrought iron was actually curled. “hiss ” There was a sound of gasps from the whole audience. The sturdy man stood there in a daze, looking at the broken sledgehammer in his hand, then looking at the intact steel ingot, his face full of an expression as if he had seen a ghost. “This… this is fucking iron?” The craftsmen’s eyes lit up as they gathered around the steel ingot and discussed it. “A plow made of this steel can plow a rocky field like tofu!” “If it’s made into a kitchen knife, it might break hair!” “What’s the use of kitchen knives? Make them into armor! Make them into muskets! Then, who can stop our king’s army?” Longing and enthusiasm burn in everyone’s eyes. Lu Jin also walked over. He squatted down and carefully observed the texture of the steel ingot, muttering to himself, “The texture is uniform, without any sand holes… Is this the ‘toughness’ and ‘strength’ that the king mentioned? Incredible, absolutely incredible!” He raised his head and looked at the mountains of steel ingots, his eyes gleaming with an unprecedented brilliance. “With this, our train tracks will no longer wear out and break easily. Our steam engines will be able to withstand higher pressures and unleash even greater power! We can also build taller buildings and stronger bridges!” Zhang Fuan’s thoughts were more direct. He wiped his tears and excitedly said to Lu Jin, “There’s more! The swords made with this thing can chop the enemy’s weapons into scrap metal! The armor made with it won’t even be penetrated by musket bullets! From now on, our soldiers will be a group of iron monsters on the battlefield!” The two looked at each other and saw infinite longing for the future in each other’s eyes. Three days later, the latest issue of Zhenbei Daily was printed and spread to every corner of Zhenbei Country at an unprecedented speed. The front page of the newspaper, in bold font, had a headline that was enough to make everyone’s heart surge: The Fire Dragon descends, the Steel City is established; the divine iron is forged, a new era begins! In a newly opened public canteen in the county town, Wang Tiezhu was holding a bowl of piled up braised pork and eating it with his son Wang Gousheng with their mouths drooling. On the wall of the cafeteria, there was a newly delivered copy of the Zhenbei Daily. A young man was standing in front of the newspaper, reading it aloud to everyone in a rhythmic manner. “…When the hour arrived, the king gave a command, the earth shook, and a fire dragon appeared! Golden red molten iron formed a vast river, brighter than the sun, and its heat could burn people from miles away…” In the cafeteria, all the people eating put down their chopsticks, stretched their necks, and listened with fascination. “Oh my god, why does what’s written in the newspaper sound like a storytelling?” A farmer couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice. Wang Tiezhu rolled his eyes at him. “What do you know? This is called literary talent! How can the commotion His Majesty has caused be a minor matter? If I don’t write it this way, His Majesty’s majesty won’t be reflected!” The young man cleared his throat and continued, “…I struck it with a hammer weighing a thousand pounds, and the hammer flew away, but the steel remained intact! This is divine steel! With this divine steel, I can stabilize the Northern Kingdom and never worry about unrest in the world!” “good!” I don’t know who shouted first, but the whole cafeteria suddenly erupted in thunderous cheers and applause. “Did you hear that, Gousheng?” Wang Tiezhu’s face flushed with excitement as he shoveled a piece of braised pork into his son’s bowl. “Our king’s ironmaking skills are divine! A plow made from this divine steel will probably last a lifetime!” Wang Gousheng ate his rice, his eyes sparkling. “Dad, the newspaper also said that our house can be built with steel bars!” “Yes, yes, yes! From now on, our houses can all be built with these steel bars. That’s what we call strong! We won’t have to worry about wind or rain anymore!” “From now on, if all our soldiers wear armor made of divine steel, won’t they be able to walk sideways?” In the cafeteria, people were talking about it in a flurry, and everyone’s face was filled with genuine pride and honor. They may not understand what the Industrial Revolution is, but they simply know that the king has brought them great things again, and the days to come will only get better and better, and there will be more hope. When the entire Zhenbei Kingdom was excited about the birth of “Sacred Steel”, the steel city far away in the eastern wilderness had already entered an almost crazy production mode. The huge blast furnace runs non stop for 24 hours, and the blazing fire lights up half the sky red. Next to it, the newly built converter refines the boiling molten iron into purer molten steel with each start up. The deafening roar is the only sound in the city. The molten steel was cast into huge billets and, before it had completely cooled, was fed into rolling mills driven by steam engines. Under tremendous pressure, the hard steel billet is molded into various shapes like dough. Iron rails, tens of meters long, with standard cross sections and straight tracks, extend continuously from the production line, piling up into mountains on the open space, sparkling with a cold metallic luster. Thick I beams, heavy steel plates, coils of rebar… are being produced in batches at an unprecedented speed. Zhang Fuan stood on a steel framed observation tower, looking at the orderly and bustling production scene below, his heart filled with unprecedented satisfaction. A clerk trotted up to the platform and excitedly reported, “Master Zhang! The statistics are in! As of today, just one month after the completion of our steel city, daily production has stabilized at 60,000 kilograms! Enough rails produced to lay over three miles of rails every day! This is a speed we never dared to imagine before!” After hearing the number, Zhang Fuan nodded vigorously and looked into the distance. He will definitely convey the king’s will and the power of Zhenbei Kingdom to every corner of this land. Chapter 446: Rapid Progress The speed of track laying increased tenfold overnight. In the past, laying heavy rails straight required countless manpower and several days of careful measurement, compaction, and calibration. But now, with the continuous influx of standardized chemical steel and rebar produced by the Steel City, everything has changed. On the Black Water River, which borders Zhenbei Kingdom and Da Zhou, an unprecedented giant steel bridge is being completed at a speed visible to the naked eye. “Old Liu, give me a hand and pass the rivet over there!” A young craftsman with an oily face stood on a suspended steel frame and shouted to the bottom. The craftsman, known as Lao Liu, was in his fifties and had spent his life building bridges and roads. He stared at the bizarre scene before him , unable to recover for a long time. This bridge… doesn’t have a single pier. A huge steel skeleton, like the ribs of a giant beast, extends from both sides of the river and is about to converge in the middle of the river. The craftsmen shuttled back and forth on these “bones” that were dozens of feet above the water surface, using red hot iron nails and steam driven hammers to fix the steel plates together. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” The sound was deafening, and every strike made the entire steel frame tremble slightly. “Old Liu! What are you thinking about?” the young man shouted again. Old Liu finally woke up from his dream and hurriedly hung a basket of rivets on the hook of the crane. He looked at the crane arm driven by a steam engine, which easily lifted the steel beam weighing thousands of pounds into the air, and then looked at the young people walking on the steel frame as if it were flat ground, and felt that he had lived a dog’s life. “Wow… this bridge is built just like that?” he muttered to himself. “Think back to when we built that hundred step long stone arch bridge. How many people died, how many years it took… Your Majesty… this is like a god building a bridge!” The young craftsman heard this and grinned, revealing his white teeth. “Uncle Liu, this is called science! As the king said, this is called mechanical structure! Look at that triangular support, it’s the most stable! In the future, our Zhenbei Kingdom will not only have steel bridges, but also dozens of stories high reinforced concrete buildings!” Dozens of stories high? Old Liu looked up, imagining the scene, and his legs went weak. Wouldn’t that just poke it up into the sky? He didn’t dare to think anymore. He just looked down at the rushing Blackwater River below him, then looked up at the giant steel dragon above his head that was about to be connected. An indescribable sense of pride surged in his heart. This divine creation has his own strength! In the countryside, Wang Tiezhu was carrying a brand new plow and walking on the ridge of the field, his steps as light as a young man. The plow in his hands was unlike any farm implement he had ever used before. The plowshare is pitch black, gleaming with a dim luster, with smooth lines. When you hold it in your hand, you can’t feel a trace of roughness. What’s even more amazing is that this thing is almost half as light as the previous iron plowshares, yet incredibly hard. When distributing the “magic steel plow”, the village chief said that this was specially allocated from the steel capital by the king to the farmers. Wang Tiezhu was a little skeptical at first, thinking that iron was just iron, what could be done with it? But when he put the plow into the ground and used only an ox to pull it, the plow easily cut through the hard and compacted land like cutting tofu, turning over the dark and fertile new soil. He was stunned. In the past, it would take two oxen grunting and pulling for a long time, and they would have to stop from time to time to pry out the stones stuck in the plow head. Now, the plow moves smoothly and silkily, leaving only a straight and deep furrow. “Dad, slow down, the cow can hardly keep up!” The son Wang Gousheng shouted in a helpless manner as he was leading the cow from behind. Wang Tiezhu was not willing to slow down. He just felt that he had endless energy. The work that used to take him a whole day to finish was mostly finished in just one morning today. He stopped, straightened up, wiped the sweat off his face, looked at the neatly turned land behind him, grinned, revealing his yellow teeth, and smiled like a child. He looked back at his son. Wang Gousheng had grown into a strong young man and was stroking the smooth plowshare with a look of curiosity on his face. “Gousheng, what do you think our king is? He’s just some kind of god sent down to earth?” Wang Tiezhu sighed. “We used to pay rent to the court, working ourselves to death, barely able to eat a full meal. Now, following the king, not only do we have meat every meal, but our grandson can go to school for free, and he’s even given us magical tools like this for farming!” Wang Gousheng chuckled, “Dad, that’s nothing. The newspaper said that over in the Steel City, molten steel is flowing like a river. The railway will soon be built to our doorstep!” Wang Tiezhu listened and his eyes lit up. He imagined the scene his son described and felt that his life was worth living. The central training ground of the Qinglin Army was filled with murderous intent. Tens of thousands of soldiers were arranged in neat square formations. In the sunlight, their brand new steel armor and helmets reflected a cold light. Wang Jian rode on his horse, his posture straight, his eyes as sharp as knives, sweeping across the army in front of him. He also changed into a new set of general’s armor. This armor was lighter than any previous set, and the joints were more flexible, but the defensive power was incomparable. He once saw with his own eyes a soldier shooting at the armor with a new musket from fifty steps away. The bullet left only a faint white spot on it, without even removing the paint. “Fire!” At his command, the soldiers in the first row raised their muskets in unison. These new guns have barrels made of high quality steel with a blue glow all over. They are longer than the old guns, and the buttstock is designed to fit the shoulders better. “Bang bang bang bang ” There was a burst of dense popping sounds, not the sporadic sound of frying beans in the past, but a uniform sound of steel thunder. The target, which was five hundred steps away, was instantly hit and wood chips flew everywhere. “Hiss…” A recruit looked at the bullet hole he had shot, which was almost hitting the bull’s eye, and couldn’t help but gasp. The veteran beside him patted his shoulder and said with pride: “Kid, get used to it. Our king’s gun will hit wherever it points!” Wang Jian’s gaze fell on the artillery position farther away. More than a dozen brand new cannons stood there quietly. “Artillery, target, three miles away, enemy camp! Three rapid fire rounds, fire!” The artillery officer waved his flag. The gunners skillfully opened the breech block from the rear, inserted a spindle shaped shell, closed the breech block, and pulled the firing rope. “BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” The earth began to tremble violently, as if three angry dragons were roaring. Everyone subconsciously looked into the distance. A few seconds later, three huge fireballs rose from the simulated camp used as a target three miles away, with billowing smoke and flying earth and rocks. The entire training ground was in deathly silence. All the soldiers stared at the devastating scene in amazement, their hearts filled with shock beyond words. Is this… the power bestowed upon them by the king? Wang Jian gripped the reins tightly, veins bulged on the back of his hands, and his blood boiled in his heart. He drew the steel knife from his waist, the blade gleaming brightly in the sunlight as he pointed it towards the sky. He roared with all his might: “Zhenbei!” On the parade grounds, tens of thousands of soldiers reacted instantly. They puffed out their chests and, exerting all their strength, issued a response like a landslide and tsunami: “Zhenbei! Zhenbei! Zhenbei!” Chapter 447: Public Opinion In stark contrast to the rapidly flourishing Zhenbei Kingdom, the Great Zhou was filled with a deathly silence with no end in sight. Hejian County, a village next to the Blackwater River. The land was cracked and the sparse, withered and yellow seedlings drooped their heads weakly. The old locust tree at the entrance of the village, which is said to be three hundred years old, has almost had its bark stripped off by hungry villagers. Old man Zhang squatted at his doorstep, his eyes glaring at the empty clay pot. The bottom of the pot had been licked clean, revealing his wrinkled face. His son Zhang Ergou, who should have been a strong laborer, was now so thin that he was just a bag of bones. He was trying to repair the leaky roof with some straw. Inside the house, Zhang Ergou’s seven year old son, Xiao Shitou, was hugging his knees and whimpering softly, “Hungry… Dad, I’m hungry…” Zhang Ergou’s movements froze, and his eyes instantly turned red. At this moment, there was a chaotic commotion at the entrance of the village, mixed with the sound of gongs and the scolding of officials. “Village head! The grain collector is here again!” a villager shouted in panic. Old man Zhang shuddered all over, as if he had been pricked by a needle, and the last bit of blood color on his face faded away completely. Soon, several yamen runners in uniforms and with their hats tilted on one side, led by a tax collector with a fierce face, swaggered into the village. “Old man Zhang! Where is the imperial grain in your house?” The tax collector knocked on the broken door of Old Man Zhang’s house with his scabbard, looking impatient. Old Man Zhang stood up trembling, smiling: “Sir, it’s really… it’s really gone! The fields have not harvested a single grain, and the grain we had at home was taken away last month. Even the bark of the trees has been eaten…” “Bullshit!” the tax collector glared. “That’s it? Not only are the regular taxes gone, but there’s also a surcharge! A 30% increase on military pay is needed to defend our country! The Emperor in the capital wants to build a new palace, and you, as his subjects, don’t have to contribute a little ‘filial piety’? And, to prevent you from concealing the truth, you have to pay a ‘faithfulness fee’!” Zhang Ergou was so angry after hearing these unheard of taxes that he trembled all over. He jumped down from the roof and stood in front of his father. “How can there be so many taxes? You are trying to kill me!” “Oh? You dare to talk back?” The tax collector sneered, and the two yamen runners behind him immediately surrounded him, with the water and fire sticks in their hands ready to use. “Sir, please calm down, Sir, please calm down!” Old Man Zhang held his son tightly, bowing and scraping to the tax collector. “It’s us who are ignorant, it’s us who are ignorant… But our family really… really has nothing left…” The tax collector was too lazy to talk nonsense, so he kicked the door open and walked straight in. The room was bare except for a broken bed. He glanced around and saw an inconspicuous sack in the corner. He walked over and kicked some potatoes away, and out rolled a few shriveled, moldy potatoes. These were the last few things the Zhang family needed to survive the winter. “What is this?” the tax collector asked with a sneer. “Sir, this is…this is poisonous potato. Eating it will kill you!” Old man Zhang pleaded. “A dead body is better than a bargain for you unruly people!” The tax collector waved his hand, “Take it!” A yamen runner immediately stepped forward and picked up the small half bag of potatoes. “Don’t!” Zhang Ergou’s eyes were bloodshot and he was about to rush forward. “Ergou!” Old man Zhang hugged him tightly, tears streaming down his face. “Don’t be impulsive, don’t be impulsive! Your life is at stake…” Little Stone was so scared that he started crying loudly. The yamen runners carried the half bag of potatoes and left, leaving only desperate cries echoing in the dilapidated village. A few days later, when everyone in the village thought they could only wait for death, a young man named Wang San secretly ran back from the other side of the Heishui River. A few days ago, he risked his life to swim across the river and worked for two days on the construction site of Zhenbeiguo. Not only did he eat white rice and braised pork, he also brought back two steamed buns and a crumpled newspaper. The only literate old scholar in the village, wearing tattered glasses, read out the contents of the “Zhenbei Daily” with trembling hands under the dim oil lamp. “Zhenbei News: The Heishui River Steel Bridge was officially completed yesterday, transforming a natural barrier into a thoroughfare…” “Agricultural Innovation: The Steel City’s specially made ‘Sacred Steel Plow’ has been distributed to all townships. One ox can now do the work of five, plowing the fertile soil and bringing joy to the people…” “People’s Livelihood News: The Zhenbei Military Industry Canteen is open to the public. They offer three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and plenty of rice. Anyone participating in the Kingdom’s construction can dine with a ticket…” The old scholar’s voice became increasingly trembling, and by the end of his reading, he was sobbing uncontrollably. The villagers gathered around were initially silent, as if listening to a mysterious scripture. Then, someone started it, but suppressed sobs spread through the crowd. As Old Man Zhang listened, two lines of tears flowed from his cloudy eyes. A steel bridge? A Kobelco plow? All you can eat rice? What kind of day was that? “The bridge drawn in the newspaper… really doesn’t have any piers… It’s just like the rainbow in the sky…” Wang San gestured, with shock on his face. “Do the people over there… have meat to eat every meal?” Zhang Ergou asked hoarsely, with almost crazy desire in his eyes. “Yeah!” Wang San nodded vigorously. “I saw it with my own eyes! Compared to us, it’s like one is in heaven and the other is in hell!” hell…… This word, like a knife, pierced into the hearts of everyone present. Silence, deathly silence. Suddenly, Zhang Ergou stood up. He looked around at the numb, desperate faces and roared, “Waiting to die? Are you going to starve to death here?” No one answered. “On the other side of the river is the human world! They have food to eat, clothes to wear, and live like human beings!” Zhang Ergou pointed to the north, veins popping out on his neck. “What about us? We are worse than pigs and dogs!” He took a deep breath, as if he had used up all his strength. “I don’t want my son to starve to death! I don’t want to!” He looked at his father with red eyes, then at all the villagers, “It’s death anyway! Starving to death is death, and being beaten to death by the officials is also death! Why don’t we go north! Go to the Black Water River Bridge! Go and ask the King of Zhenbei to take us in!” “Even if I have to work like a slave for him, it’s better than starving to death here!” This cry was like a huge rock thrown into stagnant water, instantly stirring up a thousand waves. A glimmer of light rekindled in everyone’s eyes. It was the only hope after being forced into a desperate situation. “Yes! Go and ask the King of Zhenbei!” “Even if I die, I’d rather die on the way to the north!” “We are not troublemakers, we just want to survive!” An hour later, a strange group spontaneously gathered from the village. Soon after, more and more people from neighboring villages, even those who could no longer make a living, joined in. They were ragged, pale and thin, carrying the elderly and children, with no weapons, no flags, only faces filled with despair and pleading. This torrent of hungry people moved silently but firmly towards the north. When thousands of people gathered at the banks of the Black Water River, everyone was shocked by the scene before them. A huge steel dragon spans across the turbulent river, majestic, spectacular and full of power. On the other side of the bridge, teams of Zhenbei Army soldiers wearing brand new steel armor and holding muskets stood solemnly, their military appearance was majestic and their momentum was imposing. The scenes on both sides of the strait are like two different worlds. Chapter 448 In the Name of the People “thump ” It was unknown who was the first to kneel down, but soon after, thousands of people from the Great Zhou, like harvested wheat, knelt down in the mud in front of the bridge. Old Man Zhang and Zhang Ergou knelt in the front and kowtowed heavily towards the bridge head. “Please have mercy on us, Your Majesty! Please take us in!” “Give us a bite to eat! We will work like slaves for you!” “Please, Your Majesty, save us…” The cries and pleas merged into one, heart wrenching and resounding through the sky. At this moment, smoke and dust billowed from the direction of Hejian County, and the sound of horses’ hooves was heard. A troop of several hundred county soldiers, led by a fat headed county governor, came rushing over aggressively. “Rebellion! Rebellion! Everyone’s rebelling!” Hejian County Magistrate Liu Chang, riding atop his towering horse, pointed at the masses of kneeling civilians, his flesh trembling with anger. “How dare they gather together to cause trouble and attack the bridge! Come on, beat them! Beat them to death! Disperse this group of unruly people!” The tax collector beside him was the same one who had stolen the Zhang family’s potatoes a few days ago. He was now taking advantage of his superiors’ power, brandishing his sword and screaming, “Have you heard me? The county magistrate has issued an order! Anyone who dares to kneel again will be a traitor and will be killed on the spot!” When the people heard this, their crying stopped and their faces showed deeper fear and despair. Zhang Ergou clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms. He looked at the ferocious county soldiers, then turned back to look at his father who looked as pale as death and his trembling son, and a surge of blood rushed to his forehead. “We just want to survive! Is there anything wrong with that?” He stood up suddenly and roared. “Catch the leader!” The tax collector pointed at Zhang Ergou and shouted to the county soldiers around him. The two county soldiers looked at each other, hesitant. They were also locals, and their families were also struggling to make ends meet. Many of the people in front of them are their fellow villagers or even relatives. “What are you standing there for? Are my words of no use anymore?” Seeing this, County Magistrate Liu Chang pulled out his horsewhip and whipped a young county soldier hard on the face, leaving a bloody mark. The young county soldier staggered after being hit, raised his head, his eyes full of humiliation and anger. He looked at a woman in the crowd with a pale face and holding a child. That was his sister. With a clang, the young soldier threw away his spear and shouted at Liu Chang, “I quit! Whoever wants to be a soldier can do it! I want to go north to seek a way out!” This roar was like a spark that instantly ignited the entire powder keg. “I quit!” “We won’t work for you vampires anymore!” All the county soldiers dropped their weapons almost at the same time. They were fed up with the withheld military pay, fed up with the orders that oppressed the people, and even more fed up with these hopeless days. County Magistrate Liu Chang and the tax collector were completely stunned. “You…you want to rebel?” Liu Chang’s voice was trembling. “You are the one who is rebelling, you dog official!” Zhang Ergou raised his arm and rushed forward first. Thousands of civilians who were forced into a desperate situation completely erupted with the anger and desire to survive that had been suppressed for too long. They were like a tide, drowning the few tax collectors and officials who still wanted to resist. “ah ” A shrill scream was heard. The domineering tax collector was torn to pieces by the angry people. County Magistrate Liu Chang was so frightened that he turned his horse around and tried to run away. But there was no way for him to escape with his fat body, and he was dragged off the horse by several men. “Have mercy! Have mercy! I…I will give you money! I will give you food!” Liu Chang knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed repeatedly. Zhang Ergou’s eyes were red as he walked up to Liu Chang. “You only remember to give us food now? It’s too late!” Half an hour later, Liu Chang’s head was hung high on the city wall of Hejian County. Below the city, there was a cheering crowd. They laughed, cried, and vented all their resentment and despair. However, they all knew that this was just the beginning, and what they would face next would be the court’s crazy revenge. The only way to survive is on the other side of that steel bridge. That night, under the auspices of an old scholar in the city, a book of all nations written in blood was presented. “…a harsh government is more ferocious than a tiger. Natural disasters and man made calamities have left the people in dire straits… We, the remaining people of the northern counties, look northward, seeing only peace and prosperity under your king’s rule… Now, risking our lives, we write this in blood, begging you to send your heavenly troops south to rescue us from this dire situation… We are willing to be your subjects, serving you for generations and never abandoning you…” Zhang Ergou was the first to bite his finger and press down his bloody handprint heavily. Immediately afterwards, Old Man Zhang, the young county soldier who led the mutiny, and thousands of civilians and surrendered soldiers stepped forward one by one and pressed their blood seals on the heavy Book of All Nations. This blood letter was sent to the bridgehead of the Heishui River Bridge overnight and handed over to the Zhenbei Army. Zhenbei Kingdom Palace, meeting hall. Lin Xiao sat in the main seat, quietly looking at the Book of All Nations on the table, which still smelled of blood. Below, the core members stood on both sides with solemn expressions. Li Dequan stepped forward first, his voice filled with suppressed excitement. “Your Majesty, regarding livelihoods, new agricultural tools and water conservancy facilities have been fully deployed throughout the territory. According to statistics from various regions, this year’s total grain output is expected to double that of last year! Schools and clinics have been completed in all newly expanded territories, truly ensuring that everyone has food to eat and every family has access to education!” Song Qinghe continued his report, “Your Majesty, regarding government affairs, the national treasury revenue has increased by 60% compared to six months ago. The production capacity of the Steel City has been fully unleashed. The speed of railway construction is now ten times faster than before, and five major cities have been incorporated into the railway network. Due to the influx of refugees from the Great Zhou, the number of our registered citizens has exceeded 10 million. They have all been properly resettled and are being transformed into new productive forces!” Finally, it was Sun Mingde, clad in new steel armor. His voice was as resounding as a bell: “Your Majesty! All three legions of the Qinglin Army have been equipped with new muskets and steel plate armor, and our artillery units have also been expanded. General Agula has completely wiped out the remaining forces on the eastern grasslands. The cattle, sheep, and horses he sent back have doubled our cavalry! All soldiers are on high alert, awaiting the king’s command!” Everyone was full of fighting spirit. They looked at Lin Xiao with fanatical and expectant eyes. Lin Xiao slowly stood up, saying nothing, and walked over to the huge map. His gaze first fell on the bloodstained Book of All Peoples, then moved to the vast expanse of land on the map that represented the northern part of the Great Zhou. The time has come. He picked up the blood letter and held it high. “The will of the people is the will of heaven. Since the emperor of the Great Zhou doesn’t want his people, then I do.” Everyone’s breathing stopped. “Song Qinghe.” “I’m here!” Song Qinghe stepped out excitedly. “In the name of the King of Zhenbei, I draft a letter to my compatriots in the north of Great Zhou. It announces to the world that the King of Great Zhou is immoral and indulges in pleasure, leading to natural and man made disasters, widespread famine, and the displacement of the people. Our Zhenbei nation, in compliance with the will of Heaven and in response to the will of Man, cannot bear to see the suffering of the people. We now send out a righteous army to rescue the people from their plight and save them from danger!” “Three days later, the army will cross the river!” “To relieve the suffering of the people and bring peace to the world for all eternity!” “Your Majesty, I obey your command!” All the core members kowtowed deeply with tears in their eyes. Chapter 449: The King’s Army Heads South Three days later, the sky was getting light. On the Heishui River, a steel bridge lies quietly above the river surface. “Boom, boom, boom…” The heavy and orderly footsteps made the steel beams of the entire bridge emit a rhythmic hum. An army that seemed to have no end was surging towards the south like a tide from the north bank of the bridge. Walking in the front is the First Legion of the Qinglin Army. Every soldier was wearing the latest steel plate armor produced by the Steel City and a face protecting steel helmet. Under the sunlight, it reflected a heart pounding cold light. The new style repeating muskets they carried on their shoulders had barrels that glowed with a faint blue light, and the butts of the guns pressed tightly against their arms, as if integrated with their bodies. Their steps were in perfect unison. With tens of thousands of people marching, there was not a single noise except for the clanging of armor plates and the roar of footsteps. The solemn and murderous aura rose into the sky, making the water vapor on the river seem to condense. Sun Mingde and Wang Jian rode side by side, their horses’ hooves making crisp “clacking” sounds on the steel paved bridge surface. They were also wearing new style general armor, and their eyes were looking sharply at the vast and silent land on the south bank. “Pass the order down,” Sun Mingde’s voice was deep and powerful. “After crossing the river, follow the original plan to deploy in a fan shaped formation. For every city, first submit a ‘Letter to the Northern Compatriots of the Great Zhou’. If there are any stubborn opponents, the artillery will not hesitate.” “Yes!” the messenger answered loudly and rode away. Wang Jian looked ahead, his face expressionless. He simply said, “I’m afraid the artillerymen won’t have much chance to stretch their muscles.” Sun Mingde grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. On the city wall of Hejian County. Zhang Ergou was leading a group of young men, looking nervously towards the north. When the steel torrent appeared on the horizon, he was not afraid, but trembling with excitement. Beside him, the young county soldier Zhao Si, who was the first to lead the mutiny, clenched his fists tightly and did not blink. “Here they come…they are coming!” Zhang Ergou’s voice was trembling. “Is this the king’s army?” Zhao Si murmured to himself, his eyes full of shock and yearning. He had been a soldier for several years and had never seen such a military appearance. The army of the Great Zhou, let alone uniform armor, many people didn’t even have a decent pair of shoes. When they marched, they were scattered and looked no different from a group of beggars. But the army in front of him seemed to be carved from the same mold, and every member of it looked like a moving steel god of death. “Hurry! Hurry!” Zhang Ergou came to his senses and roared towards the city, “Open the city gates! Welcome the royal army!” The heavy city gate was slowly opened without any hesitation. When the vanguard troops led by Sun Mingde arrived at the city, they saw a scene that surprised him. Led by Zhang Ergou, thousands of civilians and rebel soldiers from the county had already knelt inside and outside the city gate to welcome the royal army. “We, the people of Hejian County, respectfully welcome the king’s heavenly soldiers!” The roar was like a tsunami, full of excitement of surviving the disaster and anticipation for the future. One hundred miles to the south is Anfeng City. On the city wall, the captain Li Kui was pacing back and forth anxiously. “Report! General, the Zhenbei Army… the vanguard of the Zhenbei Army is ten miles outside the city!” A spy crawled up to the city wall, his voice full of fear. Li Kui’s heart skipped a beat and he subconsciously grasped the hilt of the knife. “What are you panicking about!” he roared, his voice threatening but weak. “We still have three thousand defenders in the city, and the food and fodder… the food and fodder can last for several days! Pass my order, all troops, to the city walls, prepare to defend to the death!” The order was passed down, but the defenders on the city wall hesitated. There was no fighting spirit on their faces, but instead they were filled with fear and despair. An old soldier whispered to the sergeant beside him, “Sergeant, are we really going to fight? The day before yesterday, I heard from relatives who fled from the capital that the artillery of the Zhenbei Army can blow down the city walls with a single shot. Their muskets can fire bullets like rain. How can our flesh and blood withstand it?” The sergeant’s face turned pale and he lowered his voice and said, “Shut up! If the general hears you, I’ll kill you!” Even so, his own calves were trembling. At this moment, a horse galloped from a distance. The knight on the horse did not carry any weapons, but only held up a white flag. A knight reined in his horse a hundred paces below the city walls, pulled out a trumpet made of rolled iron sheets, and shouted with all his might, “Brothers of the Great Zhou on the city walls, listen up! I am the messenger under the command of the King of Zhenbei! Our king, unable to bear the suffering of the people of the north, has sent a righteous army to save the people from their plight! We have come solely to overthrow the tyranny and spare the people a single ounce of harm!” “Anyone who opens the city and surrenders will be forgiven and become a citizen of Zhenbei, receiving land and food! If you resist to the end, the day the city falls will be the day you die!” After the call was finished, the herald shot a scroll onto the city wall with a bow and arrow. Li Kui’s personal guards picked up the scroll and presented it. Li Kui unfolded it and saw that it was the “Letter to the Northern Compatriots of the Great Zhou Dynasty”. Every word in the above is heartbreaking, making a bloody contrast between the incompetence and corruption of the Great Zhou court and the prosperity of the Zhenbei Kingdom. “You’re spreading rumors and misleading the people!” Li Kui tore the letter to pieces and roared, “Archers, get ready! Shoot that guy!” However, no one on the city wall drew the bow. All the soldiers looked at him with complicated eyes. There was fear, resentment, and a hint of… pleading. “You…” Li Kui was stunned. “General,” the corporal bravely stepped forward, “I don’t want to die.” “We don’t want to die either!” “My family has been out of food for five days. My brother died of starvation! Why should I work for an emperor who only knows how to build palaces?” “General Li, I’m sorry!” Several officers who were usually close to Li Kui looked at each other, then suddenly rushed forward and pinned him to the ground. “Open the city gates!” Anfeng City was captured without bloodshed. Such scenes continued to unfold in various northern counties of the Great Zhou over the next month. The speed at which the Zhenbei Army advanced was unbelievably fast. Often, as soon as the vanguard troops arrived at a city, the defenders inside would mutiniate, kidnap the commander, and open the city gates to surrender. Sometimes, when Wang Jian’s troops were still on the march, representatives of the people in the city ahead were already waiting on the road with letters of surrender. From Hejian County to Wangzhou, and then to Pingyang County, the gateway to the heart of the Central Plains. Within a month, wherever the Zhenbei Army passed, they could conquer the country. All thirty cities in the north of the Great Zhou changed their flags. The northern defense line that the Zhou Dynasty relied on to protect the capital was like a piece of rotten paper soaked in water, which would be torn at the slightest poke. At this point, two thirds of the territory of the Great Zhou, along with more than 70% of the population, have fallen into Lin Xiao’s control. The whole world is quietly waiting for the day when that iron army will arrive at the gates of the capital. Chapter 450 The situation is over The iron hooves of the Zhenbei Army passed by, leaving behind not scorched earth and wailing. Following closely behind was the large administrative team led by Li Dequan. Less than an hour had passed since the opening of Hejian County, and the largest granary in the city, which had once been guarded by soldiers sent by the county governor and which the people had to walk around when passing by, was now wide open. Large carts drove out, loaded with golden millet and snow white rice flour. “The King of Zhenbei has issued an order!” Li Dequan stood on a high platform, and the sound he shouted through a metal loudspeaker spread across half of the city. “From now on, all exorbitant taxes and levies in Hejian County and surrounding villages will be waived! All residents of Zhenbei will receive food rations based on household registration. Children can attend new schools upon registering their household registration, and the elderly, the weak, and the disabled will all have access to medical care!” Notices were posted all over the city walls. At first, no one dared to believe it. Zhang Ergou hid behind the crowd, his eyes fixed on the words on the notice. Next to him, the old scholar was reading out the words word by word, his voice trembling. “Really…really not collecting taxes anymore?” someone asked in a low voice. “Still…still distributing food?” At this time, the first soup distribution point had been set up. In the huge iron pot, thick white rice porridge was cooking. The aroma of rice mixed with the aroma of meat domineeringly penetrated into the noses of every hungry person. A young man in a white coat and a strange white cloth covering his face was stirring with a large spoon. “Fellow villagers, line up! Everyone gets a share! This is a special order from the king. Let everyone have a full meal first!” Gulp. There was a sound of swallowing saliva in the crowd. Zhang Ergou’s eyes turned red. In his entire life, he had only smelled the smell of meat from afar during the Chinese New Year. He pushed his son, Little Stone, beside him and said, “Go! Go get in line!” The little stone was too timid to move. Zhang Ergou gritted his teeth, pulled his son, and rushed over first. When a bowl of steaming white rice porridge with a few pieces of diced meat floating on top was handed to him, the hands of this man who dared to roar in front of the county soldiers shook like a sieve. He lowered his head and looked at the snow white rice grains in the bowl. His nose felt sore and two lines of hot tears fell into the porridge without warning. “Dad…?” Little Stone looked at him in confusion. “Eat!” Zhang Ergou shoved the bowl into his son’s hands and turned back to line up, wiping his face with his sleeve as he walked. “Eat! This is food for people! It’s given to us by our king!” Under the city wall, more and more people flocked to the soup kitchen. They were cautious at first, but ended up crying loudly. An old man finished drinking a bowl of porridge, then knelt down on the spot and kowtowed three times towards the north. “God, please open your eyes! God, please open your eyes!” This time, it was like the fuse was lit. “Plop, plop…” Hundreds and thousands of people knelt on the ground spontaneously, and the sounds of crying and kowtow filled the air. Li Dequan’s eyes became moist as he watched this scene. He waved his hand, asking his men to speed up. “Dad, why are they all crying?” Little Stone asked in a low voice. Zhang Ergou scooped another bowl with his empty bowl and handed it to his father, Old Man Zhang, who was following behind him. He said in a hoarse voice, “Because we… survived.” Soon, some skilled carpenters in the city spontaneously began to carve tablets. There were no gods or Buddhas engraved on the tablet, only a line of words: The King of Zhenbei, Lord Lin, will live forever. Every household places this tablet in the most conspicuous place and burns a stick of incense every day, which is more pious than offering incense to ancestors. Capital city, main hall. Deathly silence. A messenger knelt in the center of the hall, not even daring to raise his head. Li Yan sat on the dragon throne in a daze. He didn’t even hear what the messenger said next. Only one sentence echoed in his mind. “All thirty cities in the north… have fallen…” Fall? He wanted to laugh, but couldn’t. Weren’t those his people and his kingdom? How could it have fallen? The Zhenbei Army didn’t even encounter any decent resistance. What happened to those generals who were guarding the city and those soldiers who were paid by the Great Zhou? Why not fight? Why not resist? Li Yan’s face turned from red to ashen, and finally to ashen gray. He slowly lowered his head and looked at his hands, which were calloused from years of carpentry. These hands can create the most exquisite Luban lock in the world and carve lifelike birds and animals. But these hands could not keep his kingdom. In the corner of the hall stands a work he had just completed, a miniature palace carved from rosewood, with flying eaves and brackets, and is exquisitely designed. It is his proudest work. He stood up suddenly, rushed over, grabbed the wooden palace that he treasured, and smashed it to the ground with all his strength. “Pala——” There was a crisp sound, and wood chips flew everywhere. The exquisite palace was instantly turned into a pile of useless debris. Li Yan was breathing heavily, looking at the mess on the ground. It seemed as if all his strength had been drained away. He slumped back onto the dragon throne without saying a word. Prime Minister’s Mansion. Zhou Mubai stood in the study, his hands behind his back, looking at the huge map of the Great Zhou territory on the wall. A clerk was holding a pen dipped in red cinnabar and carefully marking on the map. Starting from the banks of the Black Water River, the red color representing the fall quickly spread southward like an unstoppable blood red wave, swallowing up one city after another. Anfeng, Wangzhou, Pingyang… Soon, the northern half of the Great Zhou territory map had turned a shockingly red. The clerk stopped writing, bowed and left. Zhou Mubai was the only one left in the huge study. He looked at the glaring red for a long, long time. How can city walls and swords and guns stop the people’s support? Zhou Mubai slowly closed his eyes and let out a long, long sigh. In that sigh, there was reluctance, helplessness, and more importantly, exhaustion that came from accepting one’s fate. The trend… is gone. Deep in the imperial palace, the cold palace. Liu Weilan leaned on the soft couch, holding a thin roll of paper in her bare hands. That was not the palace gazette, but the Zhenbei Daily sent in through secret channels. The front page of the newspaper had a headline printed in bold black letters: “The royal army marched south to save the people from suffering and captured thirty cities in one month.” The following is a detailed account of the Zhenbei Army’s unstoppable victory in battle, as well as the grand occasion of people from all over the country opening their cities to welcome them with food and drink. Her fingertips gently stroked the name “Lin Xiao” on the newspaper. The sunlight filtered through the window lattice and shone onto her stunningly beautiful face, casting a soft glow on it. She looked quietly at the words, and the domineering yet gentle figure of the man appeared in her mind. It was he who, at his most desperate moment, descended like a god and pulled him back from the brink of death. It is also he who is burying this corrupt dynasty with his own hands in a devastating manner. The corners of Liu Weilan’s mouth slowly curved up. In that smile, there was the pride of being a woman, a sense of relief that things had settled, and a secret anticipation for the future that she herself had not even noticed. She knew that the world would soon belong to him. And she, too. Chapter 451 Navy The atmosphere in the meeting room was lively. A huge sand table occupied the center of the room, densely covered with small flags of various colors representing towns, factories and railways. The territory belonging to the Zhenbei Kingdom has expanded to include the vast territory in the north of the Great Zhou. Song Qinghe was holding a long pole, and his face was flushed unconcealably. “Your Majesty, as of last month, the registered population of our Zhenbei Kingdom has reached 15 million. Since the release of the ‘Letter to the Northern Compatriots of Great Zhou,’ people from all over the country have been eager to return home, and the population is still surging.” “In agriculture, the new farm tools produced in the Steel City have been fully distributed. According to statistics from agricultural officials across the country, this year’s total summer grain output has reached 36 million dan, more than double the same period last year! The national treasury is full, and the people no longer have to worry about famine!” Li Dequan added in a resonant voice, “As for people’s livelihoods, compulsory schools have been established in all county and prefecture towns, enrolling over a million children. The epidemic prevention regulations implemented by the Public Health Department have been remarkably effective. Several small scale epidemics were quickly extinguished and have never again become major problems.” Zhang Fuan grinned like a child presenting a treasure. “Your Majesty, regarding industry, the Steel City’s No. 3 and No. 4 blast furnaces were ignited last month, and now produce over 100,000 tons of steel per month! The total railway mileage has exceeded 3,000 kilometers, connecting 50 major cities! Our steam engines and textile machines are being continuously equipped in various factories!” Sun Mingde and Wang Jian stood aside, their postures straight, their new steel armor shining brightly under the lights. Sun Mingde stepped out and clasped his fists, saying, “Your Majesty, the three legions have been reorganized. The total strength of the army has reached 300,000, and all of them have been fully equipped. Our current military strength is enough to sweep away any army in the world!” After everyone finished their reports, they all looked at Lin Xiao, who was sitting in the main seat, with fanatical and respectful eyes. From a remote village to a vast kingdom with a vast territory and the support of the people, all this happened in just a few years. Lin Xiao nodded with a smile, feeling satisfied. Industry, agriculture, commerce, and people’s livelihood are all booming. This kingdom built by him is bursting with vitality at an incredible speed. After the meeting, Lin Xiao returned to the backyard. On a sunny summer afternoon, sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were flying kites with a few other children on the grass. Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang, and Zhang Wanqing were sitting in the corridor, using sewing machines, chatting about family matters while sewing autumn clothes for the children, with satisfied smiles on their faces. Liu Ruyan brought a plate of chilled grapes, peeled them, and fed them to Lin Xiao personally. “My lord, try this, fresh from the ice cellar.” She had a smile on her face and her eyes were as gentle as water. Lin Xiao opened his mouth and took it in, then gently sucked on her delicate fingers. Liu Ruyan’s cheeks flushed and she gave him a reproachful look, but did not pull her hand away. Seeing this, Tuya beside her also picked up a grape and said in a sweet voice: “Master, Tuya will peel it for you too.” [System prompt: Liu Ruyan’s favorability: 64+5, current favorability: 69] [System prompt: Tuya’s favorability: 26+5, current favorability: 31] Lin Xiao smiled in his heart, as he could enter the lottery to gain Tuya’s favorability again. He closed his eyes and silently recited the lottery. A light flashed, and a line of large characters appeared in my mind: “Complete Set of Ship Design and Steam Turbine Technology”. boom! Lin Xiao felt a vast torrent of knowledge instantly flood his mind. From primitive canoes to sailing warships, to giant steel ships; from simple piston steam engines to complex, powerful marine steam turbines… countless design drawings, mechanical formulas, and material ratios unfolded clearly in his mind. He seemed to see giant steel beasts with a displacement of thousands of tons, covered in heavy steel armor, and with billowing black smoke spewing out of their chimneys, sailing on the vast ocean. Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes and almost jumped up from the recliner. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise wildly. This is the key to dominating the ocean! With this, all pirates and Japanese pirates will be nothing but chickens and dogs! The next day, Lin Xiao convened the core members to discuss matters again. This time, everyone noticed that the king’s expression seemed different from yesterday, with a hint of sharpness. However, as soon as Song Qinghe stepped out, his expression became extremely solemn. He handed over a battle report stained with blood and smelling of sea salt. “Your Majesty, several counties along the eastern coast, including Dengzhou and Laizhou, have been frequently harassed by Japanese pirates in the past month.” Song Qinghe’s voice was low. “These pirates were extremely cruel. They landed in small boats, burned, killed, looted, and committed all sorts of atrocities. In Dengzhou alone, seven fishing villages were massacred, and thousands of civilians were killed.” Lin Xiao opened the battle report and his eyes gradually turned cold. “Where are our sailors?” Song Qinghe’s face showed a trace of shame. “We only had a few old wooden warships, small and weak. The Dengzhou Navy went to encircle and suppress them, but we were surrounded by the pirates’ speedboats. Their ships were equipped with powerful cannons. In the first encounter, three of our warships were sunk. The rest fled back to the port in dismay, and never dared to go out to sea again.” “Useless!” Sun Mingde slammed his fist on the table, his face filled with anger. “Your Majesty, I request your permission to lead an army to the coast. If those pirates dare to come ashore, I will make sure they never return!” “We’re not afraid on land,” Wang Jian shook his head calmly. “But the Japanese pirates are cunning. They rob and run. We can’t just passively defend along this long coastline. They have ships and can come and go freely. If we don’t deal with their power at sea, we’ll only be treating the symptoms and not the root cause.” In the meeting room, everyone was discussing the matter, but they were all at a loss as to what to do. All the power of the kingdom is concentrated on land, and they are unfamiliar with the sea. Lin Xiao leaned back in his chair, tapping the table lightly with his fingers. He looked at the description of the Japanese pirate ships in the battle report, which were faster and had more powerful artillery than his own navy ships. When the ministers saw Lin Xiao frowning slightly, they felt a little uneasy. However, just a moment later, Lin Xiao’s brows relaxed, and the corners of his mouth even curled up in a playful arc. He threw the battle report on the table and spoke lightly. “You’ve arrived just in time.” Everyone was stunned. Lin Xiao stood up and walked to the huge map. His eyes passed over the land and turned to the vast blue ocean. “Send an order to the Dengzhou navy to shrink their defenses and hold the harbor. There’s no need to go into battle.” “Send a message to Zhang Fuan, telling him to immediately drop everything he’s doing, bring his best craftsmen, and come to see me at the palace as soon as possible.” “It just so happens…it’s time to replace the equipment for our navy.” His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable confidence that instantly dispelled all the gloom in the conference room. The ministers looked at Lin Xiao’s back, and their original worries were swept away, replaced by the familiar, unconditional trust and fanatical expectations. They knew that the king was going to take out the “divine object” again. Each time, it will be the beginning of a new era. Chapter 452 Zhenbei In the palace study, Zhang Fuan almost crawled in. He ran so fast that he was sweating profusely and half of his clothes were wet, but his eyes were frighteningly bright. “Your Majesty! You are looking for me!” He gasped, his face showing that familiar, extremely expectant enthusiasm. Lin Xiao sat behind the desk with a relaxed expression, which formed a sharp contrast with Zhang Fuan’s excitement. He didn’t say anything, just pointed to a huge table next to him. “See for yourself.” Zhang Fuan hurried over and saw that the table, which was taller than him, was covered with a thick stack of drawings. He picked up the top one, took a look at it, and was stunned. The drawing showed a huge monster that he had never seen before. It has the outline of a ship, but is made entirely of steel, with hard lines and none of the softness of a wooden ship. The bow of the ship was sharp, like a ram, and the sides of the hull were covered with exaggeratedly thick iron plates with “surface hardened steel armor” marked in small letters. What made him feel suffocated the most were the two huge, rotating circular gun turrets in the middle of the ship. From each turret, extended two hideous gun barrels that were thicker than a human being. “This…is this a boat?” Zhang Fuan’s voice was trembling, and he felt his throat was so dry that it seemed like it was going to smoke. With trembling hands, he turned to the second page, which was a side anatomical diagram. Inside was a densely packed, complex structure like the internal organs of the human body. He saw something called a “steam turbine”, the “ammunition hoist” connected to the turret, and the “watertight compartments” separated by layers. As the chief craftsman of the kingdom, he felt dizzy at the moment, as if he was reading a book written in heaven. Although he couldn’t understand most of the principles, he could understand the sense of power and murderous aura that was coming towards him! This isn’t a ship! It’s a steel fortress that can move across the ocean! Zhang Fuan’s breathing suddenly became rapid and his head buzzed. The Japanese pirates and the clipper cannons are just a group of children holding sticks in front of this thing! He suddenly raised his head and looked at Lin Xiao. The look in his eyes was no longer fanatical, but full of awe and trembling like a mortal looking up at a god. His legs softened and he fell to his knees with a plop, his forehead hitting the ground heavily. His voice was distorted with excitement: “Your Majesty… Your Majesty! Once this item is released, there will be no rivals in the world! Zhang Fuan… I am willing to create this magical item for Your Majesty, even if it means sacrificing my life!” Lin Xiao’s order was like the highest instruction, and the industrial power of the entire eastern part of the kingdom was mobilized instantly. Next to Dengzhou Port, the best deep water port on the coast, an unprecedentedly large shipyard has sprung up at an incredible speed. Tens of thousands of craftsmen were recruited from all over the country to work day and night. The towering gantry crane is like a steel giant, easily lifting steel plates weighing several tons. The huge steam forging hammer made the earth tremble with every fall, forging the red hot steel ingot into the desired shape. A few months later, at Dock No. 1 of the shipyard. The keel of the first ironclad ship “Zhenbei” was slowly laid on the huge slipway under the watchful eyes of the crowd. The hundred meter long keel made of special steel, like the spine of a giant dragon, foreshadows the birth of a maritime overlord. Lin Xiao personally stayed in the shipyard for several days, explaining the key technologies on the drawings to a group of the most experienced old shipbuilders and craftsmen. He explained everything in great detail, from the precision of keel laying, to the riveting method of the hull steel plates, to the welding process of the watertight compartments. The craftsmen went from being confused at first, to suddenly realizing, and finally to being completely impressed. They looked at the craftsmanship that overturned generations of shipbuilding experience, and then looked at the extremely young king in front of them, and had only one thought in their minds: there is nothing in this world that the king does not understand. Thousands of craftsmen, under Lin Xiao’s personal guidance, burst out with amazing enthusiasm and efficiency. The “click” sound of rivet guns, the cutting sound of steel plates, and the shouts of craftsmen echoed one after another, day and night in this huge factory. A few months later, in the backyard of the palace. Lin Xiao was leaning on the recliner while Liu Ruyan was peeling a crystal clear lychee and carefully bringing it to his mouth. Tuya was kneeling on the blanket, massaging Lin Xiao’s legs with her soft, boneless hands with moderate strength. “Sir, my sister asked in her letter when you would return to the capital,” Liu Ruyan said softly, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “She said she listens to the music box you gave her last time every day.” Lin Xiao smiled and was about to speak when he saw Zhang Fuan running in like a gust of wind. In the past few months, Zhang Fuan has become three times darker and two times thinner, but his eyes are as bright as searchlights. “Your Majesty!” He excitedly handed over a thick report. “The Zhenbei… is finished! The hull is 110 meters long, 21 meters wide, and has a full load displacement of 9,800 tons! It’s equipped with two twin 300mm main guns and eight 150mm secondary guns!” “The steam turbine unit can provide 15,000 horsepower, and the maximum speed… can reach 23 knots!” Every number Zhang Fuan reported made his heart beat wildly. Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. The result was pretty much what he expected. He stood up and said, “Let’s go and take a look.” When they arrived at Dengzhou Port again, everyone was shocked by the huge ship docked at the dock in front of them. It sat there quietly, without a single sail, only two thick chimneys pointing straight to the sky. The gray steel hull glowed coldly and cruelly in the sunlight. The four black main gun barrels were like four giant eyes staring into the abyss, filled with an unquestionable aura of destruction. Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other powerful generals in the army couldn’t help but gasp when they saw the steel behemoth in front of them. They had no doubt that the army’s most powerful siege artillery would only tickle this guy. Lin Xiao led everyone on board the “Zhenbei”. “Boost boiler pressure! Prepare for sea trials!” As the order was given, a low roar was heard from inside the ship. A moment later, the entire battleship began to tremble slightly, and the steel deck underfoot seemed to come alive. The “Zhenbei” slowly sailed out of the port, speeding up. It did not shake like a wooden boat sailing, but cut through the waves steadily and firmly, leaving a straight white trail on the sea. “Oh my God… This is faster than the fastest horse!” Sun Mingde held on to the railing tightly, watching the rapidly receding coastline, and exclaimed in shock. Chapter 453 Another Year “Target, reef number three ahead, main gun salvo, begin!” Following Lin Xiao’s order, the two main gun turrets slowly turned and locked onto a hill like reef several kilometers away. “Fire!” “BOOM—BOOM—!” Two loud noises, far duller and more shocking than any thunder, shook the entire warship violently. A huge orange red flame gushed out from the muzzle, and four shells weighing hundreds of kilograms, with a sharp whistling sound, tore through the air and instantly crossed a long distance. A few seconds later, four balls of dazzling flames suddenly exploded on the distant reef. The huge reef that had stood for thousands of years was like being hit by the fist of a god. It fell apart in an instant and turned into countless pieces of rubble that soared into the sky. When the smoke and dust cleared, all that was left on the sea was the surging water. The reef is gone. There was deathly silence on the “Zhenbei”. Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other generals stared at the empty sea in the distance in amazement, their minds blank. After a long time, Sun Mingde finally found his voice. He turned around, looked at Lin Xiao, and shouted in an almost crazy tone: “Your Majesty! Build me ten more ships! No! Twenty ships! I will fill this sea with the dragon flags of Zhenbei!” Lin Xiao raised the corners of his mouth slightly, looked at the fanatical eyes of the generals, and uttered three words lightly. “Okay.” After saying this, he turned around and walked towards the cabin, leaving behind a group of generals in ecstasy. A new era has begun. A few months later, winter passed and spring came, and all things revived. New green shoots appeared on the lawn in the backyard of the palace. Several children who can already run and jump are chasing and playing on the grass like a group of happy foals. Lin Rui and Zhang Chengyu were arguing over a wooden spinning top, their faces flushed with anger. The eldest sister Lin Xin, like a little adult, stood with her hands on her hips and scolded her two younger brothers in a serious manner. The two little girls, Lin Youning and Lin Nian, sat quietly by the side, imitating the adults and combing the doll’s hair. Lin Xiao leaned back on the lounge chair in the corridor, enjoying the warm afternoon sunshine. Sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong, one on each side, were massaging his shoulders with just the right amount of strength. Liu Ruyan peeled an orange with her bare hands, picked up a slice and brought it to his mouth. Her fingertips accidentally touched his lips, causing her cheeks to blush slightly. Not far away, Mrs. Lin, Aunt Wang, and Zhang Wanqing were sitting together. While making new clothes for the children, they chatted about family matters, their faces filled with a sense of peace and happiness that came from the bottom of their hearts. “Sir,” Liu Ruyan said softly, a hint of mischief in her eyes, “My sister has written again, asking when you’ll visit her in the capital. She also said that if you don’t go, she’ll come here on her own.” Lin Xiao smiled when he heard that. Just as he was about to speak, Nini walked in heroically in military uniform. She looked capable and skilled as a soldier, but when she saw Lin Xiao, her eyes instantly turned into tenderness. “Brother Lin Xiao.” She called softly and handed over a military newspaper. Lin Xiao took it, and the satisfaction on his face slowly faded. It is spring again, the ice and snow have melted, and the hyenas that have been dormant for the whole winter have bared their fangs again. The sea off Dengzhou is vast and blue. Hundreds of Japanese pirate warships of various sizes covered the sea surface like a moving dark cloud. On the largest ship, the Ataka ship, a short Japanese pirate general named Matsushita Goro, who was wearing a gorgeous domaru suit, was holding a monocular telescope and looking greedily at the coastline that was vaguely visible in the distance. “Hahahaha!” He put down the telescope and let out a shrill laugh. “See that, Tanaka? That’s the coast of Zhenbei Country! There are mountains of silk and porcelain, and beauties more mellow than sake!” Beside him, a warrior with a scar on his face—Tanaka—also wore a grim smile. “General, last year, we only made a tentative move, but we managed to rob enough wealth to keep us happy for half a year. This time, we’ve assembled the West’s most elite navy, and we’ll definitely show those mainlanders the power of our Great Sun warriors!” Matsushita Goro nodded proudly, his eyes filled with contempt. “Their navy is nothing more than a bunch of old rafts. In last year’s battle, our clippers and Portuguese cannons sent them fleeing in panic! This time, I’m going to storm their harbor and burn that city to the ground!” “General, you are wise!” Tanaka bowed, his eyes blazing with enthusiasm. “I will capture a hundred women from the mainland and bring them back as slaves!” The Japanese pirates on the fleet burst into obscene laughter. In their view, this expedition was nothing more than an armed parade and a feast of wealth that was within their reach. Dengzhou Port. “Woo—woo—woo—” The shrill and long alarm broke the tranquility of the port. On the watchtower, the soldier on guard rang the alarm bell with a pale face, his voice changing tone: “Enemy attack! It’s the Japanese pirates! Countless Japanese pirate ships!” The entire port was instantly plunged into great panic. At the dock, the workers who were unloading cargo dropped the goods in their hands and ran towards the city for their lives. The vendors screamed and overturned their stalls, just wanting to get away from this deadly sea. The women hugged their children tightly, their faces full of despair and fear. The horrors of last year are still fresh in our minds. The bloody scenes of the massacres in those fishing villages are a nightmare for all coastal residents. The port’s garrison officer rushed onto the dock with a team of soldiers. Looking at the dark shadows of ships on the sea level, his hands and feet were cold. Fight? How? What can we use to fight against hundreds of warships? Despair, like a plague, spread in everyone’s heart. Just when everyone thought the end was coming. “Woo——” A whistle that was completely different from the alarm, and was extremely powerful, deep, and full of strength, suddenly rang out from the huge dock in the deepest part of the harbor. The sound, as if coming from the awakening of an ancient giant beast, pierced through the clouds and split the rocks, instantly drowning out all the screams and chaos. The entire dock, and even half of Dengzhou City, fell silent. Everyone subconsciously stopped and looked in horror in the direction of the sound. Under the gazes of countless shocked, puzzled, and terrified people, the huge gate of the dock was slowly opening to both sides. A gray steel behemoth silently and slowly sailed out of the dock. It has no sails, only two thick chimneys pointing straight to the sky, emitting billowing black smoke. Its hull, made entirely of riveted huge steel plates, reflects a cold and cruel luster in the sunlight. The most breathtaking thing was the two slowly rotating huge turrets on the hull. The four black gun barrels, like four giant eyes staring at death, silently swept towards the open sea. “What… what is that…” A knowledgeable old shipwright pointed at the huge steel ship, his eyes widening as he trembled. “How can a ship… be made of iron? How can it float?” “It’s the king’s miracle! It’s the divine soldiers sent by the king to save us!” A commoner suddenly realized what was happening, and he fell to his knees with a plop, crying loudly. Chapter 454: The Wrath of the Sea God At the same time, on the Japanese pirate fleet. The arrogant laughter stopped abruptly. The smugness on Goro Matsushita’s face froze in an instant, and was replaced by horror as if he had seen a ghost. The telescope in his hand fell to the deck with a “click”. His mouth opened wide enough to fit a fist in it, pointing at the steel behemoth in the distance that was slowly sailing out of the port. A strange “clucking” sound came from his throat, but he couldn’t utter a word. “General… General… what… what kind of monster is that?” The scar on Tanaka’s face twitched violently with fear. “Is it… is it the Sea God? Is the legendary Sea Dragon King angry?” All the Japanese pirates stared blankly at the huge monster that was beyond their comprehension. It was so big that it made their Antakusen look like a small sampan. It was so hideous. The cold steel and the black muzzle brought a shudder from the depths of the soul. This is not a boat. This is divine punishment. The Japanese pirate fleet, which was so noisy just a second ago, was now as silent as death. Only the sea breeze blew across the pale and distorted faces. On the bridge of the “Zhenbei”, Lin Xiao looked indifferently at the Japanese pirate fleet that had been thrown into disarray through the glass window, with a cold arc at the corner of his mouth. “Full speed ahead.” “yes!” As the order was given, the heart of the “Zhenbei” the steam turbine began to roar at full speed. The propeller at the stern stirred wildly, pushing the sea water into a huge white wave wider than the city wall. The entire steel ship, like a giant arrow shot from a bow, rushed towards them at a speed that the Japanese pirates could not understand. “Quick! Turn! Run!” Goro Matsushita finally found his voice and let out a shrill scream. But it was too late. Their wooden boats could only travel at a maximum speed of seven or eight knots with a tailwind. At this moment, the “Zhenbei” was plowing a death route on the sea at a terrifying speed of more than 20 knots. In the eyes of the Japanese pirates, the giant steel beast was growing rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the oncoming sense of oppression almost burst their hearts. “Main gun, aim at the enemy flagship.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm without a trace of emotion. “Target locked!” “Fire.” “boom !!” A deafening roar shook the entire sea surface. The two gun barrels of the front main turret of the “Zhenbei” suddenly spewed out two huge orange red fireballs. Two armor piercing shells weighing hundreds of kilograms, with the screams of death, tore through the air, instantly crossed a distance of several kilometers, and accurately hit the Japanese pirates’ flagship, the Antaku ship where Goro Matsushita was. Goro Matsushita only saw two small black dots rapidly enlarging in his field of vision, and then… nothing happened. Boom!! An explosion was heard, a hundred times more violent than the previous cannon fire. The Ataka flagship, which was built of fine wood and embodied the Japanese pirates’ top shipbuilding technology, was like an egg that was hit hard. At the moment of the explosion, the huge hull broke directly in the middle. Countless burning wood chips, broken planks, and human limbs were carried up to the sky hundreds of meters high by the huge air waves, just like a firework. In just one second, the majestic flagship completely disappeared from the sea. All that was left was a huge whirlpool and a blood red sea with countless debris floating on it. All the Japanese pirates who saw this scene completely collapsed. “The devil…it’s the devil!” “Run! Run!” “Amaterasu! Save us!” The entire Japanese pirate fleet was in chaos in an instant, and there was no longer any formation. All the ships were turning their heads frantically like headless flies, trying desperately to get away from the steel monster that brought death. However, the “Zhenbei” was like a tiger rushing into a sheepfold. “Hit it.” Lin Xiao gave a more concise order. The “Zhenbei” slightly adjusted its course and aimed directly at the slowest Guan ship. The Japanese pirates on the ship watched helplessly as the huge, knife sharp steel bow continued to grow larger before their eyes, their faces filled with despair. There was no loud noise, only a teeth grinding “crack”. The Zhenbei used its powerful ram to easily split the wooden ship in two. The pirates on board fell into the icy water like dumplings, screaming miserably. The “Zhenbei” was unharmed and did not even slow down much, continuing its hunting. “Secondary guns, free fire.” “Da da da da—” The 150mm secondary guns on both sides of the ship began to roar, and the dense shells were like the scythe of the god of death, sweeping back and forth in the Japanese pirate fleet. The deck of a speedboat was hit by a cannonball, instantly blowing a big hole in it, and a dozen Japanese pirates on the deck were torn to pieces. The mast of another ship was broken by a cannon, and the huge sail fell down with burning flames, turning the entire ship into a torch on the sea. The scar on Tanaka’s face was shaking badly. He was yelling hysterically and ordering his men to row hard. But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the ferocious turret of the “Zhenbei” slowly turning towards him. He saw a flash of fire from the dark muzzle of the gun. “No ” His shouts were drowned out by the loud explosion. It was a massacre. A complete and one sided massacre without any suspense. Half an hour later, the sea returned to calm. Of the hundreds of once invincible Japanese pirate warships, only countless pieces of wood and thousands of cold corpses are left floating on the sea. The “Zhenbei” was quietly anchored on the blood red sea. Its gray steel hull was not even scratched in the reflection of the setting sun. The news spread across the entire eastern coast of the kingdom overnight as if it had wings. The Zhenbei Daily rushed out an extra edition, with the front page headline, in the most eye catching and boldest bold font: “Wrath of the Sea God: The Zhenbei’s First Battle, Annihilating Hundreds of Japanese Pirate Ships in One Shot!” The streets of Dengzhou City were deserted. The people held up the newspapers and read aloud every word over and over again, their voices filled with ecstasy and pride. “We won! We won!” “Hahaha! Total annihilation! Not a single one escaped! Those damned Japanese pirates finally got what they deserved!” Zhang Laosan, a fisherman who had his village massacred by Japanese pirates last year but managed to escape, was now kneeling on the dock, wailing and kowtowed heavily towards the direction where the “Zhenbei” was anchored. “The king has appeared! The king has sent the Dragon King to protect us!” Countless people spontaneously flocked to the dock. They looked at the giant steel ship lying in the harbor like a mountain, their eyes filled with the most fanatical admiration. Chapter 455: Personal Expedition Every household took out an incense table, burned incense and kowtowed towards the north. “I used to hear people say that the king was a god sent down from heaven, but I didn’t quite believe it. Now I believe it! Who else but a true god could create such a divine sea soldier?” “That’s right! Look at what’s written in the newspaper. Our ‘Zhenbei’ destroyed the pirate leader and his ship with one shot! We just rammed into their ship and broke it in two! Haha, what a relief! So satisfying!” In pubs, teahouses, streets and alleys, everyone was talking about this resounding victory. Every citizen of Zhenbei Kingdom had an unprecedented sense of pride and honor on their face. From today on, this sea belongs to Lin. Royal Palace, Council Hall. Military generals such as Sun Mingde and Wang Jian were sitting upright at this moment, looking at Lin Xiao who was sitting in the main seat with burning eyes. They knew that a hearty defensive counterattack was definitely not the end for the King. Lin Xiao tapped lightly with his fingers on the battle report on the complete annihilation of the Japanese pirates on the table. The sound was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone. “The threat of the Japanese pirates is like a thorn in our side, harassing our coasts and slaughtering our people. If we repel them once, they will come a second time. If we repel them ten times, they will come an eleventh time.” He looked around at everyone, his eyes calm and sharp. “Just fighting at home will never solve the problem.” He stood up, walked to the huge sand table, stretched out his hand across the territory of the Great Zhou, and pointed to the vast blue ocean in the east. “I have made up my mind. I will personally lead my navy on an expedition to the East China Sea, directly attack their capital, and completely wipe them out from this world. I will make all the villains on this sea understand one thing: anyone who dares to challenge my Northern Guard will be punished, no matter how far away they are.” “Go on the expedition in person!” “Expedition to the East China Sea!” In the conference room, it suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Song Qinghe and Li Dequan looked at each other and saw extreme shock in each other’s eyes. Since ancient times, dynasties in the Central Plains have all been based on land, and have always been afraid of fighting across the sea. Your Majesty’s move is more than just creating the world! After a brief shock, there was a frenzy like a volcanic eruption. “Your Majesty is wise!” Sun Mingde was the first to jump up, with veins exposed on his thick neck. He punched his breastplate, making a dull “bang” sound. “I will be your vanguard! Damn it, I promise to crush the entire Japanese pirate nation!” “General Sun, this is a naval battle. Why are you, the general of the army, getting involved?” Wang Jian made a rare joke, but then he clasped his fists with a serious expression and said, “Your Majesty, the navy is newly established. Although I don’t understand naval warfare, I am willing to hold the whip and stirrup for Your Majesty and serve you at your side!” Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling them to stay calm. “This time, the ‘Zhenbei’ will serve as the flagship, along with four newly launched ‘Polang’ class ironclad cruisers and twenty ‘Zhuifeng’ class steam gunboats, forming the First Task Force.” His fingers moved across the sand table, as if he had already seen the war that spanned the ages. “There’s only one tactic. Utilize our absolute advantage. Use the Zhenbei’s heavy artillery to eliminate the enemy’s main warships and coastal fortifications, out of range. Cruisers will blockade the sea, while gunboats will eliminate any that slip through the net.” He said it calmly, but everyone present felt a chill running down their spine. This is no longer a warning, but a verdict. “We, swear to follow the king until death, and pacify the East Sea!” Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan and others all knelt down, their voices thundering, their eyes filled with indescribable reverence and fanaticism. Three days later, Dengzhou Port. Outside the port, an unprecedented fleet was quietly waiting for the order to set out. Leading the way was the mountain like steel behemoth the Zhenbei. Behind it, four slightly smaller but equally heavily armored ironclad cruisers stood guard on its sides like four loyal guards. Further away, twenty agile and swift steam gunboats formed up on the sea, their black muzzles emitting a heart pounding aura. Hundreds of chimneys spewed black smoke into the sky at the same time, almost turning the blue sky gray. Cold steel, ferocious turrets, and the fluttering Zhenbei Dragon flag. This fleet itself is an epic of violence and conquest. The dock and the dozens of miles of coastline along the coast were filled with people who came spontaneously to see them off. There were huge crowds of people, shoulder to shoulder. At this moment, their eyes were red and they were waving their arms with all their strength. Some people tried desperately to stuff the best eggs and freshly baked pancakes in their homes into the hands of the soldiers who were about to board the ship. When Lin Xiao, wearing a specially made black general’s uniform, stepped onto the deck of the “Zhenbei” and appeared in everyone’s sight, the entire coastline instantly boiled over. “May the King be victorious!” “Zhenbei Wansheng!” “Destroy the Japanese pirates! Enhance our nation’s prestige!” The deafening shouts gathered into a huge wave of sound, as if it was going to overwhelm the sea tide. Countless people knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily in the direction of the fleet. Their king will carry their hatred and hope to seek revenge on those demons. “Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!” The “Zhenbei” sounded its majestic whistle. Fleet, set sail. Thousands of miles away, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The palace was still as dead as ever. Li Yan was impatiently using a small knife to trim the eyebrows and eyes of a wooden sculpture, but for some reason, he just didn’t like it no matter how he looked at it today. “Bang!” He smashed the wooden sculpture to the ground, breaking it into pieces. Just then, a little eunuch came crawling in with a strange expression on his face, one that looked like both fear and excitement. “Your Majesty, a secret report from the north!” Li Yan took it impatiently, unfolded it, and the irritability on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a morbid ecstasy. “Hahaha…hahahahaha!” He pinched the thin piece of paper, laughing so hard that tears were almost coming out. “Personally conquer the East China Sea? That peasant, he actually wants to personally conquer the East China Sea? Who does he think he is? The Dragon King of the Sea?” Li Yan’s laughter sounded particularly harsh in the empty hall. “Someone, come! Call Zhou Mubai!” Soon, the old prime minister Zhou Mubai, with white hair and beard, walked into the hall with a staggering gait. “My dear, what great news!” Li Yan threw the secret report in front of Zhou Mubai, his face showing undisguised gloating. “Look, that traitor Lin Xiao has gone to his own grave!” Zhou Mubai picked up the secret report and took a look at it. His old pupils suddenly shrank and his hand holding the paper tightened unconsciously. “He thinks he can conquer the ocean by building a few iron hulled ships?” Li Yan grinned and paced back and forth. “How arrogant and ignorant! How can mortals fathom the might of the ocean? Storms, huge waves, hidden reefs, any one of them can bring his shabby fleet to ruin!” “He’s just making things easier for me! Once he’s eaten by the fish, his so called Zhenbei Kingdom will collapse on its own! Hahahaha!” Chapter 456: Crushing Zhou Mubai lowered his head, his gray beard trembling slightly. He remembered the blurry but still shocking portrait of the “Zhenbei” published in the “Zhenbei Daily”, the incredible railway and telegraph, and the epidemic prevention measures that could revive the dead and turn flesh into bones. Lin Xiao, is he the kind of person who would fight an unprepared battle? He didn’t dare to think about it, nor did he want to think about it. He only felt a chill that penetrated deep into his bones, rising from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The emperor of the Great Zhou, their emperor, has completely lived in his own fantasy. “Your Majesty is wise.” Zhou Mubai bowed slowly, burying all his worries, fears and sorrows deeply under this respectful agreement. He raised his head and looked at the young emperor sitting on the dragon throne, laughing wildly because his self righteous plan had succeeded. His eyes went dark. Sadness, this is the sadness of the Great Zhou. Deep in the East China Sea, on an island called “Ghost Rock Island”, a feast of demons dancing wildly is taking place. This is the largest nest of Japanese pirates in the East China Sea. In the hall of the main camp on the island, the Japanese pirate leader Yamada Yukio was shirtless, holding two women abducted from the Central Plains in his arms , pouring cup after cup of sake into their mouths, which caused the surrounding Japanese pirates to burst into laughter. “Hahahaha! Drink! Give it all to me!” Yamada Yukio’s face was full of fat and his eyes were sleepy with drunkenness. One of the one eyed men laughed and said, “Chief, I heard that the so called King of Zhenbei destroyed Songxia Wulang’s fleet and is coming to attack us?” “Conquer us?” Yamada Yukio spat out a mouthful of wine as if he had heard a huge joke. “This ocean is the territory bestowed upon us by Amaterasu! Let alone a peasant king from a continent, even if their emperor came, he would be torn to pieces by the Dragon King!” The hall erupted in laughter again. “That’s right! We have the protection of Amaterasu and the God of the Sea. This sea is our best wall!” “When his wrecked boat arrives, we won’t even have to do anything. A wave of wind and rain will feed him to the fish!” Yamada Yukio triumphantly pinched the woman’s face in his arms, his eyes filled with cruelty and greed. “When he dies, we can rob him and his boat together! I haven’t even tasted their prince’s woman yet!” Obscene laughter filled the entire hall. In their eyes, Lin Xiao’s personal expedition was nothing more than the arrogant clamor of an ignorant man, a joke that was delivered to their doorstep. A few days later. A Japanese pirate scout speedboat was cruising around Guiyan Island. The sea was calm, and a few Japanese pirates were lazily leaning on the side of the ship, enjoying the sea breeze. Suddenly, the Japanese pirate in charge of lookout rubbed his eyes, pointed to the place where the sea and the sky met in the distance, and stammered, “You…you guys, look, what is that?” Everyone looked in the direction he pointed. I saw dozens of black spots appearing on the distant sea level. Soon after, the black spots became more and more numerous and larger. That’s not a boat. In other words, it was not any kind of ship they knew. Huge, pitch black steel figures are slowly rising from below the sea level. They have no sails, only thick chimneys that spew out billowing black smoke, dyeing the blue sky an ominous gray. In the sea breeze, there was a faint low roar, like the heartbeat of a giant beast. As the distance got closer, they finally saw the outlines of the monsters. The cold steel, the ferocious turret, and the black muzzle were like the eyes of the devil staring at them. “The sea…the sea god is angry!” The Japanese pirates on the scout ship were terrified and their hearts were broken. Where had they ever seen such a scene? This was simply not something human could create! The scout ship turned around frantically and crawled towards Ghost Rock Island. “Good for nothings! A bunch of trash!” In the hall, Yamada Yukio kicked the scout captain, who was so scared that he was incoherent, to the ground, his face full of rage. “What ship made of steel? What’s bigger than a mountain? I think you’ve been bewitched by a sea demon! You’re talking nonsense and shaking the morale of the army. Come, drag him out and chop him off!” “Captain, please spare me! Captain, please spare me! It’s true! It’s true!” The scout captain hugged Yamada Yukio’s thigh, tears streaming down his face. “I saw it with my own eyes. That… that was definitely not a human fleet!” Yamada Yukichi spat impatiently, feeling increasingly annoyed. He pushed the scout captain aside and strode out: “I’m going to go see what it is that scared you like this!” He took a group of his confidants and climbed to the highest observation tower on the island. When he raised the telescope and looked in the direction the scout said, the hideous smile on his face froze instantly. In the field of view of the telescope, a fleet composed of pure steel and artillery fire was lined up in neat formation, silently and firmly, heading towards Guiyan Island. The steel behemoth at the head was like a moving mountain, and just looking at it made people breathless. Each of the smaller steel warships around it was several times larger than its most proud Atakabune. Yamada Yukio’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and the telescope fell to the ground with a clang. The color on his face faded at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning pale. impossible…… How is this possible? How could such a thing exist in this world? How could humans create such a monster? The experience he relied on for survival, the fleet he was proud of, the sea god he believed in… at this moment, they were all shattered by the silent steel fleet. An unprecedented fear rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making his whole body cold, as if he had fallen into an icy cave. Just then. “Woooooooooooooooooooo!” An extremely powerful, deep, and long whistle full of absolute power came from the distant flagship and resounded through the sky. Yukio Yamada, who was on the observation deck, felt his legs go weak and he collapsed to the ground. He understood. That was the clarion call to attack. It’s the roar of death. On the sea, on the bridge of the “Zhenbei”, Lin Xiao looked indifferently at the island that had come into sight. “General attack.” “Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!” The fleet sounded a deafening whistle, like the roar of a giant beast. All the warships began to accelerate, the rams on the bows split the blue sea, plowing out dozens of huge white waves, and rushing towards the Japanese pirates’ nest with unstoppable momentum. “Meet the enemy! Quick! Meet the enemy!” On the cliff, Yamada Yukio screamed hysterically, his voice becoming sharp and distorted because of fear. Hundreds of Japanese pirate wooden ships rushed out of the port in a panic like a swarm of disturbed bees, desperately trying to meet the steel fleet. Chapter 457: Razed to the Ground Countless rockets, burning oil tanks, and even huge rocks thrown by catapults smashed into the “Zhenbei”. However, the intensive attacks landed on the thick armor of the “Zhenbei”, leaving only a series of “ding dong” sounds and a few harmless sparks, without even a white mark. It’s totally tickling. “Main guns, clear the shore defenses.” Lin Xiao’s voice was like the sentence of death. “BOOM—BOOM—!” The two main turrets of the “Zhenbei” turned slightly, and then spewed out flames of destruction. Four shells whistled across the sky and accurately hit the wooden watchtowers and fortifications on the cliffs on both sides of the Japanese pirate port . Amidst the violent explosion, the hard rocks and huge wood were blown to pieces like paper and flew all over the sky. With just one round of salvos, the port defenses that the Japanese pirates had built for decades were razed to the ground. “Secondary guns, free fire.” “Da da da da—!” The secondary guns on both sides of the warship began to roar, and the dense rain of shells instantly covered the Japanese pirate fleet that was in the front. A wooden boat was directly hit by a cannonball and shattered into pieces in the huge explosion. Dozens of Japanese pirates on the boat were thrown into the sky along with the fragments of the hull before they even had time to scream. The deck of another ship was swept by rows of shells, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and it was cleared in an instant. The charging Japanese pirate fleet was like wheat harvested by a giant sickle, turning into burning wreckage in large areas. On the deck of the “Zhenbei”, rows of Zhenbei Army soldiers calmly raised their muskets. “Fire!” “Bang bang bang bang bang ” Dense bullets formed whips of fire, accurately lashing at the Japanese pirate ships that had managed to get close. On the deck, the Japanese pirates who were waving their samurai swords and preparing to board the ship for hand to hand combat suddenly had blood mist burst out of their bodies and fell to the ground with screams. Their counterattack seemed so ridiculous and powerless in the face of absolute crushing strength. Morale completely collapsed. The surviving Japanese pirates threw away their weapons, cried and jumped into the sea like dumplings, trying to escape. However, what greeted them was an even more intense barrage of bullets fired from the gunboat. The sea surface was soon dyed red. This was a massacre without any suspense. On the “Zhenbei”, Lin Xiao had a blank expression on his face. “Landing.” The order was given. At the rear of the fleet, dozens of small landing craft powered by steam engines were launched, like arrows shot from a bow, carrying teams of Zhenbei Army soldiers in black uniforms, heading straight for Guiyan Island. “Bang! Bang! Bang!” The remaining Japanese pirates on the island relied on rocks and wooden forts to try to make a final resistance. They brandished samurai swords, howled like wild beasts, and shot at the landing soldiers with crude muskets and bows and arrows. However, what greeted them was the cold and efficient line of death fire spewed out by the muskets. “Da da da da—” A Japanese pirate leader who had just jumped out from behind cover and was about to charge was pierced through by several bullets in an instant. Several clouds of blood mist exploded on his chest. The ferocious look on his face had not yet disappeared when he fell straight back. A Zhenbei Army soldier calmly emptied a magazine and quickly replaced it with a new one. The whole process was smooth and there was not a single unnecessary movement. They worked in groups of three or five, advancing steadily from the beach to the heart of the island in a textbook tactical formation. The sounds of gunfire, screams, and explosions filled the island. This was a clear up operation without any suspense. The advance of the Zhenbei Army soldiers was like a hot iron pressed on a piece of butter, unstoppable and uninterrupted. Half an hour later, the gunshots gradually subsided. The entire Guiyan Island, where the Japanese pirates had been hiding for a hundred years, was completely cleared out. The highest main camp of the Japanese pirates was set on fire, and thick black smoke rose into the sky, which could be clearly seen dozens of miles away. “Your Majesty, everything is resolved.” Sun Mingde strode over, his body stained with blood but his face full of excitement. “What are the casualties?” “Three people were killed and ten were seriously injured. They were all ambushed by the Japanese pirates hiding in the dark.” There was a hint of regret in Sun Mingde’s tone. Lin Xiao nodded. This result was within his expectations. “Count the spoils, treat the wounded, and comfort the captured people.” “yes!” Soon, the soldiers made a shocking discovery from the main camp of the Japanese pirates. When a heavy basement door was pushed open, all the soldiers in charge of the inventory gasped in shock at the scene before them. Gold and silver were piled up casually in the corner like small hills, reflecting a dazzling light under the light of the torches. Boxes of jewelry and jade are neatly stacked. Deeper in the depths, there are countless silks, porcelains, and teas, all of which are the wealth they looted from the coastal areas of the Central Plains. “Oh my God… these bastards stole so much stuff!” A young soldier couldn’t help but curse, his eyes widening. “We’ve made it! We’ve really made it this time!” “With this money, how many ironclad ships can be built, and how many miles of railway can be built!” Amid the excited discussions, everyone looked at Lin Xiao with increasingly fanatical eyes. The king is not only the god of war, but also the god of wealth! At the same time, another team of soldiers discovered a huge, dark and damp cave in the back mountain of the island. Inside, there were tens of thousands of imprisoned “slaves”. There were captured fishermen from the Great Zhou, people from neighboring small countries, and even some blond haired and blue eyed Westerners. They were half naked, skinny, with numb eyes, like the walking dead. When the sunlight shone in from the cave entrance and when soldiers in Zhenbei military uniforms appeared, they subconsciously curled up, their faces full of fear. “Fellow villagers, don’t be afraid! We are the King of Zhenbei’s men, and we are here to rescue you!” A soldier shouted loudly in the official language of the Great Zhou Dynasty. “We…are saved?” In the crowd, an old man who was so thin that he looked unrecognizable was muttering to himself with trembling lips. After a brief silence, earth shaking cries erupted in the cave. The fear, despair and pain that have been suppressed for too long are released at this moment. Countless people rushed out of the cave, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed heavily in the direction of Lin Xiao and the fluttering Zhenbei Dragon Flag. “Oh, my Lord!” “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Master!” “Wow, wow, wow… I can finally go home…” The crying was deafening and everyone who heard it shed tears. Lin Xiao looked at this scene with a calm expression. He just ordered the kitchen team to start cooking immediately and cook hot porridge so that all the rescued people could have a hot meal. Soon, the remaining Japanese pirate captives, including their leader Yamada Yukio, were brought before Lin Xiao. Chapter 458 Demonstration in the Capital Hundreds of prisoners were tied together with ropes by the soldiers, kneeling on the ground, shaking like sieves. “Those who are able to work will be drafted into hard labor camps and sent to mines and newly built factories in the north, so that they can atone for their past sins with their own bones.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it made everyone who heard it feel a chill. This would make them more desperate than killing them directly. Yamada Yukio had long lost his previous arrogance. His face was ashen and his whole body was shaking like a sieve. He immediately fell to his knees with a plop and kowtowed desperately. “Master, please spare my life! Master of the Celestial Empire, please spare my life!” He kowtowed and shouted in broken Chinese, “I, a lowly person, have failed to recognize the true emperor and have offended the majesty of Heaven! I surrender! I am willing to serve you like a slave!” Other pirate leaders followed suit, and for a moment, the sounds of kowtows and pleas for mercy filled the air. “I am willing to offer all my wealth, just to ask you to spare my life!” “Sir! I… I am willing to offer my most beautiful daughter to you. She is only sixteen years old and still a virgin! Please accept her!” Seeing this, Yamada Yukio also hurriedly shouted, “Me! I also have a daughter! I also have a new concubine, a princess snatched from Goryeo, as beautiful as a fairy. I present them to you, my lord! Please show some mercy!” In order to survive, they rushed to sacrifice their wives and daughters, and behaved in a very ugly manner. Lin Xiao looked at them coldly, without a trace of emotion in his eyes, only undisguised contempt and disdain. He didn’t even bother to talk nonsense with these ants. He waved his hand gently. “Drag them all away.” “No! Sir! Spare my life…” The pleas for mercy stopped abruptly. The soldiers dragged all the Japanese pirate leaders away like dead dogs. “Leave a few leaders and interrogate them separately.” Lin Xiao added to Sun Mingde. “Yes!” A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Sun Mingde’s eyes. The result of the interrogation was as expected. Sun Mingde quickly squeezed out the distribution map of all pirate strongholds and routes in the East China Sea from the mouths of several Japanese pirate leaders. Three days later, the Zhenbei Fleet wiped out all the strongholds in the East China Sea and set off on its return journey. The huge steel fleet, loaded with mountains of gold and silver seized from Guiyan Island, sailed towards Zhenbei Kingdom in a mighty manner. On the deck, tens of thousands of rescued civilians, although still pale and thin, had the light of “hope” rekindled in their eyes. They looked at the Zhenbei Dragon Flag fluttering in the wind, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe. On the bridge of the “Zhenbei”, Lin Xiao’s voice was flat. “Pass the order. The fleet will take a detour to the capital’s canal.” The generals behind him were slightly stunned, and then their eyes burst into excitement. Going to the capital? Everyone knew what the king was going to do. In the capital of Great Zhou, the canal leading to the sea is as busy as ever today. The people and vendors on both sides of the strait have long been accustomed to this kind of noise. Suddenly, a low, never before heard roar came from the direction of the canal’s mouth, as if the earth was shaking. Immediately afterwards, a powerful and penetrating whistle blew, resounding through the sky. “Woooooooooooooooooooooooo!” The entire capital seemed to tremble. The people on both sides of the canal stopped what they were doing in shock and looked in the direction of the sound. “What’s going on?” “Is it thundering?” Soon, they saw a scene that they would never forget. A… no, it can no longer be called a ship. A dark, moving mountain made of steel was slowly approaching from the corner of the canal. It has no sails, only tall chimneys spewing thick smoke into the sky. The cold steel hull, the ferocious cannon turret, and the black muzzles were pointing directly towards the imperial palace in the capital. Behind it, there were several smaller steel monsters, lined up in a row, moving forward silently and firmly. Both sides of the canal fell into deathly silence in an instant. Everyone was shocked. They stared with their eyes wide open and their mouths agape as they stared blankly at this fleet that seemed to come from hell as it slowly passed by them. The oppressive feeling brought by the huge body made everyone on the shore feel suffocated. “Oh my God…what…what kind of monster is this?” An old boatman was so scared that he sat down on the ground, shaking all over. “It’s… it’s Lin Xiao’s ship from the north!” A knowledgeable businessman in the crowd recognized the unique dragon flag on the ship, and his voice trembled. “What? This is the ‘Zhenbei’ that the newspapers mentioned, the one that can flatten an island with a single shot?” “What…what do they want to do? Are they going to attack the capital?” Panic began to spread. At this moment, tens of thousands of rescued civilians on the fleet were organized to stand on the deck. Although they were ragged, they were very excited and waved their arms towards the shore with all their strength. “We were rescued by King Zhenbei!” “The Japanese pirates have been wiped out by the king! Guiyan Island has been razed to the ground!” “May your majesty win! May your majesty win!” Intermittent shouts were carried to the shore by the wind. The crowd on the shore was stunned at first, and then a completely different emotion instantly ignited the entire audience. “What? Were all the Japanese pirates defeated?” “Oh my god! Is this the fleet? Did they really wipe out those damned Japanese pirates?” “Okay! Okay!!” After a brief shock, thunderous cheers erupted on both sides of the canal! Countless people rushed to the shore, jumping, shouting, laughing, and even crying. The coastal merchants and civilians who had suffered from the harassment of Japanese pirates for many years were so excited that they knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately in the direction of the fleet. This cheering was not only for the great victory that made them proud, but also the most direct awe and admiration for the man behind this invincible fleet. They looked at the giant steel ship, their eyes no longer filled with fear, but with fanaticism. Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation. Li Yan was concentrating on using a small file to polish a newly formed wooden beauty in his hand. Suddenly, the sound of a huge whistle and a faint deafening noise coming from outside made him frown. “What’s that noise outside!” he shouted impatiently. A young eunuch came tumbling in, his face pale and his words barely comprehensible. “Your Majesty… Your Majesty… It’s… It’s Lin Xiao’s ironclad ship! It’s… It’s entering the canal!” Li Yan’s hand trembled, and the sharp file cut a deep scar on Mu Meiren’s face. The concentration on his face disappeared in an instant, replaced by disbelief, which then turned into raging rage. “What did you say!” He stood up suddenly and rushed out of the hall, where he heard the deafening sound of the whistle and cheers that seemed to blow the roof of the palace off. Chapter 459 The King Returns “He rebelled! He rebelled!” Li Yan’s face was distorted with anger. He roared, rushed back into the hall, grabbed the disfigured wooden beauty, and slammed her to the ground with all his strength! “Bang!” The wood carving fell apart. “Lin Xiao! You peasant! Traitor! How dare you sail your shabby boat right under my feet! You’re demonstrating! You’re showing disrespect to the Emperor!!” He roared madly in the hall and smashed everything that could be smashed to pieces. However, after the roar, all that remains is a deep sense of powerlessness. What can he do? He can’t do anything. They could only watch helplessly as that traitor was cheered on by his own people in his own capital. Li Yan fell down on the dragon throne, gasping for breath, his eyes full of bloodshot and unwillingness. On the city wall of Beijing. Zhou Mubai had white hair and beard and a hunched body. He leaned against the cold city wall and silently watched the huge steel fleet slowly pass through the canal and finally disappear in the distance. He heard the cheers of the people in the city, and that sound was like a sharp knife piercing his heart. The people of Da Zhou were cheering for Da Zhou’s rebellion. How ironic. However, Lin Xiao is no longer an existence that mortals can fathom. The old prime minister slowly closed his eyes, and only endless bitterness and despair remained on his wrinkled face. The trend is gone. Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan moved back again and was sitting quietly by the window reading a book. Her personal maid Qiuyue ran in like a gust of wind, with uncontrollable excitement and shock on her face. “My Queen! My Queen, did you see that? What a huge ship!” Qiuyue gestured with her hands, trying her best to describe the huge steel beast she saw on the palace wall. “… taller than a three story building! It’s made entirely of black steel, emitting huge clouds of smoke. Just looking at it is terrifying! And the muzzle is thicker than a bucket! Everyone in the palace says it was this gun that wiped out the Japanese pirates! The people in the capital are practically going crazy!” Liu Weilan listened quietly and put down the book in her hand. She walked to the window and looked towards the canal. Although she could not see anything, the deafening sound of the whistle seemed to echo in her ears. The corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up into a faint arc. A hint of pride and a hint of confusion flashed in his cold eyes. This man once again shocked the whole world. A few days later, when the Zhenbei Fleet returned to the kingdom’s main port in a mighty force, the entire port city was in an uproar. From the dock to the main roads in the city, the streets were deserted and packed with people. Streamers and flags were hung on the windowsills of every household, and the sounds of gongs, drums and firecrackers resounded through the sky, as if celebrating the grandest festival. “The King is back! Our royal army has returned in triumph!” “Look! It’s the Zhenbei! Oh my God, it’s even bigger than it looked in the newspaper! Even more majestic!” The children were carried on the shoulders of their adults, waving their hands and screaming at the top of their lungs. Countless people flocked to the dock, their faces filled with heartfelt excitement and pride. When the steel fleet slowly approached the port, the oppressive feeling brought by its huge body made everyone on the shore subconsciously hold their breath. Then, when the soldiers began to carry the spoils down from the ship, the crowd went wild. Box after box of gold bars and silver ingots were carried off the ship and piled directly on the open space at the dock. In the sunlight, the golden and white light is so bright that people can’t open their eyes. Soon, there were veritable mountains of gold and silver piled up on the dock. Then, there were countless jewels, jades, silks, and precious porcelains… These treasures accumulated over decades of looting by the Japanese pirates were now displayed in front of all the people without any cover. “Oh my God! I have never seen so much money in my life!” Wang Tiezhu opened his mouth wide and his saliva was almost flowing out. He rubbed his eyes hard, fearing that he was dreaming. “Dad, it’s true!” Wang Gousheng, who was standing beside him, was so excited that his face turned red. “This money is enough for our king to build a lot more ironclad ships like this! Let’s see who dares to bully us again in the future!” On the dock, everyone was talking and marveling. They looked at the tall figure standing with his hands behind his back on the giant ship, and there was only the most fanatical admiration in their eyes. Following such a king, you can not only have enough food and clothing, but also stand up straight and be proud! The next day, the front page of the Zhenbei Daily published a detailed report of the naval battle with the most eye catching headline. In a stunning battle, Guiyan Island is pacified! The Northern Zhen Wang army wipes out the century old plague in the East China Sea! The newspaper also included an illustration of the “Zhenbei” carefully drawn by a military painter. The ferocious turret and huge hull were extremely visually impactful. “Quick! Give me a newspaper!” “I want one too! I want one too!” People rushed to buy the newspaper in front of newsstands everywhere, and in many places, the newspaper was even reprinted several times but still could not meet the demand. At Wang Tiezhu’s home, his grandson, who had just finished school, was reading the contents of the newspaper word by word for everyone. “…The Zhenbei’s main guns fired a barrage, and the bandit leader Yamada Yukio’s lair was instantly reduced to rubble… Our soldiers were like gods descending from heaven. At the small cost of three casualties, they wiped out tens of thousands of Japanese pirates and rescued over ten thousand abducted civilians…” Listening to his grandson’s childish yet clear recitation, Wang Tiezhu excitedly slapped his thigh: “Good! Good! Well done! These damned Japanese pirates have finally gotten their comeuppance!” Several neighbors in the house also echoed, their words full of admiration for the Zhenbei Army and gratitude to Lin Xiao. The sense of national pride brought about by victory can unite people better than any material rewards. In the royal palace, in the meeting hall. Lin Xiao summoned all the core members. Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other generals were all in high spirits, their backs straight, and the excitement on their faces had not yet faded. Civil servants such as Song Qinghe and Li Dequan were looking at the preliminary list of spoils on the table, their hands shaking with excitement. This unexpected windfall is enough to take the kingdom’s national strength to a higher level. “Of the gold, silver, and treasures seized this time, aside from the portion used to reward the three armies and provide relief to the families of the fallen soldiers,” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, yet clearly rang out to everyone, “the rest will be invested in improving people’s livelihoods. Railways, hospitals, schools, wherever there’s a shortage of money, we’ll use it to supplement it.” As soon as he finished speaking, Li Dequan stood up with a “whoosh”, his gray beard was shaking, his lips trembling, he wanted to say something, but he was too excited and was speechless for a moment. In the end, he just bowed heavily to Lin Xiao. The king always has the people in his heart! Song Qinghe was also deeply moved. With such a vast fortune, the king had no intention of putting it into his private treasury. This level of generosity was unprecedented in history. Chapter 460 Conquering the Sea Lin Xiao ignored their excitement and continued, “Also, from now on, we will establish an ‘ocean going fleet’.” “Ocean going fleet?” Everyone was stunned. “That’s right.” Lin Xiao walked to the huge world map, slid his finger across the East China Sea, and pointed to the blue unknown area farther away. “This ocean is far more vast than we imagined. It holds countless resources and uncharted territory. Our gaze cannot be limited to the small patch of land before us.” He turned around and looked at the shocked faces. “I will not only encourage the official ocean going fleet to explore, but also encourage the people to work. Pass on my order: any citizen of the kingdom, whether merchants or fishermen, who is willing to form a fleet and go to sea, the kingdom will provide technical support, interest free loans, and naval protection.” “Anyone who discovers new trade routes, new resource sources, or new habitable islands overseas will be generously rewarded by the kingdom, and may even be granted fiefdoms!” boom! These words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the minds of everyone in the conference room. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others stared at Lin Xiao blankly, looking at the vast unknown sea area on the map, with huge waves in their hearts. They originally thought that wiping out the Japanese pirates and dominating the East China Sea was already a great achievement. But they didn’t expect that in the king’s blueprint, this was just the beginning. This is no longer a simple matter of expanding territory; it is about leading the entire kingdom to conquer the sea of stars! After a brief moment of silence, Song Qinghe was the first to react. His cheeks flushed crimson with extreme excitement, and his voice was a little distorted: “Your Majesty! If this succeeds, the wealth of our Zhenbei Kingdom will be inexhaustible! The future… the future is promising!!” Li Dequan also came to his senses. What he saw was that countless people had gained new livelihoods and the kingdom’s economy had taken off again. An unprecedented great era in which land power and sea power are equally important is slowly unfolding before their eyes. A raging fire was burning in everyone’s eyes, and they looked at Lin Xiao as if they were looking up at the true God of creation. The next day, Zhenbei Daily printed three more editions. A piece of news that was enough to drive the entire kingdom crazy was published on the front page. “A Letter to the People of My Country: The stars and the sea are all your territory!” As soon as the news came out, the entire Zhenbei Kingdom, from the prosperous county town to the remote towns, was in an uproar! The largest “Yue Lai Teahouse” in the county town was bustling with people and every seat was packed. In the past, merchants would talk about where the silk price had risen again, where the grain harvest had been good, but today, all the topics were about the same thing. “Boss Jin! Have you read today’s newspaper?” A silk merchant with a bulging belly came over to the next table with a flushed face. The man known as Boss Jin made his fortune by reselling glass mirrors and is now one of the most well known wealthy businessmen in the county town. Jin Shun put down his teacup, his shrewd eyes gleaming with an unprecedented light. He lowered his voice, unable to conceal his excitement, “I’ve seen it! I sent my servants to queue up to buy it before daybreak! My goodness, the king’s handiwork is simply enough to poke a hole in the sky!” “That’s right!” the silk merchant slapped his thigh. “Interest free loans! Naval escort! Even fiefs for discovering new places! My God, this isn’t encouragement for us to do business, it’s the king laying out mountains of gold and silver on the sea, waiting for anyone brave enough to grab them!” Jin Shun nodded in agreement, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, his mind already calculating rapidly. “Before, going out to sea was like hanging your head on your belt, with a high risk of death. If there were storms, you had to pray to God for help; if you encountered pirates, you were doomed. What about now?” He chuckled, “Now that we have the king’s ironclad warships following us, what pirates? The Japanese pirates have all been wiped out. Who else would dare to show up? This is a sure win business!” When the merchants around heard this, they all gathered around and started talking about it. “Boss Jin is right! The King of Risks took care of it for us, and all the benefits are reserved for us!” “I’ve already thought about it! When I get back, I’m going to sell the land at home, scrape together some money, and build a large ocean ship! The newspaper said there’s a spice overseas that’s more valuable than gold!” “I heard there are places overseas where there’s a lot of precious wood that no one wants. If you bring back a boatload of it, you’ll never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of your life!” The entire teahouse, and even the entire city’s business community, were caught up in a frenzy of longing. For the first time, their ambitions were no longer limited to the land of Da Zhou, but were led by Lin Xiao to the vast blue. Compared with the businessmen’s enthusiasm for wealth, the reactions of ordinary people are more pure and simple. At Wang Tiezhu’s home, his grandson, who had just finished school, was holding a newspaper and reading it to him and the neighbors who had rushed over after hearing the news. “…The Kingdom will provide technical support. Anyone who goes out to sea will be considered a pioneering hero, and their families will enjoy honor…” Wang Tiezhu was confused by what he heard and just thought it was very impressive, but his son Wang Gousheng’s eyes became brighter and brighter. “Dad!” Wang Gousheng stood up excitedly. “I understand! The king thinks our land isn’t enough for farming and wants to find new land for us overseas!” “Overseas?” Wang Tiezhu was stunned. “Isn’t it all water?” “It’s not all water!” Wang Gousheng, who had studied geography in school, gestured, “There are many large islands and continents on the other side of the ocean! The newspaper says the soil in some places is even richer than our black soil. You can grow whatever you plant, and you can harvest multiple crops a year!” It can be harvested several times a year! These words hit Wang Tiezhu and all the old farmers around him like a hammer. They deal with the land all their lives, and isn’t their biggest wish to harvest more crops? “Is this true? There is such a good place?” a neighbor asked in disbelief. “What’s written in the newspaper, how could it be false?!” Wang Gousheng slapped the newspaper loudly. “And the king also said that whoever finds it will get a share of the land! Isn’t this the same principle as when we divided the land back then?!” The crowd suddenly exploded. “My goodness, if there really is such a place, I would go and see it even if I had to risk my life!” “We may not have the energy to go out to sea, but our child is still young! This is a great opportunity to bring honor to our family!” Wang Tiezhu looked at his excited son, then looked at his grandson running around in the yard, and a light gradually lit up in his cloudy old eyes. He seemed to see that his own fields were no longer just the three mu in front of him, but extended to the end of the sea. For the first time, this old farmer, who had only dared to think about having enough food to eat, felt a sense of pride called “expanding territory” in his heart. Chapter 461: Navigation Pioneer Similar scenes are played out in every corner of Zhenbei Kingdom. At the dock, the fishermen and sailors who had been doing nothing became the most sought after commodities overnight. Countless businessmen waved silver bills and hired them to go out to sea at high prices. The shipyard’s orders piled up overnight. When many old craftsmen were asked to come out of retirement, they were so excited that they burst into tears and said that their lives were not lived in vain. In bookstores, all old books on geography and navigation were sold out, and even a crude world map could be sold at a sky high price. An unprecedented spirit of adventure and pioneering, sweeping across the entire nation from top to bottom, exploded on this land. Everyone knew that a new era had begun under the guidance of their king. A great era of navigation belonging to Zhenbei Kingdom has arrived! The backyard of the palace. Lin Xiao lay comfortably in the rocking chair, his eyes slightly closed, enjoying this rare tranquility. Not far away, several children who had grown a lot taller were screaming and laughing as they chased the black panther. The two boys, Lin Rui and Zhang Chengyu, ran in the front, trying to encircle the group, while the girls, Lin Xin and Lin Youning, followed behind, cheering for Black Panther, their clear laughter as sweet as silver bells. The black panther seemed to be enjoying it as well. It didn’t really run, but just walked around in circles lazily. From time to time, it turned back and rubbed its big head against the children who were catching up with it, which caused more cheerful exclamations. On the other side of the lawn, the twin sisters Yan Ruoxi and Yan Ruotong were sitting on a huge mat with Mrs. Lin, Zhang Wanqing and other girls. In front of them stood several brand new sewing machines. With the brisk “da da da” sounds, pieces of brightly colored fabric were rapidly being transformed into exquisite and lovely children’s clothing. “Sister, look at this one I made for Xiaoxin. There’s a small orchid embroidered on the collar. Isn’t it prettier than the plain one you made for Xiaorui?” Yan Ruoxi held up a small pink dress and proudly showed it off to her sister. Yan Ruotong glanced at her with a smile, her hands moving non stop, but she was not forgiving in her words: “Why does a boy wear such fancy clothes? Xiaorui is going to be a general in the future, so he needs to be calm and steady.” “Tsk, who says girls can’t be generals?” Yan Ruoxi muttered unconvinced. Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Wang, who were standing by, listened to the sisters’ bickering with gentle smiles on their faces. They worked just as quickly, and as they watched their own children chasing and playing not far away, their eyes were filled with unwavering satisfaction and happiness. Liu Ruyan walked to Lin Xiao gracefully, carrying a plate of sliced chilled fruits and vegetables. She picked up a piece of crystal watermelon with a silver stick and carefully brought it to Lin Xiao’s mouth. Lin Xiao opened his mouth, feeling the cool sweetness, and hummed comfortably. Behind him, Tuya was quietly massaging his shoulders. Her technique was skillful, her strength just right, and her eyes were filled with gentleness and obedience like water. Lin Xiao closed his eyes and enjoyed it all. In this peace and warmth, an official from the Government Affairs Office hurriedly walked through the Moon Gate and came quickly. His face was filled with an expression of uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement, so much so that he ran so fast that he almost tripped over a stone. The girls stopped talking and laughing, and looked at the newcomer curiously. The official steadied himself and quickly walked up to Lin Xiao, bowing. His voice trembled slightly with excitement. “Your Majesty! An expedited report from the Government Affairs Office… the Ministry of Finance and Taxation!” Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, sat up straight in the rocking chair, and reached out to take the report that still had the official’s temperature on it. He raised his eyebrows and opened it casually. On the paper, lines of clear numbers and words come into view. At first, his expression was calm, but when he saw the numbers summarized in the last column, even though he was used to many ups and downs, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise. The report clearly states: Since the promulgation and implementation of the “Law on the Promotion of Ocean Trade”, in just three months, the total amount of customs taxes paid by the kingdom’s coastal ports has equaled the kingdom’s agricultural tax revenue for half a year last year! And this is just the profit brought back by the first batch of merchant ships going out to sea. The official holding the report looked at Lin Xiao excitedly, waiting for the king’s praise and next instructions. He watched with his own eyes as the silver from the national treasury poured in like a tide. The shock was so great that he still feels like he is dreaming. Lin Xiao closed the report and handed it to the curious Liu Ruyan beside him. He spoke lightly. His voice was not loud, but it revealed an unquestionable majesty. “Pass on my order. This law will continue to be implemented. Increase support and allow more ships to go out to sea.” “Yes! Your Majesty!” The official responded heavily, as if he had used up all his strength, then bowed and took his leave with a flushed face, his steps so light that they almost floated. Liu Ruyan and the other girls who came over to read the report couldn’t help but cover their mouths with their hands after seeing the numbers clearly, their beautiful eyes filled with shock and admiration. Although they are not sensitive to numbers, they know what half a year’s agricultural tax means. And this man, with just one order, created such terrifying wealth for the kingdom out of thin air within three months. Lin Xiao lay back in the rocking chair, resting his head on his arms, looking at the blue sky. The rewards of conquering the sea came faster and more intensely than he had expected. This is just the beginning. Port county town, dock. The docks today are more crowded than ever before. Thousands of people spontaneously flocked to the dock, blocking the way out, craning their necks and looking desperately towards the end of the sea and sky. The soldiers who were maintaining order had to hold hands and form human walls to barely leave a passage. “Here it comes! Here it comes! I see the mast!” In the crowd, a sharp eyed boy rode on his father’s neck and shouted excitedly. Everyone’s eyes were suddenly drawn to the sea. I saw a three masted ship, completely different from the Zhenbei Navy model, breaking through the waves and slowly approaching. Its hull has smooth lines and is shiny black. A faint white smoke is coming out of the towering chimney, which is obviously powered by a combination of steam and sails. The most eye catching thing is a large flag hanging high on the ship, on which are embroidered three large characters in a flamboyant style Qian’s Trading Company. “My God, this is a ship full of money!” “He’s really back! When he left three months ago, I said he was crazy, but I didn’t expect…” “Look at that boat! It’s much bigger and more impressive than when he left!” Everyone knew Qian Mancang. Three years ago, he was a ragged, hungry fisherman on the dock, his family crammed into a leaky shack. But since the king promulgated the “Law to Promote Ocean Trade”, this daring poor fisherman was the first to respond. He sold all his belongings and borrowed a large sum of money from the Kingdom Bank to build a boat and set sail. Chapter 462: Sailing Frenzy Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the huge merchant ship docked steadily. The gangway was lowered and a figure appeared at the bow. The man was about forty years old, wearing a precious Shu brocade robe, a jade belt as wide as a finger around his waist, and a gem ring the size of a pigeon egg on his finger. His face was rosy and shiny. He walked down the gangway with his bulging belly and high spirits, followed by a team of strong sailors of different skin colors. “It’s Qian Mancang! It’s really him!” “Is this… is this still the poor Qian Lao Si? He’s like a completely different person!” “Look at his clothes and belt. My goodness, they’re probably better dressed than the county magistrate’s!” At the dock, everyone who had seen Qian Mancang’s eyes almost popped out of their heads. They could hardly believe their eyes. The wealthy man before them and the skinny fisherman in their memory did not resemble each other at all. Envy, jealousy, shock…all kinds of emotions fermented among the crowd. Qian Mancang’s wife and several children had been waiting at the dock for a long time. When they saw his appearance, they were so excited that they cried and laughed. “Boss!” “father!” Qian Mancang laughed heartily, hugged his wife, gave her a kiss on the face, then touched the children’s heads one by one and waved his hand heroically. “Stop crying! We’ll have plenty of good days ahead of us! Come on, unload the cargo!” At his command, the team of elite sailors behind him sprang into action. Working in pairs, they carried enormous, incredibly heavy wooden boxes, placing them on the dock with a thump, thump, thump, thump. In just a few moments, more than a dozen large boxes were stacked into a small mountain on the dock. Everyone stretched their necks curiously, wanting to see what treasure was in the box. Qian Mancang seemed to enjoy the feeling of being the center of attention. He walked to the front box and opened the lid himself . Wow—— The dazzling white light instantly stung everyone’s eyes. Inside the huge box, neatly stacked, were all shiny silver ingots! In the sunlight, they were so dazzling that it made one dizzy. There was a sound of gasps from the crowd. Before they could recover from their shock, Qian Mancang opened several boxes next to him. A rich and exotic aroma hit me in the face. It was a spice I had never smelled before, and just smelling it made me feel refreshed. Other boxes were filled with fist sized, colorful gems, as well as some gorgeous fabrics embroidered with strange patterns. The entire dock was completely silent. Everyone was stunned by the naked wealth before them. They had never seen so much money and so many treasures in their lives! “Qian…Boss Qian…” A tax collector, accompanied by several assistants, finally squeezed through the crowd. He looked at the mountain of treasure and swallowed hard, his voice a little dry. “According to the Kingdom’s tax laws, your shipment is subject to a 30% tariff.” Thirty percent! The crowd was in an uproar again. How much money was this? Everyone felt that Qian Mancang must be heartbroken. Unexpectedly, Qian Mancang didn’t even blink. Instead, he laughed and said, “As it should be! As it should be! The king has given us the opportunity to make a fortune. Paying taxes to the kingdom is only natural! Come, count the taxes for this lord!” Immediately, a sailor brought over a smaller box and opened it, which was also full of silver. The tax officer checked the amount on the spot and quickly issued a tax invoice for an amount so huge that it would make an ordinary person faint. Qian Mancang didn’t even look at it and casually put it in his pocket. That generosity and that attitude of treating money as dirt once again ignited the entire audience. “Oh my god! So much tax, and I just paid it!” “It seems that this little money is nothing to him!” “Going overseas…it turns out that going overseas is so profitable!” Countless people’s eyes turned red in an instant. That night, Qian Mancang booked the largest “Yue Lai Restaurant” in Gangkou County. He was surrounded like a hero by a group of merchants and neighbors who had rushed to the scene after hearing the news. He sat in the main seat, drinking heartily and recounting his experiences at sea in vivid detail. “…You haven’t seen it. There really is an island on the other side of the ocean. The sand on the island is made of gold. Just a handful of it would blind you!” “There’s also a giant, colorful bird that’s taller than a human. If you say ‘Long live the king,’ to it, it’ll shout ‘Long live the king,’ too! It’s so impressive!” “I also saw a tribe whose people had skin as black as charcoal. They didn’t wear clothes, but painted on their bodies. When they saw our iron pots, they treated them like treasures and offered us a large nugget of gold in exchange!” Qian Mancang was talking excitedly and gesticulating. Everyone in the restaurant listened with rapt attention, as if they were actually there. Their breathing grew heavier, and in their eyes, flames of ambition and desire ignited. An island covered in gold! A strange bird that can talk! Natives who trade gold for iron pots! These stories, which seem like fairy tales, are presented before our eyes by a real life example of a poor fisherman who became a wealthy man, and they have unparalleled impact and temptation. That night, countless people in the entire port county city could not sleep. The next day, this frenzy ignited by legends of wealth and adventure swept across the entire kingdom at the fastest speed through the expedited edition of the Zhenbei Daily. An unprecedented sailing craze that swept across the entire nation was completely ignited. Countless people sold their property and flocked to the shipyard to order ships; countless young people bid farewell to their families and flocked to the docks, wanting to become a glorious sailor. Everyone understood that a brand new era that could allow people to rise to great heights overnight had arrived under the guidance of their king. At the most prosperous intersection in the county town, a magnificent three story building rose from the ground. The glazed tiles sparkled in the sun. A huge golden nanmu plaque hung at the door, with four large characters written in a flamboyant style Zhenbei Department Store. Wang Tiezhu stood at the door, his neck tilted back, his mouth half open, and he didn’t close it for a long time. He pulled the sleeve of his son Wang Gousheng beside him, then looked at his grandson Huzi who was being held by Wang Gousheng, and felt his calves a little weak. “Gousheng… this… is this building used to sell things?” He had lived for more than sixty years and had never seen such a grand shop, even more luxurious than the former county magistrate’s office. “Dad, look at that sign, ‘Department Store,’ which means they sell everything.” Wang Gousheng was also shocked, but he was young after all and had seen the world on construction sites. He forced himself to remain calm and said, “Let’s go, it’s owned by Mr. Wang. Let’s go in and take a look. There’s no entrance fee.” Wang Tiezhu was pulled by his son and grandson on both sides, and they almost stepped over the high threshold hand in hand. Chapter 463 Department Store Buzz—— A heat wave mixed with various strange aromas and noisy voices hit me in the face. Wang Tiezhu was completely dumbfounded. The spacious and bright lobby was crowded with people. The neat rows of wooden shelves were filled with a wide variety of goods, each of which dazzled him. The colorful feather pendants are said to have been shipped from an island thousands of miles away; There were also some ironware that he couldn’t even name, with strange shapes, but he was surrounded by a group of well dressed businessmen who were marveling at them. “Grandpa, Grandpa, look!” The grandson Huzi broke free from Wang Gousheng’s hand and rushed to a counter like a small cannonball, pointing at a row of crystal clear glass bottles. Wang Tiezhu and Wang Gousheng hurriedly followed. He saw small glass bottles filled with powders and granules of various colors, with notes taped to the bottles, saying things like “pepper,” “cinnamon,” “cloves,” and other names he had never heard of. A waiter in a clean uniform was smiling as he introduced something to a wealthy man: “…Smell this! We brought it back from the Spice Islands in the far south. Sprinkle a little on the meat when you stir fry it. The aroma, wow, it’s so fragrant it can waft halfway down the street!” The gentleman picked up a small bottle of pepper, glanced at the price tag on the bottom, and then waved his hand proudly: “Give me ten bottles of each of these!” Wang Tiezhu, with his sharp eyes, also saw the price and gasped. Just a pinch of powder, and he was selling it for one tael of silver! But the people around seemed to be accustomed to the price, and there was an endless stream of people rushing to buy. Wang Tiezhu looked at everything in front of him, at the customers who were dressed neatly and had confident smiles on their faces, and then thought about his previous life, when he had to eat coarse food and was poorly clothed. It felt like a lifetime ago. “Gousheng, these days… why do they feel like a dream?” He muttered to himself, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Wang Gousheng didn’t answer, but silently clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming. He knew this wasn’t a dream. At this moment, grandson Hu Zi once again shouted excitedly. “Dad! Grandpa! Come and look at the map!” The two looked in the direction Hu Zi pointed and saw a huge colorful poster hanging on the wall in the center of the hall. On the poster was a world map they had never seen before. The Zhenbei Kingdom was painted in a striking red and occupied a large area of the Eastern Continent. Beyond the red border is the boundless blue ocean, dotted with countless strange shaped lands and islands, marked with unfamiliar names such as “Golden Continent”, “Spice Islands”, and “New World”. Hu Zi’s face flushed crimson. He pointed at the azure blue and shouted excitedly, “The teacher at the academy said it! Our king wants ships flying the Zhenbei flag to sail to every corner of this map! When I grow up, I want to be a sailor too! I want to go to Golden Island and dig for gold!” The child’s innocent words caused a burst of good natured laughter from the people around him. Wang Tiezhu was shocked when he heard his grandson’s words. Instead of objecting, he stretched out his calloused hands, patted his grandson’s shoulders heavily, straightened his back, and his face was filled with unprecedented pride. “Good! Well said!” “As expected of my grandson, Wang Tiezhu! Ambitious!” “Go! Go when you grow up! Expand the territory for the king and earn a title for our royal family!” In the palace, after finishing the last memorial, Lin Xiao leaned back in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. The financial and taxation report that Li Dequan had just submitted was still on the desk. The shocking figures on it made even he feel a surge of emotion. “Your Majesty, since the implementation of the ‘Law to Promote Ocean Trade’, in just one quarter, the total customs revenue collected by the coastal counties has already exceeded the total agricultural tax revenue collected by the entire country last year. This does not even include the profits from the local merchant houses’ independent overseas trade. The national treasury is now more full than ever before!” When Li Dequan was reporting, his beard was shaking with excitement. Lin Xiao picked up the report, his fingertips gently sliding over the numbers on it with the ink still wet, and a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth. Steel, railways, and navigation… With these three axes, the entire kingdom has become powerful enough to shake the world. He put down the report, stood up, and suddenly an idea came to his mind. “Someone come.” A guard immediately pushed the door open and walked in. “Go and invite Madam Liu, Madam Tuya, and General Agula over, and tell them I’m taking them out for a walk.” “yes!” At the side door of the palace, three beautiful figures were already waiting there. Liu Ruyan was still wearing a simple long dress, with a gentle temperament and the tenderness of a married woman between her eyebrows. The look she gave Lin Xiao was full of unbreakable tenderness. Tuya, dressed in the finery of a prairie noblewoman, her voluptuous figure radiating a mature charm, stood obediently to the side, her eyes filled with obedience and dependence. The most eye catching one is Agula. The grassland war has long since subsided, and this grassland princess who once had a fiery temper has now become a powerful general in charge of the grassland cavalry of Zhenbei Kingdom. She was not wearing a skirt, but a neat black tight riding suit, which perfectly outlined her explosive and agile figure. She looked heroic, but lacked some of her former rebelliousness. Seeing Lin Xiao approaching, she subconsciously straightened her body and looked up. In those bright eyes, there was a bottomless awe and a hint of attachment. Lin Xiao walked up to her and looked her over with a smile: “Just came back from the military camp?” Agula’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he lowered his head respectfully: “Yes. I just finished training the new recruits.” “Thank you for your hard work,” Lin Xiao naturally took her hand and then took her arm around Liu Ruyan’s waist. “Let’s go. Today we won’t talk about military affairs. Let’s take you to see the real world.” The four of them changed into casual clothes and walked into the bustling streets of the county town like ordinary wealthy people. As soon as you step onto the main street, you are hit by a wave of hustle and bustle. The street was wide and smooth, with shops lining both sides and a constant flow of people. What surprised them most was the people on the street. In addition to the locals wearing the costumes of the Zhenbei Kingdom, there are also a large number of Western merchants with blond hair, blue eyes, high noses and deep eyes, as well as South China Sea islanders with dark skin and wearing short coats. They spoke in all kinds of strange accents, gestured with each other, and bargained with local vendors, making the scene very lively. “Come and see! Tobacco freshly shipped from Golden Continent! Take a puff and you’ll feel like a living god!” “Fine Persian carpets! Don’t miss it if you pass by!” Agula looked curiously at the exotic spices on a Western merchant’s stall, his eyes full of surprise. On the grassland, such a thing is enough to exchange for hundreds of cattle and sheep. But here, it is placed casually on the street like an ordinary commodity. Chapter 464 The King’s Woman Liu Ruyan was attracted by a strange fruity fragrance. She saw a South China Sea islander cutting open a huge fruit covered with thorns. The rich and overbearing aroma made her frown slightly, but she was also a little curious. Lin Xiao smiled and took out a few silver coins from his pocket, bought a small piece and handed it to her: “Try it, this is called durian, it smells bad but tastes delicious.” Liu Ruyan took a small bite doubtfully, and her eyes lit up instantly. The dense and sweet taste made her unable to resist taking another bite. The group walked and stopped, passing through the noisy market. Suddenly, the front opened up and a sea breeze with a salty and humid smell blew. The magnificent port appeared before our eyes. Even though Agula and Liu Ruyan claimed to be accustomed to big scenes, they were completely shocked by the scene before them. On the endless sea, masts resembled a forest, sails were like clouds, and hundreds of ships of all sizes were entering and leaving the harbor in an orderly manner. There are small and nimble fishing boats, three masted merchant ships flying flags of various colors, and several steam freighters with black hulls and billowing black smoke coming out of their chimneys, like steel behemoths, anchored at the deepest dock. The newly built steam crane stretched out its long steel arm, and with the hissing sound of steam and the creaking sound of gears turning, it easily lifted a huge cargo box weighing thousands of pounds from a cargo ship, then turned smoothly and placed it accurately on the carriage on the shore. The whole process only takes a moment. In the past, it would take hundreds of laborers half a day to complete such a task. Tuya turned her head and looked at the man beside her who created all this, her eyes full of tenderness. “Let’s go to a more fun place.” Lin Xiao looked at the shocked expressions on the three women’s faces, smiled slightly, and led them across the port square to a magnificent five story building. On the lintel of the building hangs a huge golden nanmu plaque with three large characters written in a flamboyant style Department Store. As soon as I stepped in, a hot wave mixed with various strange aromas and noisy voices hit me. Agula was completely dumbfounded. She felt like she had entered a legendary treasure house of the gods. The spacious and bright lobby was crowded with people. Rows of wooden shelves made of fine materials were filled with a wide variety of goods, each of which dazzled her. Here there are blue gems purer than the sky, red agates hotter than flames, neatly stacked silk cloths emitting a soft luster, and some exquisite ironwares that she can’t even name. They have strange shapes, but are surrounded by a group of well dressed businessmen who are amazed. Tuya was also dazzled by what she saw. She had seen countless rare treasures in the grassland royal court, but compared with the things here, those things were just like local products from a country market. The goods here are not only of various types, but also in huge quantities, as if they will never be sold out. “Sir, here… can everything here be bought?” Agula couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, his tone full of disbelief. In her opinion, each of these treasures should be locked in the deepest part of the Chanyu’s treasury. “Of course,” Lin Xiao said with a smile, “As long as you have money, you can take away anything here that you like.” As he spoke, he led the three women to the jewelry area on the second floor. The counter here is made of huge crystal clear glass, and the jewelry displayed inside sparkles under the light, making it difficult to open your eyes. Agula’s eyes were subconsciously attracted by a necklace. It was a necklace made of black pearls from the South China Sea. Each pearl was round and full, and almost exactly the same size. Under the light, it exuded a deep and mysterious luster, as if it contained the profound night sky. Lin Xiao followed her gaze, smiled, and said to the steward who had been waiting beside him, “Bring out that string.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” the steward responded respectfully, carefully opened the counter, and took out the necklace with his white gloved hands. Lin Xiao took the necklace and walked in front of Agula. Agula’s heart skipped a beat and he subconsciously took a step back, his cheeks feeling a little hot. “Don’t move.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it carried an irresistible tenderness. He walked around behind Agula and put the necklace on her with his own hands. The cold pearls touched the warm skin, causing Agula’s body to tremble slightly. She subconsciously lowered her head and looked at the string of glittering pearls on her chest, her heart in turmoil. She had been a soldier for half her life, and her hands were stained with more blood than she had drunk mare’s milk tea. She never thought that one day she would wear such exquisite and precious ornaments. The man who put the necklace on her finger was the one who had once destroyed all her pride but now held her in his hands. Lin Xiao turned around again and picked out a golden hairpin decorated with rubies for Tuya, which made her already plump and luxurious temperament even more charming. The bracelets chosen for Liu Ruyan were a pair of warm white jade bracelets, which complemented her gentle and elegant temperament. The customers around had already recognized Lin Xiao’s identity. They stepped aside, bowed, and looked at the three women with eyes full of undisguised envy. “Oh my god, that’s the king! The king is so kind to his ladies!” “I asked about that black pearl necklace last time, and the price was three thousand silver dollars! The king gave it away without blinking an eye!” In the crowd, several blond haired, blue eyed merchants from the Western Regions were also whispering, their expressions filled with shock. “My God, this King of Zhenbei is so rich that he can rival an entire nation! In our country, only the king can own such treasures, but he gives them away to his woman as casually as if they were vegetables!” “It’s more than just wealth,” another businessman lowered his voice, awe in his eyes. “Did you see the looks in the people’s eyes? They were filled with genuine admiration and love. This country is even more terrifying than we imagined.” Listening to the discussions around them, Liu Ruyan and Tuya both had happy smiles on their faces. Agula lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously stroking the pearls on her chest. Her heart was beating fast, and an unprecedented strange feeling, like a vine, quietly wrapped around her heart. Night, the royal bedroom. The luxurious bathtub was filled with hot steam. Lin Xiao leaned against the edge of the pool, enjoying Tuya’s gentle massage. Liu Ruyan sat beside him, peeled a crystal grape and put it to his mouth. The door of the bedroom was gently pushed open, and Agula walked in after taking a bath. She changed into a silk nightgown that Tuya had chosen for her. The soft silk fit her slender figure, outlining her breathtaking curves. The grassland flowers that are usually heroic and majestic are now less sharp and more shy, which is heart warming. Chapter 465 Rubber Agula walked to the edge of the pool, looked at the beautiful scene in front of him, his cheeks flushed, and he was a little at a loss. “Come here.” Lin Xiao waved to her. Agula bit his lip and knelt down obediently. She imitated Tuya, stretched out her hands, and awkwardly massaged Lin Xiao’s legs. The force was sometimes light and sometimes heavy, obviously it was the first time he did this. She lowered her head and didn’t dare to look into Lin Xiao’s eyes. Lin Xiao grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. Agula screamed, and the warm pool water instantly enveloped her. Her silk nightgown was soaked and stuck tightly to her body, making her figure even more hot. “You’re still so dishonest.” Lin Xiao watched her transform from an unruly grassland horse into the docile yet shy person she is now, and the satisfaction in his heart almost overflowed. Agula struggled in his arms, but was held even tighter. She simply gave up, buried her face in Lin Xiao’s chest, and said in a muffled voice: “I…I don’t know how to serve others.” Seeing this, Liu Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled, then walked forward with Tuya and sandwiched Agula in the middle. “Don’t be afraid, sister. You’ll learn it if you study more.” “Yes, the king likes it the most…” When Agula woke up the next day, he felt sore all over, but also had an unprecedented sense of peace. Looking at the man sleeping beside her, her heart, which had been tempered as hard as iron on the grassland, completely melted into a pool of spring water. [System prompt: Liu Ruyan’s favorability: 69+5, current favorability: 74] [System prompt: Tuya’s favorability: 31+5, current favorability: 36] [System prompt: Agula’s favorability: 40+10, current favorability: 50] A series of prompt sounds rang out in Lin Xiao’s mind. He opened his eyes and a satisfied smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. On the system interface, the familiar, golden lottery wheel slowly lit up again. It’s time to draw again. Lin Xiao muttered to himself, “Lottery.” The roulette wheel spun rapidly, emitting a bright golden light, and finally came to a slow stop. A flash of light passed by, and a thick and ancient book, as if made of tree bark, slowly emerged. The large words on the cover were extremely clear: “A Complete Guide to Natural Rubber Planting and Vulcanization Processing Technology.” The next moment, a massive torrent of knowledge poured into Lin Xiao’s mind like a river bursting its dam. From how to choose the most suitable hot and humid environment to how to cultivate the best quality rubber seedlings; From the precise angle of the knife blade when tapping rubber, to every detail of collecting the milky sap; Then, in the vulcanization reaction, how does sulfur and heat weave scattered molecular chains into a tough and elastic network? Finally, there are detailed process drawings of tires, hoses, waterproof raincoats, insulating tapes… countless creations. Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if every pore in his body had opened up. A more sophisticated, more comfortable and more powerful industrial empire has already taken shape in his mind. He seemed to see his own trains and carriages all equipped with black rubber tires, running on roads paved with steel and concrete, without any annoying bumps; He saw the Kingdom’s soldiers, wearing waterproof rubber boots and raincoats in the pouring rain, still staying dry and fighting; He saw the joints of countless machines, which were equipped with elastic sealing gaskets to ensure power transmission without loss. He saw that the wires in the hands of the miners had a completely safe insulation layer, and the children had a springy toy ball in their hands… This thing may seem inconspicuous, but it is the indispensable “joint” and “ligament” in the industrial age! Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, his eyes sparkling with brilliance, and the smile on his lips could no longer be suppressed. Another magical skill that can change the world is obtained. The next morning, a refreshed Lin Xiao had breakfast and immediately issued an order: “Call Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin to the study to discuss matters.” Not long after the order was issued, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace. Zhang Fuan almost ran all the way here. His honest face was flushed, there was even steam coming out of his forehead, and his eyes were full of fanatical anticipation. He didn’t even have time to straighten his official hat, which had tilted sideways. He bowed and saluted as soon as he entered the room, saying in a loud voice: “Your Majesty! You are looking for me!” Lu Jin, who was following behind him, was much more refined. Although he was also in a hurry, his posture still maintained the rigor of a scholar. But his slightly trembling hands and eyes that tried hard to suppress excitement still revealed his inner unrest. Every time the king summoned people from the Ministry of Works and the Academy of Gewu, it meant that a shocking divine object was about to appear in the world. This has become an unspoken secret among the top leaders of the entire Zhenbei Kingdom. “Come in.” Lin Xiao put down the teacup in his hand and pointed to the center of the study with a smile. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin looked in the direction of his finger and were both stunned. There were no drawings filled with complicated lines as imagined, nor were there delicate models gleaming with metallic luster. On the large mahogany table in the middle of the study, there was only a large white porcelain basin half a person’s height. The basin was half filled with a sticky milky white liquid that emitted an indescribable, pungent smell. “…” Zhang Fuan blinked, confused. The two of them walked around the pottery basin twice, looking at each other with question marks on their faces. What is this? Is it spoiled milk? Or some kind of rice milk I’ve never seen before? The king called us here just to see this strange thing? Lu Jin was more like a scholar. He did not touch the liquid, but moved closer to carefully observe the texture of the white liquid, and tilted his nose slightly to distinguish the smell. “Your Majesty,” he pondered for a moment, then bowed, “Judging from its shape, this substance resembles some kind of resin, but its scent is completely different from rosin, tung oil, and the like, and its texture is also much more viscous. I am a dull student, and I wonder what wonderful uses this substance has.” Zhang Fuan nodded repeatedly and looked at Lin Xiao with curiosity. “Yes, Your Majesty, what can this white thing be used for? It’s so sticky, can it be used as glue to stick things together?” Looking at the two of them, one thinking hard and the other scratching his head, Lin Xiao’s smile became even more pronounced. He didn’t answer directly, but said slowly, “This stuff is the sap I ordered people to collect from a strange tree in the far south. It really is like glue now, and it’s not even as good as the fish glue we usually use.” He paused, his eyes swept over the two confused faces, then changed the subject, with a hint of mysterious smile in his voice. “But with a little manipulation, it can become one of the most amazing things in the world. It can stop a car from bouncing, stop a pipe from leaking, and even make a ball bounce higher than a person.” Chapter 466 Elasticity After the words were spoken, silence fell in the study. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin stared at each other with their eyes wide open. The expressions on their faces changed from initial confusion to dullness, and finally to deep shock and disbelief. Lin Xiao found the two’s bewildered expressions somewhat amusing, and without further ado, he simply said, “Today I’m going to teach you a new word: ‘elasticity’.” As he spoke, he took out a small piece of processed, yellowish brown rubber from his pocket and threw it casually. The rubber block fell to the ground and bounced up with a “pop”, reaching half a foot high. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin’s eyes almost popped out. Lin Xiao picked up the rubber block and pulled it hard with both hands. The rubber block was stretched several times, but as soon as he let go, it shrank back to its original shape in an instant. “This…what a magical thing!” Zhang Fuan cried out, looking at the piece of rubber as if he saw a ghost. Lu Jin was also shocked, and his eyes instantly burst into a passion for knowledge. Lin Xiao walked to a blackboard that had been prepared long ago, picked up the chalk, and while drawing some strange chain like symbols that they could not understand at all, he explained in the simplest language. “Everything beneath our feet is made up of countless tiny particles, invisible to the naked eye, called molecules. The molecules in this basin of liquid are like a tangled coil of twine. What we need to do next is to use sulfur and heat to weave these twine into a huge and strong net.” “When this web is pulled, it stretches, but the forces between the molecules pull it back to its original shape. That’s called elasticity.” Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin were completely confused. They knew every word about molecules and hemp ropes, but when they were put together, it sounded like a heavenly book. But this does not prevent them from understanding the greatness of this matter. They looked at Lin Xiao’s confident and determined expression, as if he was in control of the underlying mysteries of the world, and the shock in their hearts was beyond words. The initial confusion has long since turned into unparalleled fanaticism. The king once again described a future that they could not understand but was destined to be great! Lin Xiao put down the chalk, turned around, looked at the two people’s fanatical eyes, and nodded with satisfaction. He gave the order. “Order the Intelligence Department to immediately identify one million acres of the most suitable land in the kingdom’s southernmost counties, those with the hottest and most humid climates, to establish the kingdom’s first ‘rubber plantation’ and plant oak trees on a large scale!” “Zhang Fuan!” “I’m here!” Zhang Fuan straightened his back suddenly, his whole body trembling with excitement. “I order you to immediately gather the best craftsmen and build a ‘vulcanization laboratory.’ Prepare to conduct experiments and turn this basin of liquid into the next miracle of our kingdom!” A few days later, in the kingdom’s first “vulcanization laboratory”. The security here is very tight, with a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. The atmosphere is tense and solemn. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin, with a group of top craftsmen, were now like a group of devout believers, surrounding a half human high, bizarrely shaped steel can. According to the recipe written by Lin Xiao himself, they carefully poured the milky white sap and several mysterious materials such as finely ground sulfur into a large basin and stirred them repeatedly. That action was even more cautious and meticulous than when he made medicine for his own mother. The mixed viscous substance is put into a mold and then carefully placed into the special sealed heating tank. “Close the valve!” With Zhang Fuan’s order, the heavy iron cover was screwed tight and the tank was completely sealed. “Make a fire!” The fire started and the heat began to flow. Everyone in the laboratory held their breath, and dozens of pairs of eyes stared at the two instruments on the tank that had never been seen before a pressure gauge and a thermometer. The pointer moved slowly, and every beat touched everyone’s heart. Time passed minute by minute, and the laboratory was eerily quiet, with only the crackling of the burning fire and the heavy breathing of everyone. “One hour is up!” The voice of the craftsman in charge of timing was trembling. “Shut down! Lower the pressure!” Steam hissed out and everyone took a few steps back nervously. When the pressure gauge returned to zero, Zhang Fuan personally stepped forward and used all his strength to open the hot valve. An extremely pungent smell of burning mixed with the stench of sulfur suddenly rushed out of the jar, choking everyone and making them cough. Zhang Fuan didn’t care about these things and took out the mold with pliers with great anticipation. However, when he saw what was in the mold, the excitement on his face froze instantly. It was a black, hard object with many cracks on its surface, and looked like a piece of overburned coke. “this……” Zhang Fuan didn’t give up. He picked up the black lump, weighed it in his palm, and then knocked it to the ground. “Snap!” The black lump shattered into several pieces. There was deathly silence in the laboratory. Everyone’s face was filled with disappointment. The hope that I had just been full of was instantly dashed like a basin of cold water. “Failed…” Zhang Fuan muttered to himself, his honest face drooped, like a defeated rooster, full of frustration. He couldn’t understand how the thing the king talked about so miraculously could be turned into such a useless thing by him. Just when everyone was feeling dejected, a leisurely voice sounded. “Who said it failed?” Lin Xiao had stood behind them without them knowing, with a faint smile on his face. “Your Majesty!” Everyone saluted hurriedly. Lin Xiao waved his hand, picked up a piece of debris and looked at it, and said casually: “It was my first time making it, and I didn’t control the heat well. The temperature was just a little high.” He walked over to the jar, looked at the thermometer’s record, then picked up the chalk, crossed out the previous number on the small blackboard next to it, and wrote a new temperature. “Lower the temperature to this number and try again.” He looked so calm and composed, as if the failure was not a divine object concerning the future of the kingdom, but just a badly baked pancake. Zhang Fuan and the craftsmen looked at Lin Xiao’s determined expression, and the frustration in their hearts was instantly swept away, replaced by even stronger confidence. Yes! If the king says it’s okay, then it must be okay! Everyone gathered their spirits, cleaned up the slag quickly, and started working again. This time, everyone was more careful, staring at the thermometer and controlling the heat precisely. Another hour passed. When the heating tank was opened again, a completely different smell wafted out, slightly pungent but not burnt. Zhang Fuan stretched his neck nervously, his heart in his throat. When the black block of rubber was taken out of the mold, everyone was stunned. It is black all over, with a smooth surface and exudes a peculiar luster. Lin Xiao walked forward and took the rubber block from Zhang Fuan. Without any hesitation, he squeezed the rubber block hard in front of everyone. The rubber block deformed instantly, but the moment he let go of his hand, it suddenly returned to its original shape, as if nothing had happened. Then, Lin Xiao threw the rubber block to the ground. “Bang!” The black rubber block bounced high from the ground like a living thing, then fell down, bounced up again, and jumped several times in a row. Chapter 467 Bicycle You could hear a pin drop in the entire laboratory. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin, and all the craftsmen’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. They opened their mouths wide, staring blankly at the black rubber block on the ground that was still bouncing slightly, their minds blank. “God…divine object!” I don’t know who shouted first, but the whole laboratory was instantly ignited. “It bounced! It really bounced!” “Oh my God! What a treasure this is!” Zhang Fuan was the first to react. He rushed forward and held the piece of rubber in his hand as if it were a treasure, shaking with excitement. He first squeezed it hard to feel the strong rebound force, then he put it close to his nose and smelled it, and finally he couldn’t help but want to bite it with his teeth to try it out. Lu Jin also rushed forward, adjusted his glasses, and stroked the surface of the rubber block with trembling hands, muttering incoherently: “Elasticity… This is elasticity… The molecular network… So what the king said is true! It’s true!” The other craftsmen also went crazy. They gathered around, stretched out their fingers to poke it carefully, then retracted their hands as if they had been electrocuted, and then burst into even louder exclamations. The entire laboratory, from its dead silence just now, instantly turned into a sea of frenzy. They looked at the magical piece of rubber, then looked at the calm and composed Lin Xiao. In their eyes, there was nothing but fanaticism and utter admiration. Looking at this group of craftsmen who had fallen into madness, Lin Xiao’s smile became even more pronounced. This is exactly the effect he wants. He walked to the desk beside him, picked up a pen and paper, and started drawing quickly. Before long, a strange mechanical pattern consisting of two wheels, a frame and a chain, as well as a pattern of a ring shaped, hollow object, appeared on the paper. He blew the ink dry and threw the two drawings to Zhang Fuan, who was still holding the glue block and grinning. “Stop playing and look at this. Make this for me first.” Zhang Fuan quickly stuffed the precious rubber block into his arms, carefully took the drawing, and looked at it with Lu Jin. After just one look, they were confused again. The thing in the drawing has a simpler structure than a steam engine, but its shape is really weird. A triangular iron frame with a wheel at the front and back, and two pedal like things in the middle connected to an iron chain. “Your Majesty, what…what is this thing?” Zhang Fuan scratched his head, his face full of confusion. “It only has two wheels. If someone sits on it, won’t they fall flat on their face?” Lu Jin pointed to a ring shaped object on another drawing and asked, “Your Majesty, this thing is hollow. Could it be meant to be mounted on a wheel? Is it related to this ‘elasticity’?” “I call this thing a ‘bicycle.'” Lin Xiao pointed at the blueprint and said with a smile, “A person riding it and pedaling can travel 300 miles a day, faster than the best post horse.” “What?!” Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin exclaimed at the same time, their eyes widening. Traveling 300 miles a day? Faster than a post horse? Just relying on two human legs to push this iron lump? This…how is this possible! Lin Xiao pointed at the ring pattern again: “This is a tire, made of the rubber we just made, and it’s put on the wheel. Firstly, it can reduce bumps, and secondly, it can make it run faster and more stable.” He looked at the two people who were completely dumbfounded and patted Zhang Fuan on the shoulder. “Don’t be in a daze. I want to see the first bicycle within a month.” Zhang Fuan was slapped by Lin Xiao, and he shuddered all over and came to his senses in an instant. Although my mind was still a mess and I couldn’t understand how this thing could run faster than a horse, the king’s order was a divine oracle! He thrust out his chest, his face flushed crimson, and shouted, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty!” A month later. The huge open space outside the Wang family workshop was packed with people, three layers deep inside and three layers deep outside, making it impossible to get in or out. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the strange iron thing in the middle of the clearing. That was the kingdom’s first bicycle. The black iron frame gleamed in the sun, the two wheels were wrapped in thick black rubber tires, the chain and gear structure were sophisticated, and it looked exuding an indescribable peculiar beauty. The craftsmen stroked the cool steel body, their faces brimming with pride. Over the past month, under Zhang Fuan’s leadership, they had overcome countless challenges, pouring meticulous effort into every detail, from the precision of the bearings to the engagement of the chains. But no matter how proud they were, no one knew whether this thing could be ridden. “Is this the thing? Can it really run faster than a horse? Why don’t I believe it?” “Look at that cushion, it’s so high and narrow, doesn’t it feel uncomfortable when you sit on it?” “Don’t let anyone fall to their death!” The crowd was talking a lot, full of curiosity and suspicion. At this moment, a lean, dark skinned young man stepped out, slightly nervous, amidst the crowd’s attention. His name was Li Ergou, and he was the fastest postman at the County Post Office. He had incredible stamina and had been chosen today for the test drive. Lin Xiao walked up to him and briefly explained a few key points. Li Ergou took a deep breath and clumsily got on the bicycle under the gaze of everyone. He touched the ground with his left foot and just as he stepped on the pedal with his right foot, the car body shook violently. “Ouch!” Li Ergou screamed and panicked. The car tilted and he and the car fell to the ground with a bang, causing a burst of laughter from the crowd. Zhang Fuan felt heartbroken when he saw it, because that was the treasure he had made with his own hands. Li Ergou was not discouraged. He got up, brushed off the dirt on his butt, and stepped up again. This time, he had just pedaled half a circle when the front of the car swayed from side to side as if it was drunk, and with another “clang”, it fell upside down again. “Ha ha ha ha!” This time, the onlookers laughed even harder, and fell backwards. “No, no, this thing is just a useless lump of metal!” “You say you’re faster than a horse, but you’re lucky you can stand still!” Li Ergou’s face flushed the color of liver, a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety. He had fallen seven or eight times, his knees and elbows bruised and battered, and he was covered in dirt and a horrible mess. The bicycle in his hands was like a stubborn, disobedient donkey. Just when he was about to give up, Lin Xiao’s voice came. “Li Ergou, don’t look at your feet, look ahead! Straighten your back, be brave, and just push hard!” Hearing the king’s personal instructions, Li Ergou felt refreshed, as if he had been given a shot of adrenaline. He gritted his teeth and got on the car for the last time. This time, he kept Lin Xiao’s words in mind, stared at a big tree ten feet ahead, took a deep breath, and stepped on the pedal hard! The bike shook a bit, but it didn’t fall over! Li Ergou was delighted and kicked his feet desperately. The wheels started turning, faster and faster, and the car miraculously stabilized! A wonderful feeling came over him, as if there was wind under his feet. Li Ergou felt his body lighten and rushed forward at a rapid speed! “drive!” Not far away, a post carriage responsible for delivering urgent official documents was galloping with its whip whipped, its hooves flying, and stirring up dust along the way. But in the next second, a black shadow “whoosh” passed by the carriage and left it behind in the blink of an eye. The coachman was so frightened that his mouth opened into an “O” shape and he even forgot to swing the whip in his hand. Chapter 468: Divine Iron Horse All the laughter stopped abruptly. Every single one of the onlookers was petrified as if they had been cast under a spell. They opened their mouths and stared with their eyes wide open, staring blankly at the figure that was as fast as a flash of lightning, their minds blank. “I… am I not dazzled?” “Faster…faster than a horse…really faster than a horse!” In the open space, Li Ergou felt the wind whistling past his ears and watched the scenery rapidly receding on both sides. An unprecedented sense of pleasure surged through his body. His face flushed with excitement, and he couldn’t help but open his throat and let out a cheer that resounded through the sky! “Oooooohh … “Long live the king!” This cheer was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly detonating the entire square. “A miracle! This is another miracle bestowed by the king!” “Too fast! Faster than a horse!” “I want to buy one! I’ll sell everything I have to buy one!” The crowd was completely excited, and they excitedly gave this iron thing that could run on its own a resounding name the Divine Iron Horse! A few days later. On Zhuque Street, the most prosperous street in the county town, several luxurious carriages were bumping forward on the cobblestone road. The wheels collided with the cobblestones, making a loud “clattering” noise. “Boss Qian, I heard that you spent a lot of money to order a new car from Wang’s workshop?” A fat businessman shouted at a carriage next to him through the window. The owner of the carriage was Qian Mancang, who had made a fortune from overseas trade. Qian Mancang stroked his beard, his face full of pride: “Anything produced by the Wang family workshop must be a fine product.” Just as he finished speaking, a brand new four wheeled carriage slowly drove around the corner. The carriage was made entirely of high quality wood and was carved with exquisite patterns, but the most eye catching thing was its four wheels covered with thick black rubber. The carriage drove over the bumpy cobblestone road, but the expected “clattering” sound did not appear. Instead, there was an inaudible “buzzing” sound. The car body hardly shook, as stable as a small boat gliding on still water. The car curtain was lifted by a hand wearing a jeweled ring, revealing Qian Mancang’s rosy face. He was even leisurely holding a cup of steaming tea, and there was not even a ripple in the tea in the cup. The whole street seemed to be on mute. Those wealthy businessmen who were chatting during the bumpy ride were all dumbfounded. They looked at Qian Mancang’s unusually quiet and stable carriage, and then felt the sieve like carriage under their buttocks, and their eyes all turned red. How could this be a carriage? This is clearly a moving palace! That kind of silent elegance, that kind of ultimate comfort, instantly became an unattainable luxury, deeply hurting the hearts of every rich person. “Quick! Turn around! Go to the Wang family workshop!” “No matter how much it costs, I’m going to order a car like this!” All of a sudden, several luxurious carriages turned around on the street and rushed towards the Wang family workshop. Qinglin Army Camp. On the training ground, Sun Mingde was bare chested, wrestling in the mud with a group of soldiers, and was covered in mud. “General! Lord Zhang is here!” A personal guard ran over to report. Sun Mingde was stunned and quickly got up from the mud. He wiped his face roughly and saw Zhang Fuan walking towards him, surrounded by a group of craftsmen, carrying several large boxes. “Fu’an, what brings you here?” Sun Mingde asked in a muffled voice. Zhang Fuan smiled mysteriously and waved his hand, and several boxes were opened. In the box, on one side were neatly stacked black rubber soled military boots, and on the other side were neatly folded oilcloth raincoats. “This is…” Sun Mingde picked up a pair of military boots curiously. The boots are heavier than ordinary cloth shoes, but the thick black rubber soles, engraved with strange anti slip patterns, look extremely sturdy. “General Sun, these are the ‘God Speed Boots’ and ‘Water Repellent Clothes’ designed by the King himself.” Zhang Fuan’s face was filled with pride. “The King said that these things can increase our soldiers’ combat effectiveness several times in the rain and mud.” Sun Mingde’s eyes lit up. He knew very well that when fighting in the rainy season in the south, the soldiers’ biggest enemy was not the enemy, but the mud under their feet and the pervasive moisture. The soles of the feet are blistered and cold winds and chills enter the body, and non combat casualties are often higher than combat casualties. Without saying a word, he put on the new pair of military boots. The boots are just the right size. When I step on the ground, I can clearly feel the thickness and elasticity of the rubber sole. He walked to the largest mud puddle nearby and stepped into it in front of the astonished gazes of all the soldiers. “Puff!” The mud was up to his ankles. Under normal circumstances, after taking a step, the shoes would have been filled with cold, wet mud and water. But Sun Mingde stood in the mud, twisted his feet, and an expression of extreme shock appeared on his face. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of dampness or coldness; the thick rubber sole and waterproof upper of the boots perfectly kept the mud and water out. He took a few more steps. The patterns on the rubber sole provided extremely strong grip, making it as easy as walking on flat ground in the slippery mud . “Good! Good stuff!” Sun Mingde suddenly pulled his feet out of the mud, and his boots brought out a large amount of mud, but his feet were still dry. Trembling with excitement, he grabbed a raincoat, which was soft yet had a certain toughness. He threw it on and yelled to his guards, “Go, bring a bucket of water and pour it on my head!” The guards did not dare to delay and quickly brought a full bucket of water and poured it on Sun Mingde’s head. “Crash!” The cold well water slid down the raincoat, and not a drop could penetrate. Sun Mingde took off his raincoat and touched the clothes underneath, finding them dry and clean. “Ha ha ha ha!” Sun Mingde laughed loudly towards the sky, his laughter filled with incomparable ecstasy. He seemed to have seen his own army wearing speed boots and waterproof clothes, marching briskly in the pouring rain, while the enemy army was struggling in the mud, unable to move forward. How could these be boots or raincoats? These were clearly divine weapons that could determine the outcome of a war! For a time, rubber tires, bicycles, and waterproof products became the hottest words in the entire kingdom. The latest issue of Zhenbei Daily published a passionate report on the front page in large bright red letters. The title is only eight words, but it is enough to make everyone who sees it excited—— “Elastic divine object, galloping across the world!” The newspaper not only described in detail the miracle of the “divine iron horse” traveling 300 miles a day, but also included an illustration of Qian Mancang’s luxurious carriage that was as smooth as flying, and the heroic figure of General Sun Mingde personally testing waterproof military boots. As the news spread, the entire kingdom was once again plunged into a sea of carnival. Countless young people flocked to the post office and signed up to become postmen who could ride the “magic iron horse”. Countless merchants squeezed into the door of Wang’s workshop, waving silver bills, just to order a set of rubber tires. When the new recruits who were about to join the army heard that the army would be issued “magic boots” and “water proof clothes”, they all held their heads high and were filled with pride. Throughout the kingdom, from commoners to nobles, from merchants to soldiers, everyone was completely conquered by these divine objects that appeared one after another. They knew that the source of all this pointed to the god like man sitting in the palace. Their king, Lin Xiao. Chapter 469: Reoffending Jiaoshi County, Zhuque Street. Wang Tiezhu held his grandson Hu Zi’s hand and stood on the street, his mouth wide open for a long time. A clear bell sounded from far away, and several young men in green uniforms, riding two wheeled iron vehicles, passed by him like the wind. They carried canvas bags with the words “Zhenbei Post” printed on them and disappeared at the end of the street. “Grandpa, it’s the God Speed Iron Horse!” Hu Zi pointed at the receding figure and jumped up and down excitedly, “I want to ride it too! I want to ride it too!” Wang Tiezhu came back to his senses, touched his grandson’s head, his eyes full of emotion. “This world has really changed beyond recognition,” he muttered. “Back in the day, when I went to the county town, I had to leave before dawn and walk until dark. Now, I hear in the newspapers that riding on this iron horse only takes an hour.” He looked up in the direction of the palace, his eyes filled with awe and gratitude from the bottom of his heart. “Your Majesty, you are truly a living god.” Royal Palace, Council Hall. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan and other core members gathered together, everyone’s face was flushed and full of joy. “Your Majesty!” Song Qinghe was the first to step forward, the report in his hand weighing a thousand pounds. “Orders from the bicycle and tire factories are already booked until the beginning of next spring! The newly built bearing and steel mills are working day and night, but demand still outstrips supply. This month alone, the newly added ‘industrial and commercial taxes’ are almost catching up to the agricultural taxes collected for last year’s entire autumn harvest!” When this number came out, everyone in the room was shocked, and then they burst into uncontrollable excited discussions. Li Dequan stepped forward and spoke in a booming voice, “Your Majesty, several newly developed large rubber plantations in the south have already resettled over 50,000 newly arrived refugees. They now have work, food, and hope, and are deeply grateful to the kingdom. Public security is now better than ever, and the people’s hearts… their hearts are as stable as Mount Tai!” Finally, there was Zhang Fuan, his face filled with enthusiasm. He practically rushed out, clutching a greasy rubber gasket in his hand. “Your Majesty! It’s the sealing! The sealing of rubber!” He was so excited that he was almost incoherent. “We used rubber gaskets at the joints between the piston and the pipe of the steam engine, and the steam leakage rate was greatly reduced! Preliminary calculations show that the overall efficiency of the steam engine has increased by at least 20%! This means that our trains can run faster and the machines in the factory can be more powerful! This… this is a new round of industrial revolution!” With a loud “bang”, the entire conference hall was in an uproar. Twenty percent! For this already established industrial kingdom, this was a figure that was enough to drive everyone crazy. After all the ministers had finished their reports, they were so excited that they could hardly calm down. They looked at each other, straightened their clothes at the same time, stood up collectively again, and bowed deeply to Lin Xiao, who was sitting on the throne with an indifferent expression. This time, in addition to worship, their eyes were filled with a supreme enthusiasm to follow the gods and create a new era. In this warm atmosphere, a secret report from the Great Zhou was presented to Lin Xiao’s desk. Lin Xiao unfolded it casually. The secret report was sent back by spies in the capital, detailing the huge stir caused by the Zhenbei Kingdom’s caravan entering the Great Zhou territory. Those “iron horses that do not need to be pulled by horses” were running briskly on the official road, attracting passers by to tell each other, thinking that they were witchcraft. The “silent carriage” that wealthy businessmen like Qian Mancang rode in, rolling smoothly over the bumpy cobblestone road, made the powerful people of the Great Zhou sitting in the bumpy carriages stunned and their eyes red with jealousy. The second half of the secret report described the reaction of Emperor Li Yan of the Great Zhou Dynasty. After hearing about this, Li Yan was furious in the palace and smashed his most beloved set of huanghuali wood carving tools to pieces. He ordered the Ministry of Works to imitate it, but the craftsmen didn’t even understand how to keep a bicycle balanced, and the ones they made were crooked and impossible to ride. Li Yan was so angry that he beat the leading craftsmen to death on the spot, muttering repeatedly: “Monster… Lin Xiao, this thief, must be a demon incarnate…” After seeing the “silent carriage” passing by his mansion, Prime Minister Zhou Mubai locked himself in his study and sat there all night. When the court went to court the next day, all the civil and military officials were shocked to find that the old man who had worked hard for the Zhou Dynasty all his life had turned even whiter overnight. After reading the secret report, Lin Xiao’s face remained calm, as if he had just read a trivial matter. He casually threw aside the secret report that would shock the Great Zhou court. Great Zhou? It’s just a candle in the wind, nothing to worry about. The backyard of the palace is lush with vegetation. Lin Xiao lay leisurely in the rocking chair, enjoying the rare tranquility. On the lawn not far away, Agula, wearing a neat suit, was practicing shooting with a new type of automatic rifle. She stood tall and straight, her eyes focused, and every time she pulled the trigger, the flames from the muzzle accurately hit the bull’s eye in the distance. Lin Rui, Lin Xin and several other children were surrounding her. Every time the target was hit, they clapped their hands and cheered loudly, and their clear laughter could be heard from far away. On the other side, Tuya and Liu Ruyan were sitting at the stone table, cutting the fruits they had just taken out of the ice cellar into small pieces and placing them on an exquisite white porcelain plate, ready to serve to Lin Xiao. A warm and harmonious scene. At this moment, a palace guard rushed in with a panicked look and staggering steps. He knelt on one knee with a letter in his hands. “Your Majesty! Urgently, eight hundred miles across the East China Sea!” The seal of the letter was soaked with a large patch of dark red blood that had long since dried, which looked shocking. It is a letter asking for help from Qian Mancang Trading Company. Lin Xiao sat up straight, his originally comfortable expression instantly disappearing. He took the letter and tore open the seal. The letter was written in blood by Qian Mancang’s deputy, and the handwriting was sloppy and desperate. The letter described that their caravan was ambushed by the regular navy of the Japanese pirate country in the East China Sea on its way back. The other side was not ordinary pirates, but standard warships flying official flags, numbering dozens. The merchant ships of Zhenbei Kingdom were no match for the professional navy that had planned this battle in advance. The flagship “Mancang” was hit by several shells in the first round of bombardment and sank on the spot. Qian Mancang was seriously injured and was rescued by his confidants at the risk of their lives after falling into the water. Several merchant ships along with their full cargoes were captured by the enemy, hundreds of crew members were killed in the battle, and the losses were heavy and unprecedented. Lin Xiao read the letter silently and slowly crumpled the blood stained paper into a ball. The smile on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by a coldness that was enough to freeze the air. The entire backyard seemed to have fallen from midsummer to cold winter in an instant. The children’s laughter stopped. They keenly sensed the change in atmosphere and timidly hid behind Tuya. Liu Ruyan’s hand holding the fruit plate stopped in mid air, her face full of worry. “Your Majesty…” Agula also stopped training. She strode over, her beautiful eyes burning with fighting spirit. She didn’t ask anything, but just gripped the rifle tightly in her hand, looked at Lin Xiao, and waited for orders. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything, but slowly stood up and looked towards the blue sea in the east, his eyes deep and cold. If the tiger doesn’t show its power, do you really think I’m a sick cat? It seems that the beating last time was not painful enough. Chapter 470: Personal Expedition to the Japanese Pirate Country The news that Qian Mancang’s caravan was attacked, the flagship sank, and hundreds of crew members died in the East China Sea spread throughout the kingdom overnight like wings. This is not just a loss for a trading company, but a naked provocation to the entire kingdom. In the port county town, all shops closed spontaneously, and thousands of merchants, sailors, and dock workers gathered in front of the government hall. It was a sea of black, but completely silent. The same anger burned in their eyes. An old ship owner with gray hair, with trembling hands, presented a blood letter signed by hundreds of businessmen to the officials. “Your Majesty, please make the decision for us!” “Please, Your Majesty, show the might of our kingdom!” Someone in the crowd shouted first, and then a thunderous roar of petitions resounded through the sky and lasted for a long time. The public’s anger is boiling. Royal Palace, the highest military meeting room. The atmosphere is depressing. Sun Mingde, Wang Jian and other senior generals stood upright on both sides, with a murderous look on each of their faces. A huge sand table map was pushed to the center, with every inch of sea area and islands in the East China Sea accurately marked on it. Lin Xiao walked around the sand table without saying a word, and finally stopped on the east side. His finger crossed the vast East China Sea and landed heavily on the narrow island at the other end of the map. “The Japanese pirate nation.” He slowly uttered three words, his voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer hitting everyone’s heart. “Pass on my royal decree.” Lin Xiao raised his head and glanced at every general present, his eyes cold and sharp. “From this day forward, the kingdom enters a state of war. I will personally lead the army with lightning speed to completely eliminate the threat from the East China Sea and carve out new living space for the kingdom.” “To avenge the blood debt of our dead people.” As soon as the words fell, the air in the entire conference room seemed to be ignited. Sun Mingde took a step forward, his fists clenched, veins bulging, and his rugged face full of high fighting spirit. “I am willing to be the vanguard!” “I am willing to die for the king!” Wang Jian and all the other generals knelt on one knee at the same time. The clanging sound of armor colliding merged into a torrent of steel. “war!” “war!” “war!” The deafening roar almost blew off the roof of the palace. At the same time, in Kyoto, the Japanese pirate country across the East China Sea. Inside the palace, there were pleasant music, enchanting dancers, and a scene of singing and dancing. The emperor sat in the main seat, drinking happily with his daimyo. The corners of the hall were filled with silk, porcelain and various treasures seized from the merchant ships of Zhenbei Kingdom, which shone with an alluring luster under the candlelight. “Hahaha, everyone, please look!” A short and fat daimyo stood up unsteadily, holding an exquisite Zhenbei porcelain vase in his hand, his face full of contempt and arrogance. “The people of the Central Plains are nothing but a bunch of weaklings who can invent some strange and ingenious things! Their warships are tall and big, and look intimidating, but in the wind and waves of our East China Sea, they are nothing but sitting ducks!” Another general echoed, “Yamada kun is right! Our navy was well rested, and a single ambush inflicted heavy losses on them! That so called ‘Mancang’ sank to the bottom of the sea after just a few rounds of bombardment!” “Ha ha ha ha!” The Emperor let out a sharp laugh, picked up his wine glass, and his face was flushed with a sickly color. “King Zhenbei? Just a peasant hiding on the mainland. I don’t think he’d have the guts to cross the ocean and come to my kingdom of God to die! Send the order down, have the navy intensify patrols. If any more Central Plains merchant ships approach, they will be sunk. All cargo and people will be ‘dealt with’ on the spot!” He had blind confidence in the greedy daimyo under his command, and even more absolute faith in his own samurai and navy. In his eyes, the blue sea is his natural barrier. And Lin Xiao was just the next fat sheep that he could rob at will. A few days later, the East China Sea was calm. A scout fleet of the Japanese pirate country is on routine patrol. The soldiers on the ship leaned lazily against the side, enjoying the sea breeze and chatting dirty jokes. Suddenly, the soldier in charge of the lookout rubbed his eyes, pointed to the place where the sea and the sky met in the distance, and stammered, “What…what is that?” Everyone looked in the direction he pointed. At the end of the sea level, there first appeared columns of black smoke rising into the sky, like wolf smoke rising from the bottom of the sea, covering the sky and the sun. Then, black silhouettes that were huge beyond imagination slowly emerged from below the sea level. That’s not a boat. Those are moving mountains and rivers on the sea! The leader was none other than the “Zhenbei”. The steel hull shone with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, and thick smoke spewed out of the chimney, giving off a very oppressive feeling. Behind it were dozens of equally ferocious ironclad ships, forming an insurmountable steel wall, plowing through the huge white waves and breaking through them with an unstoppable momentum. The low roar of the steam turbine could still be heard clearly from miles away, like the angry roar of the sea god. All the soldiers on the Japanese pirate scout ship were dumbfounded. The smiles on their faces froze instantly, replaced by endless horror and fear. “Monster…monster!” “It’s…it’s the Dragon Palace’s army! The Sea God is angry!” After a brief silence, the scout fleet erupted in heart wrenching screams. They no longer cared about any military orders. They turned the boat around like crazy, paddled desperately, and fled towards the harbor, crawling and rolling. The news was transmitted back to Kyoto as quickly as possible. The emperor was playing chess with several daimyos and flew into a rage upon hearing the scout’s incoherent and horrified report. “Baga! What Poseidon Army! Have you drunk too much sake? You’re talking nonsense here!” He kicked the scout over and cursed. “It’s true! It’s true, Your Majesty! Steel ships bigger than mountains… cover the entire ocean!” The scout burst into tears and kowtowed repeatedly. “waste!” The emperor didn’t believe it and thought that this coward was shaking the morale of the army. He angrily climbed up the tallest building in the city the castle tower with a group of skeptical daimyos. He wanted to see with his own eyes what could scare his warriors like this. Standing on the top of the castle tower, the sea breeze blows, bringing a hint of coolness. The emperor held a samurai sword and looked towards the sea. At first, he saw nothing. But soon, his pupils began to contract. On the sea level, the endless black smoke is like an insurmountable black Great Wall. Under the Great Wall, those ferocious steel monsters slowly came into his sight. The sunlight shines on their cold steel armor, reflecting a heart pounding cold light. “Clang.” The samurai sword in the emperor’s hand slipped to the ground. The daimyos beside him opened their mouths wide, and the arrogance, complacency and disdain on their faces froze in an instant, and were replaced by an indescribable fear that penetrated deep into their bones. The entire castle tower was in deathly silence. Everyone’s smile froze on their faces. As they looked at the mythical steel fleet that was slowly approaching, they felt their legs go weak and a chill rushed from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads. Chapter 471: War Spoils Inside the bridge of the “Zhenbei”, Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, the sea breeze blowing the corners of his clothes. His deep gaze penetrated the miles of sea fog and stared coldly at the island port that was in chaos. He didn’t say any extra words, just uttered two words lightly. “General attack.” “Woo——” The order was given, and the flagship’s whistle blew a long, piercing sound that split the clouds and rocks. The next moment, a fleet consisting of dozens of giant steel ships roared at the same time. Boom! Boom! Boom! Countless black spots tore through the air, and with sharp whistles, they smashed into the port of the Japanese pirate country accurately and ruthlessly. In the first round of bombardment, the wooden warship was like an egg hit by a sledgehammer, instantly shattered into pieces and turned into countless burning fragments. The fortifications, arrow towers, and camps along the coast were uprooted with earth shaking roars, and dirt, rocks, and debris soared into the sky and fell down mixed with blood and flesh. The entire port turned into a sea of fire in an instant. The few remaining Japanese pirate navy warships summoned up their last bit of Bushido courage and rushed madly towards the steel fleet. But in the face of the Zhenbei Fleet’s absolute range and terrifying firepower coverage, their charge seemed ridiculous and tragic. The shells were like plows, easily plowing trenches of death through their thin fleet. The moth flies into the fire, and before it even touches the edge of the flame, it is burned to ashes. On the sea, flames and thick smoke billowed, dyeing the blue water into a glaring red and black. “Landing.” Lin Xiao’s voice sounded again, still calm and without a trace of emotion. The landing craft were lowered, and teams of Zhenbei Army soldiers wearing uniform military uniforms and holding new automatic rifles, formed neat square formations at the command of their officers, walked on the beach soaked with sea water, and steadily advanced into the city. Their footsteps were steady, powerful, and in unison, like an unshakable steel wall. “Kill them!” Inside the city, the remaining Japanese pirate warriors finally recovered from their initial shock and fear. Their eyes were red, they shouted meaningless fanatical slogans, brandished shiny samurai swords, and poured out from the streets and alleys like a tide , launching a desperate charge towards the Zhenbei Army’s phalanx. The warriors in the lead were agile and extremely fast, with ferocious expressions that showed they were not afraid of death. In front of the Zhenbei Army’s phalanx, the commander raised his hand indifferently, then swung it down violently. Dadadadada—— No roaring, no fighting. There were only dense tongues of fire spewing out from the muzzles of hundreds of guns at the same time. The dozens of Japanese pirates who were rushing in the front seemed to be hit by countless invisible heavy punches. They didn’t even have time to scream before they were turned into flying blood mist and minced meat in the dense rain of bullets. The warriors following behind were full of enthusiasm the previous second, but were completely shocked by this hellish scene the next second. They watched their companions evaporate before their eyes, and the visual impact instantly shattered all their courage and faith. The formation collapsed. The survivors dropped their katanas, screamed and turned to flee, and the scene became a one sided massacre. The city was easily captured. Inside the castle tower. The emperor and his daimyos watched everything that happened in the city with dejected expressions. That’s not war, that’s slaughter. “Baka! Trash! All trash!” The Emperor, acting like a madman, drew his sword and paced back and forth in the room, roaring, “How could the warriors of the Kingdom of God lose to a bunch of peasants! I will die with honor! I will perish with them!” The daimyos beside him looked at the Zhenbei Army advancing like a god’s army outside the window, and then looked at the emperor who looked like a madman. The last trace of loyalty in their eyes was completely replaced by the instinct of survival. A daimyo with sharp eyes took a step back quietly, a fierce look flashing in his eyes. Die with honor? He didn’t want to die. Suddenly, he pulled out the dagger from his waist, and when the emperor turned around, he rushed forward and stabbed the dagger into the emperor’s back with all his strength. “Puff!” The emperor’s roar stopped abruptly. He lowered his head in disbelief, looking at the tip of the knife that pierced his chest. He slowly turned around and stared at the daimyo. “you……” Before he could finish, the other daimyos who had reacted seemed to have found an outlet to vent their fear. They rushed forward and slashed wildly at the emperor and several of his loyal confidants with their swords. Swords flashed and blood splattered. A moment later, the heavy gate of the castle tower slowly opened with a creaky sound. Several blood soaked daimyo came out tremblingly. The leader, holding a bloody head high in his hands, was the roaring emperor. Behind them were the Emperor and Empress, who were trembling with fear and pale, as well as several young princesses, whose faces were also filled with fear. “Plop!” All the Japanese pirate nobles knelt in front of Lin Xiao’s warhorse, buried their heads deep in the soil, and begged for forgiveness humbly. “Your Majesty, the culprit has been killed! We…we surrender! We are willing to offer all our treasures, lands, and women, only begging for your mercy!” Lin Xiao was riding on his horse, looking down at the scene. His eyes swept across the head with its eyes open, and then fell on the queen, whose face was full of fear but still could not hide her stunning beauty, and the princess behind her, who was still young but had already begun to show the signs of beauty. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a playful smile. He ignored the pleas of these people, but turned his head and instructed the messenger behind him: “Order the exploration team from the Institute of Gewu to go to the island immediately and conduct a mineral resource survey of the entire island. Draw a detailed atlas. Don’t miss a single copy.” A few days later, a map album drawn up in an expedited manner by the Gewuyuan Exploration Team was delivered to Lin Xiao’s desk. The report was extremely detailed, revealing the discovery of vast silver and copper mines on the island. The reserves were so abundant that the kingdom wouldn’t have to worry about coinage and industrial copper for the next hundred years. Lin Xiao was even more surprised by one item highlighted in red in the report: sulfur mines. The reserves are amazing. After reading it, Lin Xiao couldn’t help laughing out loud. Silver and copper mines are money, hard currency, while sulfur is the blood of industry. Whether it is the production of gunpowder or the vulcanization of rubber, it is inseparable from it. Previously, the kingdom’s sulfur production was limited, and it had always been a bottleneck of some magnitude. Unexpectedly, this personal expedition would bring such a great gift. This is simply a treasure trove of resources tailor made for his industrialization. “Pass on my king’s order.” Lin Xiao put down the report, feeling very happy. “Establish the ‘East China Sea Protectorate’ at the largest port here. Wang Jian will lead 10,000 new troops to be stationed there. They will directly manage all mining areas and start mining immediately. As for the others…” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept over the Japanese pirate daimyos who had presented the emperor’s head. “Let them serve as puppets, managing the rest of the region. Every year, the Protectorate will collect tribute from them based on the number of heads and land. Gold, grain, cloth, women, nothing less.” Chapter 472 Matches “Yes!” The messenger took the order and left. As for the Japanese pirate queen Fujiwara no Sakurako, who was presented as “tribute”, and her fifteen year old daughter, Princess Nana, they were taken directly onto the flagship and escorted back to the country as trophies. The Zhenbei Fleet returned triumphantly, loaded with mountains of treasures and the first batch of mined ore. When the huge steel fleet reappeared in the kingdom’s port, the entire coast was completely plunged into a sea of carnival. As the people watched the boxes of glittering gold and silver being unloaded from the ship and listened to the newspapers’ devastating descriptions of the Eastern Expedition, their worship of Lin Xiao surpassed that of a mortal and reached the level of a god. Every household spontaneously set up a longevity tablet for Lin Xiao, and the incense offerings were so strong that they even exceeded those for their own ancestors. It was another afternoon in the backyard of the palace. Lin Xiao lay leisurely in the rocking chair. Liu Ruyan was carefully peeling a crystal lychee for him and bringing it to his mouth, her eyes full of tenderness. Tuya, who was standing beside him, knelt on the blanket and massaged Lin Xiao’s legs with moderate force. Not far away, there was a clumsy sound of sweeping the floor. The new “maid”, the former queen of the Japanese pirates, Fujiwara no Sakurako, was wearing a coarse maid’s uniform and struggling to swing a broom that was taller than her. Her face, which had once been pampered and beautiful, was now filled with humiliation and fear. Her fair and delicate hands had several blisters because she was not used to rough work. Next to her, Princess Nana was carrying a wooden bucket and staggering to fetch water. The luxurious twelve piece dress had long been stripped off and replaced with equally simple clothes, which made her still childish face look more pitiful. The mother and daughter would secretly look up from time to time, glancing with fear at the man in the rocking chair who dominated their fate, and their bodies would tremble uncontrollably. Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and admired the scene. Turning a country’s queen and princess into maids cleaning the yard in your own backyard, the pleasure of conquest is far more satisfying than seizing any amount of gold, silver and treasures. He could clearly sense that the gazes of Liu Ruyan and Tuya beside him, looking at him, also had a strange glow. It was the heartfelt admiration and attachment of females to the absolutely powerful. At this moment, a crisp prompt sound came from my mind. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability detected +8, current favorability: 82.] [Ding! The accumulated favorability meets the lottery conditions. Do you want to enter the lottery now?] Lin Xiao’s heart moved. It’s time to draw again. He muttered to himself: “Lottery.” The system interface in front of him flashed, and the shadow of a booklet slowly emerged, turning into a line of clear large characters, flooding into his mind. “Complete Match Manufacturing Technology”. From the ratio of red phosphorus and potassium chlorate, to the wood processing of matchsticks, to the drawings of automated production lines, all the knowledge is available. Lin Xiao couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly. nice one. Compared to big things like steel and warships that change a country’s hard power, matches, although seemingly insignificant, are magical objects that can truly penetrate into thousands of households and completely change the details of people’s lives. With it, people no longer have to work hard to drill wood to make fire, nor do they have to carefully preserve the fire. A small wooden stick, with a gentle stroke, can create a flame of civilization. What this little gadget represents is a leap in the convenience of life and an improvement in the happiness of countless families. He came up with another idea that would make the people of the entire kingdom cheer. Lin Xiao opened his eyes, a gleam of light flashing across them. He sat up and instructed the guards beside him, “Send an order, summon Zhang Fuan, and have him come to see me immediately.” “yes!” Not long after, Zhang Fuan came jogging over, his face flushed and panting. He saw the king’s relaxed and comfortable expression from afar, and his heart began to beat wildly. Experience told him that every time the king showed this expression, it meant that another earth shattering divine object was about to be born! “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan bowed, his eyes filled with fanatical anticipation. In the study, Lin Xiao didn’t say much. He directly drew a match production flow chart on the blackboard and wrote down a series of chemical terms. “… Made from red phosphorus and potassium chlorate as the main ingredients, supplemented with glue and manganese dioxide…” Zhang Fuan widened his eyes and tried hard to memorize these incomprehensible words. He was completely confused about what “red” and “green” meant, but this did not hinder his inner enthusiasm. He didn’t understand, but he knew that the king understood! That was enough! Looking at Zhang Fuan’s excited and scratching face, Lin Xiao smiled and handed him a piece of paper filled with chemical formulas and precautions. “According to this recipe, go to the Institute of Gewu and build a match factory. This will be the exclusive product of our Zhenbei Kingdom, and no one is allowed to produce it privately.” Zhang Fuan took the paper as if it were a treasure, his hands trembling as he nodded heavily, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! I promise to complete the task!” Half a month later, a new and unusual product quietly appeared on the counters of all the supply and marketing cooperatives in the kingdom. A small palm sized paper box, beautifully packaged, with two powerful characters printed in vermilion on it “Divine Fire”. This thing is priced extremely low, a box of fifty sticks costs only three copper coins. The people were curious but didn’t know what it was used for. They just thought the king had come up with some new gadget, so they bought a box to take home and see for themselves. In Jiaoshi County, at Wang Tiezhu’s home. As night fell and the oil lamp shone dimly, Wang Tiezhu finished his dinner, solemnly washed his hands, and then carefully pulled out a small “Shenhuo” brand box from his pocket. His son Wang Gousheng, his grandson Huzi, and the whole family, young and old, all gathered around curiously, stretching their necks and not daring to breathe. “Dad, what kind of treasure is this? You’ve been holding it in your arms all day.” Wang Gousheng couldn’t help but ask. “The newspaper said this is called a match, and it is the ‘divine fire’ bestowed upon us ordinary people by the king!” Wang Tiezhu had a mysterious look on his face, with awe in his eyes. He followed the instruction of the clerk at the supply and marketing cooperative and pulled out a thin wooden stick from the box. One end of the stick was stained with something red. Under the astonished gaze of his family, Wang Tiezhu held the wooden stick and lightly scratched the rough paper on the side of the box. “Sizzle!” With a slight sound, a bright and warm flame suddenly ignited at his fingertips, illuminating the shocked faces of the whole family. “It’s lit! It’s lit!” The grandson Hu Zi was the first to react, clapping his hands and jumping up and down. Wang Gousheng and his wife were so stunned that they kept their mouths open for a long time. That small flame was a hundred times brighter than the tinder ignited by hammering a flint for a long time, and it happened so easily and so cleanly. Chapter 473 The King Gets Angry Wang Tiezhu himself was stunned. He held the burning stick with his hands trembling slightly, as if he was holding not a piece of firewood but a miracle. “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is truly a living god!” He was so excited that his eyes were red and his voice was choked with sobs. “Back then, I had to jingle and clang the flint for a long time, but it might not light up. Now… now, just a light stroke…” He blew out the flame, put the burnt match away as if it were a treasure, and then carefully put the box of “magic fire” back into his arms, fearing that he would lose one. That night, the Wang family did not turn on the lights. The family gathered around the table. Wang Tiezhu would light a match every once in a while, and the whole family would gather around the short and bright flame, as if they couldn’t get enough of it, until the whole box was used up. Soon, this wave called “Divine Fire” swept across the entire kingdom. Whether they are urban residents or rural villagers, every household has a few boxes. Women no longer had to sweat profusely while drilling wood and blowing fire when cooking; men could go to the fields before dawn and light a fire to keep warm with just a box; night watchmen could tell the time with just a stroke of the pen when patrolling at night… This small thing has greatly improved the convenience of life. Because it is easy to make fire, fewer families need to keep a fire all night, and as a result, the number of fires has decreased a lot. The people didn’t know the principles of chemistry, they only knew that this good thing was brought by the king. Gradually, people no longer called it “divine fire”, but used a more intimate and heartfelt name “King’s Fire”. Lin Xiao’s popularity, amidst these insignificant flames, once again reached a peak that no mortal could reach. Royal Palace, Council Hall. The core members gathered again, and everyone’s face was filled with irrepressible excitement and enthusiasm. “Your Majesty!” Song Qinghe was the first to step out. The financial report in his hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, but his voice trembled slightly with excitement. “Since the Eastern Expedition, with the opening of new trade routes and the implementation of the Ocean Trade Promotion Act, our kingdom’s customs revenue has skyrocketed in just three months. The total amount… has already exceeded the kingdom’s total agricultural tax revenue for the entire year last year! Now the treasury is overflowing, with mountains of gold and silver, more than enough to support any scale of construction!” As soon as the words fell, everyone in the room was shocked. The tax revenue from maritime trade actually exceeds the agricultural tax, which is the foundation of the country. What a terrifying growth! Before everyone could recover from their shock, Li Dequan had already stepped out, his old face full of wrinkles and wrinkles, a red glow of satisfaction. “Your Majesty, regarding people’s livelihoods, with the initial establishment of the Health Department system and the popularization of the ‘Epidemic Prevention Manual’, the neonatal mortality rate across the country has dropped by nearly 50% compared to three years ago!” “Thanks to the implementation of compulsory education for all, the enrollment rate for school age children has reached 70%, and the national literacy rate has skyrocketed! People’s wisdom is gradually awakening. There are no more ignorant people in the kingdom who can be deceived!” The old village chief’s words made everyone present feel a sense of pride from the bottom of their hearts. This was no longer just an increase in wealth, but a leap forward in civilization. Next came Zhang Fuan, whose face was full of fanaticism. “Your Majesty! Industry!” he practically roared. “Supported by the East Sea sulfur mine and the new silver mine, our steel production has doubled again! The new generation of more efficient steam engines has been widely used in all the major mines and factories in the kingdom!” “With Steel City as its center, the railway network connecting all core county towns has been fully connected! The kingdom is now like a network of steel veins. Any supplies and troops can reach any corner within a few days!” Finally, there was Sun Mingde, who was wearing armor. His voice was like a bell and his murderous aura was intimidating. “Your Majesty! On the military front, the First and Second Fleets have completed their expansion. The ocean going fleet, centered around the Zhenbei, has begun exploring further south!” “As for the Army, all corps have been fully equipped with new repeating rifles and breech loading cannons. Both the firepower density and range are incomparable to before! Today’s Zhenbei Army is more than enough to crush any enemy on this continent!” All reports completed. In the meeting room, you could hear a pin drop. Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde… all the important officials of the kingdom, when they looked at each other, could see the extremely fanatical fire in each other’s eyes. Finance, people’s livelihood, industry, military… Under the king’s hands, this kingdom is taking off madly at a speed that mortals cannot understand. They all straightened their clothes, took a step back, and bowed deeply to the young man with a calm expression on the throne. “Your Majesty, for eternity!” This time, in addition to worship, their eyes also showed a sense of supreme glory and enthusiasm for following the gods and creating an era. Lin Xiao looked at the excited faces below and nodded with satisfaction. “Thank you for your hard work.” He stood up slowly, his voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone. “Pass on my royal decree. From now on, the kingdom’s financial budget will tilt towards the Institute of Physical Science and the Medical School, and the investment… will be doubled.” He wanted to make this era, which he created with his own hands, run faster. After a while, in the backyard of the palace, Lin Xiao lay comfortably in a rocking chair. Liu Ruyan picked up a freshly peeled grape with her slender hands and brought it to Lin Xiao’s mouth. Her eyes were filled with unbreakable tenderness. Tuya was cooking milk tea over a low fire, and the rich aroma filled the air. She looked up at Lin Xiao from time to time, her eyes as gentle as a tamed doe. Not far away, Agula was concentrating on polishing her custom made musket. As she caressed the gun, it shone with a cold metallic luster, which complemented her heroic temperament. She cleaned the gun very gently, her eyes focused and fascinated. At the same time, two figures in simple maid uniforms were kneeling on both sides of the rocking chair. The former queen of the Japanese pirates, Fujiwara Sakurako, now given the name Sakurako, was gently massaging Lin Xiao’s legs with her hands, which once only knew how to play the piano and paint. She lowered her head, her long eyelashes concealing the complex emotions in her eyes, and only her slightly trembling fingertips revealed her inner unrest. Her daughter, the fifteen year old Princess Nana, knelt on the other side, imitating her mother and clumsily kneading Lin Xiao’s calves. That still young face was full of obedience and awe, and he didn’t dare to slack off in the slightest. Taking the queen and princess of a country as maids in the backyard, this ultimate sense of conquest made the smile on Lin Xiao’s face more obvious. At this moment, a series of crisp system prompt sounds rang out in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Ding! Detected that the Queen of the Japanese Pirate Kingdom (Yakurako) has increased her favorability by +5. Current favorability: 5.] [Ding! Detected that the favorability of the Japanese pirate princess (Nana) has increased by +5. Current favorability: 5.] [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability detected +8, current favorability: 90.] Chapter 474 Camera [Ding! The accumulated favorability meets the lottery conditions. Do you want to enter the lottery now?] Lin Xiao’s heart moved. “lottery.” As soon as he finished speaking, the system interface in front of him suddenly shone brightly, dazzlingly bright. The light dissipated, and a line of book titles composed of large pure golden characters slowly emerged, and then turned into a mighty torrent of information, rushing into his mind. “Complete Set of Camera and Darkroom Development Techniques”. “Buzz—” Lin Xiao only felt a buzzing in his brain, and his originally lazy and leisurely body suddenly sat up straight, with an unprecedented bright light bursting out from his pupils! ecstasy! Incomparable ecstasy instantly swept through every cell in his body! A massive torrent of knowledge poured in. The principles of optics, the precise combination of convex and concave lenses, the mechanical structure of the aperture and shutter, the photosensitivity reaction between silver nitrate and gelatin, the film production process, the formulas for fixing and developing chemicals, every step of darkroom development… He closed his eyes, leaned back slightly in the rocking chair, and showed an extremely comfortable expression on his face. He greedily digested this magical skill that was enough to “intercept time”. This is more than just a novelty gadget! He saw newspapers, one after another, featuring images of steel blast furnaces, ironclad fleets, and bountiful wheat fields, carried across the world by merchant ships. This vivid image of Zhenbei’s prosperity and wealth was imprinted in everyone’s mind! It was a silent declaration, a supreme propaganda weapon! He saw how intelligence officers, hiding in the shadows, could use a humble wooden box to bring back incredibly clear images of the enemy’s city defenses, armaments, and generals! That was an invisible blade, the eyes that knew both the enemy and the enemy! He saw Liu Ruyan’s unparalleled elegance, Tuya’s plumpness and gentleness, and Agula’s heroic demeanor, all frozen in the most beautiful moment, never to fade. He saw countless ordinary families who were able to preserve the voices of their parents and the smiling faces of their children forever and pass them down from generation to generation. Propaganda, intelligence, art, family, history… This small wooden box will subvert the future of countless areas in this world! “Hahaha…hahahahaha!” Lin Xiao could no longer suppress his inner pride and laughed out loud. The laughter startled the women around him. Liu Ruyan stopped what she was doing, a hint of curiosity in her beautiful eyes: “Your Majesty, has something great happened to you?” Tuya and Agula also looked over. Even Sakurako and Nana, who were kneeling on the ground, couldn’t help but secretly raise their heads, their eyes full of confusion. Lin Xiao opened his eyes, the gleam in them still lingering. He smiled, pinched Liu Ruyan’s cheek, and said mysteriously, “I’ve thought of a magical item that can preserve your current appearance forever, even for centuries or millennia.” When the women heard this, they were all stunned, and then there was a look of disbelief in their eyes. The next day, Gewuyuan. A newly built optical laboratory is bright and clean, with no dust or dirt. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and other core craftsmen and researchers were urgently summoned here. Their faces were flushed and their eyes were full of anticipation and enthusiasm. The king has another magical object coming to the world! Everyone held their breath and stared at the large blackboard in front of Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao picked up the chalk and instead of drawing the mechanical structure as usual, he drew a series of strange curves and geometric shapes on the blackboard, with unheard of words such as “convex lens”, “concave lens”, and “focal length” marked next to them. Then, he drew a complex dark box with various ingenious linkage devices inside. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others stretched their necks and stared at the drawings intently, all of them in a state of confusion. That complex lens system and that strange camera obscura were more difficult for them to understand than the ancient runes. This thing can neither emit steam nor produce steel. What on earth is it? “Your Majesty, what…what is this?” Zhang Fuan scratched his head and asked in confusion. Lin Xiao put down the chalk, smiled slightly, and began to explain. “This thing is called a ‘camera.’ Its principle is ‘imaging light’.” “Light can be captured and recorded. Through this set of lenses, we can shrink the external scene and project it onto the back wall of this darkroom…” “Then, we’ll utilize the principle of ‘chemical photosensitivity’ and place a thin sheet coated with a special agent on the back wall. When light shines on it, a reaction will occur, permanently recording the image…” There was deathly silence in the laboratory. Everyone stared with their eyes wide open and their mouths open, stunned. Light… can be captured? Shadows… can be recorded? Is this… is this human language? Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others felt like their brains had turned into a mess. When I first heard Wang talk about the steam engine, although I was shocked, I could at least understand it. It was nothing more than boiling water to generate power. But what happened today was completely beyond their comprehension. This isn’t just a technique anymore; it’s divine magic! It’s a magical technique that creates things out of thin air! Looking at the dazed expressions of the crowd, as if they were listening to a foreign text and their worldview was once again rubbed to the ground, Lin Xiao’s smile deepened and he spoke lightly. “Physics Department, immediately establish an optics team to focus on lens grinding.” “In the Chemistry Department, we will establish a photosensitive project and specialize in preparing pharmaceutical preparations.” Lin Xiao handed two drawings filled with chemical formulas and optical parameters to the heads of the two departments respectively. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others took over the blueprint that looked like a heavenly book. Although they could not understand a single word, since the king had given an order, they had only one word in mind do it! The entire Gewuyuan instantly turned into a high speed machine. The craftsmen from the physics department carefully cut and polished the glass according to the drawings, trying to create a “convex lens” with a perfect curvature. The chemistry researchers, like alchemists, mixed various mineral powders, such as silver nitrate, in incredible proportions, hoping to concoct what the king called a “photosensitive agent.” However, for half a month, the Institute of Gewu consumed a huge amount of glass and precious silver nitrate, but the result was a pile of waste. The lenses ground by physics departments are either uneven in thickness or have the wrong curvature. When you look through the lenses, your silhouette will be distorted and it will be impossible to form a clear image. The chemistry department was even worse. The prepared medicine was smeared on a glass plate and placed in a dark box. When it was taken out and looked at, it was either a black patch or no reaction at all. “Your Majesty, this… this thing is too weird!” Zhang Fuan was holding a piece of glass with a blurry image and only a ghost shadow on it, sweating profusely in anxiety. “Our best craftsmen have hands steadier than an embroiderer’s, but they can’t achieve the…the smoothness described in the blueprint. And this potion, if the proportions are even slightly off, it’s all ruined.” Lu Jin and other researchers were also frustrated. They had memorized the formula given by the king, but the results of each experiment were very different and they could not find any pattern at all. Chapter 475: Freeze Time Looking at the gloomy expressions on everyone’s faces, Lin Xiao just smiled indifferently. He knew that this had reached the limit of handicrafts in this era. Without precision machine tools and stable chemical purification technology, it is impossible to achieve success overnight. “No problem, follow me.” Lin Xiao didn’t say much and led everyone directly to the workshop. He personally drew the blueprints and asked craftsmen to modify a steam engine and use gears and drive shafts to create a precision grinding machine driven by water. “Using water as the force, the grinding tool rotates at a constant speed, and then it is equipped with the finest diamond sand.” Lin Xiao pointed at the slowly rotating machine. “In this way, the precision that is unattainable by human power can be completed by machinery.” Everyone was stunned. Afterwards, Lin Xiao walked into the chemistry laboratory again, and this time, he did it himself. Weighing, dissolving, filtering, precipitation… every step is as precise as a textbook. He didn’t even use a scale; he just weighed it with his hand and was able to accurately determine the amount of the medicine. Finally, when preparing the fixer, he added a substance that no one would have thought of a solution extracted from sulfur shipped from the East China Sea. “This is the one that’s lacking.” Lin Xiao packaged the prepared medicine and handed it to Lu Jin, “Mass production according to this standard.” Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others watched Lin Xiao’s smooth operation and listened to his casual instructions, their hearts were already in turmoil. In their eyes, the king is omnipotent! Another half a month passed. With the help of a hydraulic grinder and new chemicals, the kingdom’s first truly large format wooden camera, along with its matching photosensitive glass base, was finally born. Everyone in the laboratory held their breath. Lin Xiao placed the quaint wooden camera on a tripod and pointed the lens at a chair in the middle of the room. “Who’s coming?” He looked around. Everyone subconsciously took a step back, looking at the black hole in the camera lens, feeling creepy. Putting a person’s shadow into this box sounds unsettling. “I…I’ll do it!” In the end, Zhang Fuan gritted his teeth and stepped forward. He walked to the chair with a fearless attitude and sat down, his hands on his knees, his body as tense as an iron rod, his face full of tension. Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction, picked up a piece of black cloth to cover himself and the back of the camera, and began to adjust the focus. “Don’t move.” Following an order, Lin Xiao stood up and took out a small iron plate filled with silver white powder. He glanced at Zhang Fuan, whose facial muscles were twitching with nervousness, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly, then lit the fuse on the iron plate with a match. “boom!” With a loud bang, a ball of extremely dazzling white light burst out from the iron plate, instantly illuminating the entire laboratory as bright as day! “Ouch!” Zhang Fuan was frightened by the sudden bright light and loud noise, and his whole body trembled. He jumped up from the chair and sat down on the ground. He was in a daze for a long time. The craftsmen and researchers around were also shocked and covered their eyes. Lin Xiao ignored all this. He calmly removed the glass plate from the camera, turned around and walked into a temporary darkroom next to him that was surrounded by black cloth. The door curtain fell, isolating the inside and the outside. In the laboratory, everyone looked at each other, not daring to breathe. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the swaying black cloth, their hearts in their throats. Time passes by minute by minute, and each second seems so long. Finally, the door curtain was lifted. Lin Xiao walked out of the darkroom holding a wet glass plate that was still dripping with water. Everyone’s eyes were instantly focused on the glass panel. At first, they were confused and didn’t understand why the king would take out a wet piece of glass. But when they got closer, everyone was stunned. On the crystal clear glass plate, the image of a person was clearly displayed it was Zhang Fuan who had just been frightened to sit on the ground! In the picture, his eyes were wide open, his mouth was slightly open, and the expression of surprise, tension, and a hint of confusion on his face was captured vividly. Even the beads of sweat on his forehead were clearly visible. There was deathly silence in the laboratory. You can hear a pin drop. Everyone gathered around, stretched their necks, and pointed at the lifelike “Zhang Fuan” on the glass plate. Their eyes were as big as bells, as if they had collectively seen a ghost. Their throats were hoarse, but they couldn’t utter a word. “This…this…is this me?” Zhang Fuan himself was struck by lightning. He stretched out his finger with trembling hands, wanting to touch himself on the touchpad, but he didn’t dare. He looked at the perfectly replicated “other self” and felt as if part of his soul had been taken away and stuffed into this small piece of glass. The next moment, all the strength in his body seemed to be drained away, his legs softened, and with a “thump”, he knelt heavily on the ground. He used all his strength to kowtow to Lin Xiao, his voice extremely shocking: “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is truly a god who has seized the creation of heaven and earth! This is the art of capturing souls, no, this is the immortal method of retaining time!” His kneeling was like a signal. All the craftsmen and researchers in the laboratory reacted immediately, kneeling down in unison and kowtowed to Lin Xiao. Their worldview was completely crushed at this moment, and then reshaped in a more fanatical way. Their king is no longer a mortal. But it is the true God who truly walks among the human world, who can intercept time and freeze the passage of time! A few days later, a brand new shop opened on the most prosperous street in the county town. On the plaque were four big characters written by Lin Xiao himself Wang’s Photo Studio. On the opening day, the front page of the Zhenbei Daily published a picture that no one had ever seen. It was a portrait of Lin Xiao. In the photo, Lin Xiao is wearing casual clothes and sitting on a chair, gazing calmly ahead, as if he can penetrate the paper and see into the hearts of every newspaper reader. The clarity of the photo reached an incredible level. Every strand of hair, every texture on the clothes, and even the glimmer reflected in his eyes were all clearly visible. Below the photo is a large, eye catching headline: “Miracle: The King Freezes Time for You.” As soon as the newspaper came out, the whole kingdom was shocked. Countless people held newspapers, their hands shaking. They looked at the portrait over and over again, unable to understand how such a realistic painting could exist in the world. This is no longer a painting, it is simply the king himself printed on paper! “A miracle! This is definitely a miracle!” “Hurry to Wang’s Photo Studio! I heard you can see this magical technique there!” The entire county town went completely crazy. Thousands of people flocked to the photo studio like a tide, blocking the street in front of it. Chapter 476 This is witchcraft Wang Tiezhu pulled his son Wang Gousheng and mixed in the crowd. The father and son stretched their necks and waited in line for three full days before they were finally squeezed into the photo studio. As soon as they entered the door, the father and son were dumbfounded. There were more than a dozen framed photos hanging on the wall, including people and landscapes. Each one looked just like the ones in the newspaper, vivid and lifelike, as if they could walk out of the frame at any time. “Dad, this… is this really something a human can do?” Wang Gousheng opened his mouth and couldn’t close it for a long time. “The Saint of Painting has appeared… No, even the Saint of Painting cannot paint such a magical object!” Wang Tiezhu muttered to himself, his eyes full of shock. Finally, it was their turn to take pictures. When they were led to a dark iron box, Wang Tiezhu’s heart began to beat fast. As the photographer shouted “Look here”, the spotlight flashed with a “boom”, scaring Wang Tiezhu so much that he shivered and almost slipped off the chair. Half an hour later, when he took the photo that still smelled of medicine from his master, he was completely frozen. In the photo, he and his son Wang Gousheng are sitting side by side. He could clearly see the wrinkles on his face and the white hair at his temples, while Wang Gousheng next to him was grinning with a youthful and bright smile. One is old, the other is young. One represents the past, the other represents the future. The life scenes of the father and son seemed to intersect on this small piece of paper. Wang Tiezhu watched and watched until his eyes became hot and two lines of tears rolled down without warning. He gently stroked his son’s face in the photo with his rough fingers, then looked at his own old face, and two lines of tears rolled down. “Dad has looked like this in his life…” He choked, carefully wrapped the photo in layers of clean red cloth, and put it close to his body in his arms. “Gousheng, this is our family heirloom. We must pass it on to Huzi and our descendants!” The news and photos soon reached the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Inside the palace, Li Yan held the photo sent from Zhenbei Kingdom, a sneer on his face. “It’s a nice painting, they found a good painter. This Lin Xiao, all he knows how to do is make a splash.” But when he held the photo in front of him, the smile on his face froze instantly. He saw the hair that was so clear that he could touch it, the fine stitching on the clothes, and those eyes… Those calm eyes seemed to contain a starry sky that could see through all his thoughts. This is not a painting! This thought exploded in his mind like thunder. “Pah.” The photo slipped from his trembling hands and fell to the ground. Li Yan seemed to have seen something horrifying. He took two steps back and bumped his butt onto the dragon throne. He pointed at the photo on the ground and let out a scream that was not human: “Witchcraft! This is witchcraft!” He pounced on it like a madman and tore the photo into pieces, but no matter how he tore it, that calm and deep face had been deeply engraved in his mind like a brand, turning into his eternal nightmare. That night, at the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Zhou Mubai received a pieced together, creased photo from the spy. He spread the photo carefully on the desk and lit the candle. The flickering candlelight illuminated his aged face. He just stared at the photo of Lin Xiao for the entire night. From dusk to dawn. When the first ray of morning light shone in from the window, Zhou Mubai finally moved. He let out a long sigh, which was filled with indescribable fatigue and despair. He reached out and put the photo away again, and his face was ashen. He knew that the Great Zhou was over. This King of Zhenbei not only took away the land and people’s hearts of the Great Zhou. He has completely changed this day. As the news of photography technology spread throughout the kingdom, Lin Xiao also ushered in a rare period of leisure. He simply took his camera and boarded the luxurious steam train built specially for him with Liu Ruyan, Tuya, Agula and other girls, and began a tour of the kingdom. The train roared, and the steel dragon traveled between the vast fields and the emerging towns. Outside the car window are neatly arranged farmlands, towering factory chimneys, and the busy and hopeful figures of the people. All of this made the women in the carriage dazzled and filled with pride. The first stop is the northern grassland. The autumn air was crisp and the grass was golden. Agula changed into a tight, fiery red riding suit, shedding the docile image of the palace and transforming himself once again into the proudest horse on the grassland. She mounted her horse, looking heroic and galloping across the boundless grassland, her horsetail and long hair flying in the wind. Lin Xiao raised the camera and adjusted the focus. “Crack!” The magnesium powder flashed and made a muffled sound. Agula was startled, pulled the reins of his horse and looked over in confusion. came out with a wet glass bottom plate. Agula moved forward curiously, and the moment she saw the image on the bottom plate clearly, she was stunned. In the photo, she is riding a horse and waving the whip. The sunlight outlines her agile figure. The smile on her face is confident and bold. The background is the vast sky and grassland. The vitality that seemed to be trying to break free from the frame even frightened her. “This… is this me?” She stretched out her fingers and gently touched herself in the photo, her eyes flashing with an unprecedented brilliance. This is more real and more shocking than any other painter’s paintings. This man not only conquered her body and her people, but now, in a way she could not understand, he captured her soul and froze her most beautiful moment. She raised her head and looked at Lin Xiao. In addition to awe, there was also a hint of hot and unbreakable admiration in her eyes. The train continued south and arrived at the most prosperous East China Sea port. At the dock, dozens of steam merchant ships of various sizes were handling cargo, and huge steam cranes easily lifted cargo boxes weighing thousands of pounds. Merchants from all over the world, speaking in different accents, bargained with tax officials and merchant managers. A busy and prosperous scene. For Tuya, who was wearing a gorgeous long dress, and Liu Ruyan, who was gentle and elegant, Lin Xiao chose a newly launched, largest, 10,000 ton ocean going merchant ship as the background. “Crack!” A strong light flashed, freezing the two stunning beauties and the giant steel ship behind them, representing the power of the kingdom, forever in the same picture. When Tuya and Liu Ruyan saw the photo, they snuggled up to Lin Xiao happily. They are graceful and elegant in the photo, and the busy dock and prosperous country in the background were all created by the man in front of them. As his women, the pride they feel in being his wife fills their hearts with a huge sense of happiness. It was late at night and after settling the women down, Lin Xiao quietly got up. He changed into a nightgown and went to the backyard of the palace alone, where the huge ball of fur was already waiting. Lin Xiao turned over and mounted the horse. The fur ball took off and blended silently into the night, galloping towards the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Chapter 477: Freeze the Glory The Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Fengyi Palace. The cold moonlight shines through the window lattice and falls on the cold ground. Liu Weilan sat alone under the lamp, her slender fingers gently stroking a drawing. That was the sewing machine drawing that Lin Xiao had left behind, and she had long noticed the rough edges on it. Whenever she felt longing for him, she would take out the blueprint, look at the intricate and complex structures on it, and imagine the new world that the man had drawn, only then would she find a little comfort in her heart. Behind him, a dark shadow emerged silently from the corner. Liu Weilan was suddenly startled and was about to scream, but a strong big hand covered her mouth from behind and hugged her into a warm and familiar embrace. “It’s me.” A low voice sounded in my ears. Liu Weilan trembled all over, and all her fear instantly turned into endless grievance and longing. She turned around and threw herself into Lin Xiao’s arms regardless of everything, burying her face deeply in his chest. The tears brought by her longing instantly burst out and soon soaked his clothes. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything, just held her quietly and stroked her back. It took a long time for Liu Weilan’s emotions to gradually calm down. Lin Xiao let go of her and took out the quaint wooden camera like a magic trick. “What is this?” Liu Weilan looked at the strange box curiously with tears in her eyes. “A magical object that can hold time.” Lin Xiao said with a smile, “I want to preserve your most beautiful appearance at this moment. When I take you out in the future, I will let you see it every day, so that you will remember that you will always be the most noble woman in the world.” When Liu Weilan heard this, it was as if her heart was hit by a heavy hammer, and her whole body froze. Take her out… These four words, like a thunderclap, created a huge wave in her heart. Tears fell uncontrollably again. She looked at Lin Xiao’s confident and deep eyes and nodded vigorously. She obediently let Lin Xiao do what he wanted, walked into the inner room, opened the suitcase, and walked out again after a moment. She changed into the gorgeous phoenix robe that symbolized the highest power in the Great Zhou. The phoenix embroidered with gold thread sparkled brightly in the candlelight, and the intricate head ornaments made her already beautiful face even more graceful and elegant . But those beautiful phoenix eyes were filled with unremitting sorrow and determination. Lin Xiao set up the camera and looked at the stunning woman in front of him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. “Don’t move.” Following a light shout, the spotlight suddenly flashed. The dazzling white light instantly illuminated the entire gloomy palace, and also froze Liu Weilan’s beautiful face and loving eyes forever. Lin Xiao did not leave, but instead used the medicine he brought with him to rinse out the glass bottom plate in the corner of the cold palace. Liu Weilan held her breath and watched him operate smoothly in the dark, as if she was witnessing the birth of a miracle. When Lin Xiao handed the still damp photo to her, she was completely stunned. In the photo, I am wearing a phoenix robe and looking extremely gorgeous. The face, clothing, and even the perfect hint of sorrow in the eyes are all so clear that they seem to be within reach. She looked at the noble and beautiful woman in the photo, and then at the man in front of her who could work miracles for her. She knew that her body and soul, along with the last bit of dignity that remained as a queen, completely belonged to him. Unable to suppress the frenzy in her heart any longer, Liu Weilan threw the photo away, stood on tiptoe, and pressed her trembling, slightly cold lips hard against Lin Xiao’s. This kiss was passionate and filled with a desperate madness. The night is as deep as ink. On the phoenix bed, spring is boundless. The clouds cleared and the rain stopped. Liu Weilan lazily lay on Lin Xiao’s solid chest, her long black hair falling like a waterfall. The dignity and majesty that belonged to a queen disappeared from her face, replaced by a deep seated satisfaction and confusion. Her white fingers, like a disobedient kitten, gently drew circles on his chest. Lin Xiao put his big hands around her smooth back, feeling the warmth and softness of her body in his arms. The pleasure of conquest in his heart almost overflowed. This is the queen of the Great Zhou, the most noble woman in the world in name only. At this moment, she was like a docile cat, submitting to him. This ultimate experience made him feel more comfortable and proud than conquering a city . At this moment, a cold system prompt sounded in my mind. [System prompt: Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by +10, current favorability: 54.] 【Accumulate favorability and get a chance to win a prize.】 Lin Xiao’s heart moved. Here it comes. He looked at Liu Weilan, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes were moving, and muttered in his heart: “Lottery.” The familiar system interface spun in my mind, flashing with light. After a moment, the light slowly dissipated, and a line of beautiful small characters quietly appeared in the center of the interface. “Complete set of sanitary napkin production and material technology”. Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment. He froze there, his mind going blank for a moment. What the hell? What about steel? What about ships? What about steam engines, cameras… Which of these previous awards wasn’t a national treasure that changed the world? This time…it’s this? He even subconsciously looked down at Liu Weilan, who was naked in his arms, and his expression became a little strange. The next second, before he could think carefully, a huge torrent of knowledge poured into his mind like a dam breaking. From the most basic cotton non woven fabric technology, to the core polymer water absorbing resin chemical formula, to the PE breathable bottom film to prevent side leakage, and finally to the engineering drawings of the entire sterile and automated production line… Every detail, every parameter is clearly visible and deeply imprinted in his mind. Lin Xiao came back to his senses from his initial astonishment, and the expression on his face gradually changed from weird to a hint of amusement. Finally, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise wildly. He was wrong. So wrong. This seemingly inconspicuous little thing is definitely not something that can be put on the table! This is simply the ultimate concern for half of the world’s population. It is an unparalleled weapon that can change people’s livelihood and win the hearts of all women in the world! He could almost imagine how revolutionary this comfortable, convenient and hygienic “magic object” would be to the lives of all women of this era when it came out. The inconveniences and troubles that have plagued them for thousands of years will be completely ended. By then, Lin Xiao’s name will not only mean the God of War and the Holy King, but also the most considerate and benevolent king in the hearts of all women. This is a silent conquest, more subtle than swords and guns, and more silent than fleets, but also more deeply rooted in people’s hearts. He looked at Liu Weilan in his arms who was looking at him with loving eyes, feeling the warmth and charm of her skin, and felt extremely proud. In this world, not only the territory belongs to him, but also the hearts of the people. Even the most intimate corners of this world, the slightest pain, will be smoothed out by him one by one and completely conquered. Chapter 478 People’s Livelihood The next morning, Lin Xiao returned to the palace quietly. He did not summon Zhang Fuan again, but instead instructed the guards standing outside the door, “Go, ask Madam Ruotong and Madam Ruoxi to come over.” The guards took the order and left. Not long after, the two sisters Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi arrived together. They were both wearing plain home clothes today, one was as calm as water, the other as bright as fire. When they walked into the study, they thought Lin Xiao was going to take them to inspect the newly opened factory or the newly built railway. But as soon as they entered the door, they noticed that the atmosphere was not right. The study room, where government affairs were handled or where divine objects were conceived in the past, was now filled with an inexplicable… awkwardness. And their husband, the man who remained calm no matter how faced he was with a mighty army or a torrent of steel, now sat upright with a wandering look in his eyes, as if he didn’t know how to start. “Husband, is there something you want us to do?” Yan Rutong, who was calm and composed, spoke first. She carefully noticed that there seemed to be a hint of redness on Lin Xiao’s ears. Yan Ruoxi looked around curiously, wanting to see if there were any new gadgets. “cough.” Lin Xiao cleared his throat, picked up the teacup, took a sip, put it down again, and tapped his fingers unconsciously on the table. He pondered for a long time before speaking in a roundabout way, using a tone as calm as possible: “Ruotong, Ruoxi, let me ask you something… For you and the other women in the palace, do you have those few days every month when… um… it’s not very convenient ?” As soon as the words fell. The air in the study seemed to freeze in an instant. The smiles on Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi’s faces froze. They looked at each other blankly at first, as if they didn’t understand what Lin Xiao was saying. Then, when they realized what “inconvenience” meant, their two pretty faces suddenly turned red as if they were on fire, from their cheeks to their necks, and they instantly turned red enough to bleed. “Husband! You…you…” The lively Yan Ruoxi was the first to lose her composure. She was embarrassed and anxious, stamping her feet, and couldn’t say the rest of the words. Yan Ruotong was so ashamed that she twisted the corners of her clothes tightly with her hands, lowered her head, and wished there was a crack in the ground for her to crawl into. Oh my god! How could he ask that? Is this the kind of thing a man could ask? Especially in front of these two sisters! Since ancient times, this has been the most private and difficult topic among women. It is dirty and cannot be discussed in public. Not to mention her husband, even her biological father and brothers would never mention a word about him. But their husband, the founder of this kingdom, the man who was like a god in their hearts, actually… actually discussed this with them in a serious tone! Shame, embarrassment, helplessness…all kinds of emotions instantly overwhelmed them. Seeing the two sisters’ embarrassed expressions, as if they wanted to faint on the spot, Lin Xiao also felt his scalp tingling. He knew how much of an impact this incident had on women of this era, but he still had to say what needed to be said. He no longer beat around the bush and directly pushed the blueprint he had drawn last night in front of them. “Take a look at this first.” His voice regained its usual calmness and professionalism. The two sisters looked up subconsciously. It was an extremely detailed drawing. On it was a flat object with a strange shape that they had never seen before. There are also densely packed cross sectional drawings and structural annotations next to it. “Non woven fabric surface”, “polymer water absorbent resin”, “PE breathable bottom film”, “anti side leakage wings”… The unfamiliar nouns left them confused. “I know you’re feeling embarrassed right now.” Lin Xiao’s voice rang out in their ears, serious and earnest. “But what I want to talk about today isn’t about romance. It’s about a matter of great importance concerning the health and dignity of all women in the world.” “The menstrual cloths you use every month are thick, cumbersome, and difficult to clean. If not cleaned properly, they can easily breed bacteria and cause various gynecological illnesses. Furthermore, there are many inconveniences and concerns when using them. I’m sure you all understand this.” Lin Xiao’s words, like a precise key, instantly opened the doors of their hearts that had been closed for a long time. The two sisters’ bodies trembled imperceptibly. yes…… That sticky, damp, stuffy feeling… That constant fear of getting your clothes dirty… The tedious and humiliating process of repeatedly washing the bloody strips of cloth… These are the tortures they have to go through every month since they were young. They have long been accustomed to it and think that all women in the world are born this way. They never imagined that one day, there would be a man, their husband, who would so bluntly and bloodily analyze their deepest hidden pain. At this moment, the feeling of shyness was replaced by an inexplicable bitterness and grievance. “And this thing,” Lin Xiao pointed his finger at the drawing, “I call it a ‘sanitary napkin’. It’s disposable and can be thrown away after use. It’s thin and soft, and the most important part is this layer.” He pointed to the layer of “polymer water absorbent resin”. “This layer of material can absorb liquids hundreds of times its own weight and lock them in, keeping the surface dry at all times. And these ‘leak proof wings’ will completely eliminate all your worries.” Lin Xiao elaborated on the epoch making significance of sanitary napkins in a tone like explaining the principles of a steam engine. “It will allow you to walk around freely during those days, ride horses, and even do some less strenuous exercise, just like any other day. It will greatly reduce your risk of illness and allow you to live healthier and with more dignity.” There was dead silence in the study. Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi have completely forgotten about being shy. They stared at the drawing blankly, then slowly raised their heads and looked at Lin Xiao. The man in front of me had clear, frank, and serious eyes, without a trace of obscenity or frivolity. There was a look in his eyes that they had never seen before…compassion and concern. It is a look that regards them as equal “people”, cares about their pain, and tries to solve it with wisdom. At this moment, the sisters’ defenses were completely broken. Shocked. Unparalleled shock. move. An overwhelming feeling of emotion. Their husband, the man who can build giant steel ships, develop super fast iron horses, and freeze time with a camera. His gaze is not only directed towards the stars and the sea, but also towards industry and people’s livelihood, and towards world hegemony. I also looked at the most private, humble and unspeakable corners of these women. He was even willing to spend his time and energy to develop such a magical object… which seemed insignificant but could free them from the shackles that had bound them for thousands of years. How considerate is this? How gentle is this? What kind of… love is this? Chapter 479 Yue’an The sisters’ eyes instantly turned red. Crystal clear tears slid uncontrollably from Yan Rutong’s calm eyes. Yan Ruoxi burst into tears with a loud “wow”. She was not ashamed or aggrieved, but was overwhelmed by a huge sense of happiness and emotion. She rushed forward, hugged Lin Xiao’s waist, buried her face in his arms, and sobbed: “Husband…you…how can you be so good…” Lin Xiao hugged her back and patted her back gently. Yan Ruotong also stepped forward. She did not lose her composure like her sister. She just stretched out her slightly trembling hand, gently picked up the drawing, and stroked every unfamiliar noun on it with her fingertips. Tears fell on the paper, blurring the ink. She raised her tearful eyes and looked at Lin Xiao. Her voice trembled slightly, but she asked solemnly, “Husband, can this… really be done?” “Of course.” Lin Xiao smiled. “Not only can I make it, I also want to make it as cheap as a match, so that every woman in the kingdom, rich or poor, can afford it.” This sentence became the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The two sisters could no longer control themselves and hugged each other, crying bitterly. It took a long time for them to calm down. Lin Xiao looked at their red and swollen eyes and said gently, “This thing is not suitable for the men in the Ministry of Industry to make. Therefore, I decided to set up a brand new workshop called ‘Wang Family Women’s Products Workshop’.” He looked at the two sisters and solemnly announced, “This workshop will be fully managed by you two sisters. From recruiting and training craftsmen, to managing the production line, and finally selling, everything will be left to you.” “There’s just one thing,” Lin Xiao emphasized. “This workshop, from managers to craftsmen, only recruits women, especially widows and orphans who are living in poverty. This isn’t just a business; it also provides them with a respectable job to make a living.” Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi were shocked when they heard this. They suddenly looked up and looked at Lin Xiao. At this moment, the emotion and love in my heart have reached an unprecedented peak. He not only gave them the fetish, but also gave them careers, trust, and the power to help other women. “Don’t worry, husband!” The two sisters spoke in unison. They wiped away their tears, and there was no longer any shyness or weakness in their eyes. Instead, there was an unprecedented determination and brilliance. They bowed deeply to Lin Xiao. A few days later, a unique workshop rose from the ground on the outskirts of the royal city. There was no billowing smoke from steel mills, no roaring hammers from arsenals. The workshop is bright and clean with whitewashed walls. All the people coming in and out are women wearing uniform blue work clothes, with a hint of pride on their faces. “Wang’s Women’s Products Workshop” this is the name of the workshop. Sisters Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi were standing at the door of the workshop at this moment, watching the first batch of finished products being carefully packed into wooden boxes printed with exquisite patterns. They personally supervise every step, from the selection of raw materials to the management of the sterile workshop, meticulously. With Lin Xiao’s guidance on the drawings and their tireless efforts, this epoch making artifact finally came into being. The backyard of the palace. All of Lin Xiao’s women were gathered together. Liu Ruyan, Tuya, Agula, Sister Lin, Zhang Wanqing…even the newly arrived maids from the Japanese pirate country, Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, all stood aside awkwardly. The girls were all a little curious, wondering what Lin Xiao was up to. On the stone table, there were palm sized flat paper boxes, with simple and exquisite packaging, and two words printed on them in beautiful fonts Yue’an. “What is this? A new snack?” Tuya picked up a box and looked at it curiously. Agula was a little impatient. She had just finished practicing a set of shooting skills and was sweating all over. She just wanted to take a good shower. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything, but just gave Yan Ruoxi an encouraging look. Yan Ruoxi took a deep breath, and a touching blush appeared on her pretty face. She picked up a box of “Yue’an”, opened it in front of everyone, and took out the white, soft object with wings inside. “Sisters, my husband… my husband…” Yan Ruoxi’s voice trembled a little, but she still mustered up the courage to explain the purpose of this thing and its incredible effects in detail. With every word she spoke, the air in the backyard grew more stagnant. When she finished the last word with a red face, you could hear a pin drop in the entire backyard. The next moment, all kinds of extremely complicated reactions exploded on the women’s faces. Liu Ruyan, Tuya, Pei Xueyi and other women of noble birth and good manners were shocked at first, but then their faces were replaced by deep shyness. They subconsciously lowered their eyes and their ears turned red. How can such a thing be discussed in public? Agula, who was hot tempered, frowned at first, then showed a look of disdain on his face. She felt this was simply an exaggeration. Women on the grasslands, when they had their period, would use animal hides or even wood ash as a cushion, and still ride and shoot arrows. Why should women be so fussy about this? Mrs. Lin and Zhang Wanqing looked like they were struck by lightning. They opened their eyes wide and opened their mouths, unable to utter a word. Countless days and nights of using stiff old cloth strips and wood ash mixed with sand and gravel flashed through their minds . The dampness, the stickiness, the pain that rubbed the inner thighs, the constant fear of soiling the pants… every scene was like a nightmare. They couldn’t believe that this suffering that had tormented them for half their lives would actually… actually be resolved one day? As for Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, they were completely shocked. In the Japanese pirate country, women’s menstruation is regarded as the greatest uncleanness and filth. During menstruation, women are not even allowed to sit at the same table with their families and can only use the crudest and most unhygienic seaweed and rags to deal with it. Have they ever imagined that someone would create something so clean, exquisite, and even “sacred” specifically for such a “dirty” thing? This is beyond their understanding. That night, the women who were menstruating took a box of “Yuean” back to their rooms with mixed feelings. The next day, the atmosphere in the backyard changed completely. Liu Ruyan was the first to come to Lin Xiao. She was not wearing any makeup today, but she looked even more beautiful and charming. Her beautiful eyes were filled with unwavering tenderness and admiration. She said nothing, but silently brewed a cup of tea for Lin Xiao. Her eyes seemed to say: Your Majesty, you are truly the most considerate man in the world. Thousands of words, all unspoken. Lin Xiao was enjoying this warmth when a heroic figure came rushing towards him. It’s Agula. Chapter 480 Completely Lost Agula, the wild horse on the grassland, had an unnatural blush on his face at this moment. She walked in front of Lin Xiao, her eyes wandering, not daring to look at him. “Ahem… that…” She held it in for a long time before whispering, “I practiced shooting this morning, and I felt… I felt like I was a lot lighter.” Her fanatical admiration for Lin Xiao was mixed with a hint of dependence that she herself could not explain. Lin Xiao looked at her shy expression and couldn’t help laughing out loud. In the afternoon, when Lin Xiao was reading in the courtyard, Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, came over respectfully with snacks and fruits. They knelt in front of Lin Xiao and raised the plates above their heads. Lin Xiao looked up and found that their eyes had changed. The fear and humiliation that had penetrated deep into the bones before had disappeared, replaced by a kind of awe that was almost like looking at a god, and a sincere obedience. They finally understood what kind of being they were submitting to. He has both the ruthless power to destroy a country and the compassionate heart to sympathize with a woman’s most humble pain. Perhaps it is not a misfortune to be a maid at the feet of such a god. A few days later, “Yuean” brand sanitary napkins were quietly launched in major department stores and specialized stores in Zhenbei Country at a price so low that they were almost free. There was no fanfare for the publicity, but the Zhenbei Daily devoted a small page to it in its supplement, titled “To every sister: May you be well every month.” The article was written by a female editor who introduced the benefits of “Yuean” and the correct way to use it in detail and attentively in a gentle and intimate tone. At first, it didn’t cause much stir. When the men saw the newspaper, most of them just glanced at it, feeling confused. When women saw this, they would blush and their hearts would beat fast, thinking how shameful it was that such a thing could not be published in the newspaper. But when the first woman mustered up the courage and shyly bought the first pack of “Yuean” in the corner of the department store, everything changed. After just one day, all the women went crazy. “Gone! Gone again! Boss, when will the next batch of ‘Yue An’ arrive?” “My wife said that if I can’t buy these ‘Wang Shang Huo’ and ‘Yuean’ today, I won’t have dinner!” “Line up! Everyone, line up! If anyone dares to cut in line, don’t blame me for being rude!” From the county seat to the rural towns, all the store shelves were sold out almost the moment they opened. The scene was even more frantic than the rush for salt. Even many men were pushed out by their wives and daughters, squeezed into the crowd with confused and helpless faces, shouting at the top of their lungs: “Give me a pack of…that…Yuean!” In the county town, at Wang Tiezhu’s home. Wang Tiezhu’s daughter in law Zhang, with her saved money in her pocket, her face as red as a piece of cloth, waited in line outside for half an hour and finally got back a bag. As soon as I entered the house, I was seen by my mother in law, Aunt Wang. Aunt Wang was sharp eyed. She snatched the paper package, opened it, and was immediately furious: “You spendthrift woman! You’re spending money on these few pieces of rags and cotton? You can’t even make ends meet? This is not how we spend our money! Wouldn’t you rather buy Hu Zi two taels of meat with this money?” Zhang was scolded so much that she couldn’t even lift her head. Her eyes were red. She defended herself in a low voice, aggrieved, “Mom, the newspaper said…it said this is useful…” “You’re still talking back!” Aunt Wang was furious, but seeing her daughter in law’s aggrieved and cherished look, she didn’t say anything more in the end, but just kept muttering “spendthrift”. Two days later, Aunt Wang also got her period. She tore off a piece of old cloth as usual, but her mind kept thinking of her daughter in law’s bag of “Yue’an”. At night, she tossed and turned, tortured by the familiar damp and sticky feeling, and the roots of her legs were rubbed so hard that they burned. Finally, she couldn’t bear it anymore and sneaked into her daughter in law’s room in the dead of night. Under the surprised and happy eyes of her daughter in law, Aunt Wang took a piece with a red face. The next morning, when Zhang was preparing to cook, Aunt Wang came out of the house with red eyes. She grasped her daughter in law’s hand, which was covered with calluses and was trembling slightly. Zhang was startled and called out timidly, “Mother?” Aunt Wang didn’t say anything, just looked at her straight. Zhang felt that her mother in law’s hands were shaking slightly. “Good daughter in law…” Aunt Wang’s eyes suddenly turned red, and her voice was nasal, “Mother…I wrongly blamed you.” She raised her other calloused hand and wiped the corners of her eyes. “I’ve worked hard all my life, suffered all my life, and never thought… never thought life would be like this. Clean, light… It’s like I never came…” As she spoke, Aunt Wang could no longer hold back her tears, covering her face and her shoulders shaking. “It’s worth it… it’s really worth it…” This thing is more than just a few pieces of cotton. It pulls women out of decades or even hundreds of years of pain and embarrassment. The same scene is being played out in thousands of families in Zhenbei Country. The news soon spread to the territory of Da Zhou. Merchants traveling back and forth from north to south described the strange stories of Zhenbei Kingdom with exaggerated details. “Oh, you don’t understand! The women of Zhenbei Country live a truly wonderful life! They eat white rice, wear new cotton padded clothes, and even… even on those few days of the month when they’re not feeling well, they have a divine gift bestowed by the king himself to serve them. It’s called ‘Yue An’!” “That thing! After using it, my body becomes clean, soft, and comfortable. I can do whatever I want. I feel happier than a god!” Such rumors spread everywhere in teahouses and restaurants. When the women of the Great Zhou heard this, they were initially disbelieving, and then they were filled with endless envy and jealousy. When they thought about the rough menstrual cloths they had to use every month and the endless exorbitant taxes levied by the court, their resentment towards the court deepened. Why? They are all women, so their lives are so miserable? Capital city, imperial palace. Li Yan had just finished carving an exquisite wooden birdcage and was blowing the sawdust off it proudly. A young eunuch knelt on the ground and reported the “Yue An” incident tremblingly as a strange story. After hearing this, Li Yan was stunned at first, then he sneered in disdain. “Ha, hahahaha!” He laughed so hard he fell backwards, dropping the birdcage in his hand. “I thought it was some big deal, but it turns out to be something so unpresentable!” He pointed to the north and cursed with disdain, “That Lin Xiao, he’s really just a peasant. He only knows how to use some strange and lewd tricks to please women. He’s not doing his job! He’s a complete joke!” Zhou Mubai, who was standing aside, hunched over, lowered his eyes, and said nothing. But his heart was filled with a piercing coldness. Chapter 481: Agricultural Weapon Strange tricks? Unfocused? Zhou Mubai’s heart sank. He knew what it meant when a regime could care for its people to such a private and subtle level. That means that public opinion has completely turned to the other side. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Lin Xiao’s action may seem insignificant, but in fact it has erected an unparalleled monument in the hearts of all women in the world. The sky of the Great Zhou collapsed. The destiny of the Great Zhou Dynasty was truly doomed. Inside Fengyi Palace. Liu Weilan leaned against the window, stroking a flat paper bag in her hand. This was the “Yue’an” that she asked the palace maid to secretly smuggle in from outside the palace. The packaging is simple and elegant, and feels soft to the touch. She opened it carefully and took out the white, soft towel with delicate wings. Liu Weilan’s fingertips gently stroked the soft cotton surface. The man’s figure appeared uncontrollably in her mind. It was he who saved himself from the despair of smallpox. It was he who used the magical “camera” to capture the most beautiful face for himself. It was he who sent me the sewing machine, giving me something to pass the time in this palace. Now, he even…even thought of the most unspeakable suffering of women. Li Yan, her husband, the emperor of the Great Zhou, never cared whether she was safe or in pain. In his eyes, she was just a queen, a symbol. And Lin Xiao… Liu Weilan pressed the “Yue’an” tightly against her chest, feeling its softness. The only person left in my heart was the man named Lin Xiao. Zhenbei Kingdom, the backyard of the royal palace. Lin Xiao leaned back in the recliner, watching the changes in the girls after the “Yue An” incident, feeling indescribably comfortable and satisfied. Conquering the world is not just about expanding territory, but also about winning people’s hearts. At this moment, he felt that he had done it. A fragrant breeze blew over, and Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, changed into simple and elegant maid uniforms, walked lightly with lotus steps, and came behind him. They didn’t say anything, but just knelt down silently, one on the left and one on the right, stretched out their hands, and massaged Lin Xiao’s shoulders. The force was just right, with a hint of cautious flattery. “Your Majesty.” Sakurako lowered her head, her voice as soft as a feather brushing against her ear. “You… the divine object you bestowed upon me has allowed Nana and I to… feel a purity and dignity we’ve never experienced before.” In the Wokou Kingdom, as the queen, she had never enjoyed such treatment. Women’s menstruation is dirty and needs to be hidden. But for this man, it was treated seriously, and he even invented a sacred object for it. This kind of impact is far more shocking than being struck by swords. Lin Xiao didn’t open his eyes, but just made a “hmm” sound through his nose. He could feel the still young body beside him tremble slightly. Nana raised her head, and the fear and hatred she had when they first met were no longer in her clear eyes. Instead, there was a kind of admiration and dependence that was almost like looking at a god. This man was the devil who destroyed her country, but he was also the god who saved her from filth and pain. This contradiction eventually turned into the most complete submission. Looking at this mother and daughter who were once out of his reach, now serving him obediently, Lin Xiao’s sense of conquest reached an unprecedented peak. [Ding! Fujiwara Sakurako’s favorability +10! Current favorability: 15.] [Ding! Nana’s favorability increased by 10! Current favorability: 15.] [Ding! Agula’s favorability +5! Current favorability: 55.] A series of system prompts sounded in my mind. Lin Xiao’s heart moved, it was time to draw the lottery again. It was late at night and everyone was asleep in the bedroom. Lin Xiao dismissed everyone and his consciousness sank into his mind. “lottery.” The familiar system interface began to rotate, and a line of characters as heavy as a mountain slowly emerged. “Complete Set of Modern Basic Chemical Engineering and Fertilizer Technologies”! Lin Xiao’s breathing stopped instantly. The next second, his entire body shook violently, and an indescribable ecstasy, like a volcanic eruption, gushed out from the deepest part of his heart! The most important tool for agriculture! This is the real agricultural tool! Sanitary napkins and cameras can certainly improve people’s livelihood and win people’s hearts, but this is the real backbone of the country! A massive torrent of knowledge suddenly poured into his brain. The high pressure reaction principle of ammonia synthesis technology, the secrets of the Haber process and catalysts, the contact process of the sulfuric acid industry, the golden ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium … Countless complex chemical equations and sophisticated industrial equipment drawings intertwined and evolved in his mind, eventually forming an extremely grand blueprint. Lin Xiao closed his eyes, leaned back slightly, and an expression of extreme comfort appeared on his face. He seemed to see towering ammonia synthesis reaction towers rising from the ground, transforming the inexhaustible nitrogen in the air into a magical powder that nourishes all things. He saw that on thousands of acres of fertile land, the originally thin seedlings grew wildly under the stimulation of chemical fertilizers, and produced plump ears of grain that were bigger than fists. Famine will become a thing of the past. His population will experience explosive growth. His industry will obtain the most basic raw material support. Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils gleaming with brilliance, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise wildly, finally turning into a smug low laugh. Early the next morning. “Send the message! Summon Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin, and all the key members of the Chemistry Department of the Institute of Physical Science to see me in my study immediately!” With one command, the entire palace was in motion. Zhang Fuan, who was still struggling with a pile of gears in the workshop, heard the king’s call, dropped the wrench in his hand, and ran over. Lu Jin, who was immersed in studying silver nitrate in the laboratory, was so excited that he almost knocked over the reagent bottle. He straightened his clothes and rushed to the palace as fast as he could. They all knew that every time the king summoned them in such a solemn manner, it meant that another earth shattering divine object would be born. In the study. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others arrived breathlessly, their faces flushed and their eyes flashing with enthusiasm and anticipation. This time, however, they saw no mechanical drawings or elaborate models. Lin Xiao was seen standing in front of a huge blackboard with a pen in his hand. Everyone looked at each other, feeling a little confused. Lin Xiao turned around, his expression calm, yet with an unquestionable majesty. Without any further ado, he wrote down on the blackboard a long string of symbols that no one had ever seen before. “N? + 3H? ? 2NH?” Then, he drew a diagram of the reaction tower structure with an extremely complex structure and crisscrossing pipes. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others were all stunned. Everyone stared at the blackboard with wide eyes, as if they wanted to see through it. But what kind of heavenly book are those winding symbols? Chapter 482 Nitrogen Fertilizer Zhang Fuan scratched his head. He knew every single stroke of the characters, but when they were put together, he didn’t recognize a single word. As a top student in the Academy of Gewu, Lu Jin felt dizzy and dazzled. He felt that his knowledge of Gewu, which he was proud of, was as ridiculous as that of a three year old child in front of the king. Looking at the stunned expressions of the crowd, Lin Xiao’s lips curled up slightly. He cleared his throat and tapped the blackboard lightly with his chalk. “This is the ammonia synthesis reaction tower.” “This represents the air we breathe.” He pointed to the “N?” “And this one represents water.” He pointed to “H?” again. “Through this tower, with the help of high temperature, high pressure and catalysts, we can turn air and water into this.” His chalk landed heavily on “NH?” “This substance is called ‘ammonia’. It is the basis for the growth of all things and the food of food.” Lin Xiao’s voice was very calm, as if he was narrating something as simple as eating and drinking water. “Simply put, if we master this technology, we can turn air into food.” “boom!” In the entire study, everyone’s worldview was completely shattered at this moment. Air…turns into food? Zhang Fuan trembled all over, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. His lips trembled, his face pale. He looked at Lin Xiao with eyes filled with awe, muttering to himself: “Immortal magic… This is immortal magic… Creating things out of thin air… Your Majesty… Your Majesty, are you a god who has descended to earth?” Lu Jin was so excited that his whole body was shaking. He barely managed to stand by holding onto the table, with a complex expression on his face that was a mixture of fanaticism, confusion, and enlightenment. Turn air into food! This is creation! This is a miracle! He suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily, his voice hoarse and fanatical: “Student…student is willing to die for the king, for this great cause of creation!” Lin Xiao looked at their reactions with satisfaction. He stepped forward to help Lu Jin up, then waved to Zhang Fuan, motioning him to stand still. “It’s not a magical technique, but a study of things.” Lin Xiao’s voice carried a soothing power. “Everything has its own logic. Whether it’s air or water, they are all made up of smaller particles. All we have to do is use the method of studying things to disassemble them and then reassemble them into the form we need.” “Pass on my order!” Lin Xiao’s voice suddenly became majestic. “The Chemistry and Physics Departments of the Institute of Physics, together with all craftsmen, immediately establish the ‘Kingdom’s First Fertilizer Plant’ project team! Regardless of cost or manpower, I want to see the first batch of fertilizer produced in the shortest possible time!” “Yes, sir!” Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin and others roared in unison, their voices filled with endless energy and enthusiasm. A few weeks later, a factory building rose from the ground on the outskirts of the steel city. In the experimental workshop, a reaction tower several meters high, composed of thick steel pipes and countless valves, stands in the center. It is an experimental ammonia synthesis reaction tower built in proportion according to Lin Xiao’s drawings. Zhang Fuan was wearing a brand new work suit, his face covered in sweat from nervousness, and was leading a group of craftsmen in conducting the final inspection. Lu Jin led the students of the chemistry department to check the operation manual filled with various symbols and data over and over again. The manual had been frayed by them. Everything is ready. Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Jin took a deep breath, walked forward, and turned the main valve with force. “Buzz—” The reaction tower emitted a low roar, the connected steam engine began to generate power, and the huge pressure gauge pointer began to slowly climb upwards. Everyone held their breath and stared at the dashboards. Temperature, pressure… every fluctuation in the numbers affects their hearts. As time passed, the roar of the reaction tower became louder and louder, and the tower began to tremble slightly, as if it was a sign of something. Sudden! “Beep—beep—beep—” A sharp and piercing alarm suddenly broke the silence of the workshop! Everyone looked up suddenly and saw the pointer of a pressure gauge rushing madly towards the red danger zone! “Oh no! The pressure is out of control!” a student screamed. “Quick! Turn off the steam engine!” Zhang Fuan’s face turned pale and he shouted at the top of his lungs. But it was too late. The entire reaction tower began to shake violently, and the pipe joints made a teeth grinding “creaking” sound, and several sealed interfaces even began to “hiss” and spray out white steam. “Run!” Someone shouted, and everyone woke up as if from a dream. They were so scared that they crawled out of the workshop. Zhang Fuan was carried by two craftsmen. He looked back at the reaction tower that was about to explode. His heart sank to the bottom and his face was full of frustration and despair. Lu Jin didn’t run. He just stood there blankly, looking at the wildly jumping pointer, his eyes full of disbelief. Wrong? How could it be wrong? Every step, every detail, they had strictly followed the king’s drawings and manuals. Why did it fail? At this critical moment, a calm and steady voice sounded at the door of the chaotic workshop. “What are you panicking about?” Everyone turned around and saw Lin Xiao standing there without them noticing, with a calm expression. He walked into the workshop and, in front of everyone’s horrified gaze, went straight to the violently vibrating reaction tower. Instead of looking at the crazy gauges, he reached out and tapped gently on the hot pipe connection. “That’s the problem.” He turned around and looked at Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin, who were pale. “You’re still using ordinary metal gaskets. Under such high temperature and pressure, metal will expand and contract, creating gaps, making it impossible to achieve a complete seal. Pressure is released through these gaps.” He paused, a smile playing on his lips: “Go, replace the new rubber seal we made.” One sentence woke up the dreamer. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin suddenly realized! That’s right! Rubber! Another magical item invented by the king! Why didn’t they think of it? Under Lin Xiao’s personal command, the workers risked their lives to quickly relieve the pressure, and then deftly replaced all the metal gaskets with black, elastic rubber seals. Lin Xiao stepped forward again and adjusted the parameters of several valves. “One more time,” he said calmly. The second experiment began. This time, the roar of the reaction tower became steady and powerful, and the pointers of all pressure gauges and thermometers stopped steadily in the green safety area designated by Lin Xiao. In the workshop, you can hear a pin drop. Everyone’s eyes were focused on a tightly closed discharge port at the bottom of the reaction tower. Chapter 483 Heaven and Hell An hour later, Lin Xiao looked at the time and nodded. “Open the valve.” Lu Jin stretched out his hand tremblingly and slowly turned the valve of the discharge port. “laugh ” A strong and pungent smell instantly spread. The smell was not pleasant, but in the eyes of everyone at this moment, it was more fragrant than any spice. Then, as everyone stared in disbelief, a thin stream of snow white crystalline powder slowly flowed out from the discharge port and slowly accumulated into a small hill on the iron plate below. Done! It really worked! The air and water really turned into this magical white powder in the king’s hands! There was deathly silence in the laboratory. Lin Xiao walked forward, picked up a handful of white crystals, rubbed them gently on his fingertips, and felt the slightly cool touch. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise. “It’s done.” These two words, like thunder from the sky, exploded in everyone’s ears. “ah !” Lu Jin let out an uncontrollable roar of ecstasy. He rushed forward and looked at the pile of white powder. He was so excited that his whole body was shaking and tears were streaming down his face. However, he did not dare to reach out and touch it, fearing that it was just an illusion. “Plop!” Zhang Fuan’s knees softened and he knelt heavily on the ground. He looked at Lin Xiao’s back, at the miraculous pile of white powder, and was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He used all his strength to shout hoarsely: “Long live the king! Long live the king! Long, long live the king!!” “Long live the king!!” In the workshop, all the craftsmen and trainees were in awe at this moment. Lin Xiao immediately ordered the selection of a test field for comparative testing. Outside the county town, Wangjia Village. When several uniformed officials from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, accompanied by a team of soldiers, knocked on the gate of Wang Tiezhu’s house, the old man was squatting on the threshold, puffing on his pipe. “Mr. Wang, the king wants to requisition a piece of land from your family for experiments. Here is the document.” The leading official handed over a document politely. Wang Tiezhu was stunned for a moment, then took it and looked at it for a long time. He didn’t recognize most of the words on it, but he recognized the bright red royal seal. He quickly stood up, brushed the dirt off his butt, and felt a little flattered. “Sir, this…what good news is this? If the king wants to use our land, then go ahead and use it!” The official smiled and led him to the edge of the field. The land was still the same piece of land, the yellow soil that he had tended all his life. Officials used lime to precisely divide his largest wheat field into two halves. Then a soldier came forward carrying a cloth bag. “Mr. Wang, according to the amount in the manual, sprinkle the white powder in this bag evenly on the left half of the field. Remember, don’t let a single grain of it get on the right half.” Wang Tiezhu took the bag and felt it sink in his hand. He opened it and saw a snow white powder inside, like salt, with an indescribable strange smell. He began to have doubts in his heart. Spreading this stuff on the ground? Isn’t that ruining the crops? But this was the king’s order, and he dared not disobey. While muttering “God bless me” in his heart, he followed the official’s instructions and carefully sprinkled the white powder into the field on the left. After doing all this, he felt very nervous, thinking that the wheat seedlings on that half of the field might be in trouble. In the next few days, Wang Tiezhu went to the field several times every day, feeling extremely anxious. On the first day, nothing changed. The next day, it seemed… it seemed like the wheat seedlings on the left were a little darker in color? On the fifth day, after breakfast, Wang Tiezhu walked to the edge of the field with his hoe as usual. After just one look, he froze in place, and the hoe in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. He rubbed his presbyopic eyes vigorously, took a few steps forward, and stared at the field. That’s right! He was not seeing things! That lime line was like a dividing line, separating two completely different worlds. The wheat field on the right is still the same as before, and there will definitely be a good harvest. On the left, in the half field sprinkled with “magic powder”, all the wheat seedlings seemed to have taken a tonic pill and were growing up like crazy! Each plant was sturdy and upright, with roots as strong as scallions and thick leaves of a glossy dark green, full of vitality and strength! The entire wheat field was densely packed, growing much taller than the half on the right! “Oh my goodness…” Wang Tiezhu’s lips trembled. He stretched out his hand and tremblingly stroked the thriving wheat seedlings, feeling the vigorous vitality. His legs suddenly went weak and he knelt heavily on the edge of the field with a plop. He did not kneel on the ground, nor did he kneel to the sky, but kowtowed madly again and again towards the half green wheat field and the miraculous scene. “Miracle! Miracle!” The old man’s cries, filled with endless excitement and shock, echoed in the fields. This news spread like wildfire and spread throughout the surrounding area within a day. Countless farmers flocked from all directions, surrounding Wang Tiezhu’s experimental field. When they saw the two wheat fields, the stark contrast that seemed to be cut by a knife, they were all shocked and speechless. After a deathly silence in the crowd, a thunderous roar of discussion broke out. “Oh my god! What kind of magical soil is this?” “I heard that the king created it from air and water!” “I don’t believe it…but this…this looks too scary!” “If all this is spread, how much grain can be harvested from one acre of land?” No one can answer this question, but a raging fire called “hope” is burning in everyone’s eyes. The next day, the front page of the Zhenbei Daily published a piece of news in shocking large bold font. The King bestowed upon us the “Immortal Powder,” and a yield of 10,000 kilograms per mu is no longer a dream! Below the title is a huge photo taken with a camera. In the photo, Wang Tiezhu’s experimental field was clearly captured. On both sides of the lime line, there was heaven on one side and the world on the other. The visual impact of this photo is far more powerful than any text description. As soon as the newspaper came out, the entire Zhenbei Kingdom was in an uproar. Countless people, whether literate or not, pointed at the photo, and the expressions on their faces changed from shock to ecstasy, and finally to endless admiration for Lin Xiao. They knew that by following the king, they would never go hungry again! An era without hunger was within reach! For a time, the fertilizer plants on the outskirts of the steel city entered a crazy mass production mode. Bags of fertilizer named “Shennongdan” were loaded onto trains and transported to farms across the kingdom. At the same time, thousands of miles away in the territory of Da Zhou, the scene was like hell. Years of drought had cracked and dried the land, and then a locust plague swept in, obscuring the sky and the earth, devouring even the bark of trees and grass roots wherever they passed. The red land is thousands of miles away, and people die of hunger everywhere. Chapter 484 Taking the Capital A man named Li Wu was leaning against a barked dead tree, his eye sockets sunken and his lips cracked and bloody. He tore off a piece of bark with great effort, put it in his mouth and chewed it with difficulty. The bitter and astringent taste made him cry. Just the day before yesterday, his neighbors, a family of five, lay hand in hand in their yard and never got up again. There was no trace of smoke in the village, only a thick smell of death. But even so, the court’s taxes cannot be reduced by a single cent. Yesterday, a group of soldiers broke into the village. Like wolves, they kicked open the doors of every household. When they couldn’t find any food, they would steal the last tattered cotton jacket and even the wooden hairpin on the woman’s head. One family could not pay taxes, and the man was beaten to death on the spot. Li San hid in the haystack, looking at everything through the gap, his whole body cold. Just when he thought he would starve to death in this hopeless land like his neighbors, a fellow villager who had fled from the south brought him a piece of news. The man said that in the north, there was a country called Zhenbei. It was the territory of King Lin Xiao, where there was food everywhere. Every household could eat white flour buns and meat for every meal. “Really?” A glimmer of light appeared in Li San’s eyes for the first time. “It’s absolutely true! I saw the caravan coming over there with my own eyes. Every one of them had rosy cheeks and was eating heartily! They said their king was a god who had come down from the heavens and had magical powers that could turn air into food!” Air, turned into food? Li San didn’t understand, but he understood “white flour buns” and “meat”. At that moment, a strong desire to survive suddenly burst out from his body. He wants to survive! He wanted to survive and go to the north! To the place called Zhenbei Kingdom! He used up his last bit of strength, jumped up from the ground, and staggered towards the north. Behind him, more and more disaster victims gathered from all directions. They were ragged, pale and thin, but they were all crawling slowly towards the north, towards the legendary paradise on earth. Great Zhou, the capital. In the imperial garden, the warm breeze was gentle, the flowers were withering, and there was an air of decay. Li Yan didn’t care at all. He was looking at a newly completed wood carving in his hand with an obsessed look on his face. It was a phoenix, with intricate and lifelike wings, and every feather was carved to the smallest detail. He blew the sawdust with satisfaction, feeling happier than ever before. Is there anything more satisfying in this world than creating a perfect work of art with your own hands? “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” An anxious cry shattered the silence. Zhou Mubai staggered, practically trotting, into the Imperial Garden. His aged face was covered in sweat and anxiety, and he held a thick stack of reports in his hands. Li Yan’s brows furrowed instantly, and his happy mood disappeared. “Why are you so panicked? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Zhou Mubai knelt on the ground, raised the report high above his head, and said in a hoarse voice: “Your Majesty, urgent reports from all over the country, locust plagues are everywhere, thousands of miles of land are barren, and there are starving people everywhere! Your Majesty, please quickly open the warehouses to provide relief and save the people from the disaster!” Li Yan waved his hand impatiently, as if shooing away a fly. “It’s these unruly people again. Every year there’s a disaster, every year there’s a demand for grain. The treasury belongs to me, not them! It doesn’t matter if a few of them starve to death. It’ll just give us some peace and quiet. The treasury must never be empty.” His tone was nonchalant, as if he was saying that the weather was nice today. Zhou Mubai shuddered, a chill running through his bones. He raised his head, looking desperately at the young emperor before him, took a deep breath, and spoke with a trembling voice. “Your Majesty… and, regarding the Zhenbei Kingdom… this year, the grain harvest is plentiful, and the people are prosperous, with every household having surplus food. Now, people are saying that Lin Xiao possesses divine powers, able to turn dirt into gold and transform air into food. The hearts of the people of the Great Zhou… have already completely turned to him!” “Lin Xiao! Lin Xiao! It’s Lin Xiao again!” These two words were like a poisonous thorn, piercing Li Yan’s heart. The leisure on his face was instantly replaced by rage. He snatched the report from Zhou Mubai’s hand, without even looking at it, and threw it hard in Zhou Mubai’s face. “You bastard! As the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou, you dare to boost others’ ambitions and destroy your own prestige!” Papers were scattered all over the ground like falling leaves. Li Yan was so angry that he was shaking all over. He kicked over the wooden carving stand beside him. The wooden phoenix that he had just treasured fell to the ground with a “bang” and broke into several pieces. He pointed at Zhou Mubai, who was kneeling motionless on the ground, and roared like a madman: “Lin Xiao is just a lucky peasant! He only knows some witchcraft to deceive people! He will never amount to anything! My Great Zhou will last for thousands of years! He is nothing!” Zhou Mubai lay on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold stone. He didn’t wipe the dust from his face, nor did he look at the shattered phoenix. He simply closed his eyes. There was the emperor’s crazy roar in my ears, but there was dead silence in my heart. witchcraft? When a regime can ensure that its people have enough food and clothing and that there is no more famine in the world, even if it is witchcraft, it is the blessing that all people in the world have been looking forward to. The spine that had been straight for a lifetime completely collapsed at this moment. At the same time, in the meeting hall of the Zhenbei Kingdom Palace. The core members gathered together, everyone had rosy complexions, bright eyes, and backs straight. Song Qinghe held a report in his hand and spoke in a loud voice, filled with uncontrollable excitement: “Your Majesty! Thanks to the full promotion of ‘Shennong Pills’, the kingdom’s grain output this year, according to preliminary estimates, will be more than five times that of previous years! Enough to feed three times the current population!” “At the same time, due to the disaster in Great Zhou, the number of refugees pouring into our Northern Kingdom has surged over the past two months, exceeding five million! The kingdom’s population has exploded again, and the labor force is extremely abundant!” As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Mingde, dressed in military uniform, stepped forward. He was tall and strong, his voice was like a bell, and his eyes were burning with a raging fire of war. “Your Majesty! Our Zhenbei Army has assembled! Our new recruits have completed their training, and we have ample food and fodder, piled high like mountains! Our soldiers are highly motivated and eager to fight day and night. We implore Your Majesty to immediately order an attack on the capital and secure a peaceful and prosperous world for the people of this world!” “Your Majesty, please send troops!” “Your Majesty, please send troops!” Wang Jian, Zhang Fuan, Li Dequan…all the civil and military officials stood up at this moment and bowed deeply to Lin Xiao on the throne. The air in the entire conference room seemed to freeze, and everyone’s eyes were focused on the indifferent young man, waiting for his final decision. Lin Xiao slowly stood up. He didn’t say anything, but walked down from the throne and came to the huge military map in the center of the conference room. On that map, more than two thirds of the area has been dyed red, representing the Zhenbei Kingdom. Only a small area centered on the capital city still stubbornly retains the yellow color of the Great Zhou. Lin Xiao stretched out his finger and without any hesitation, lightly tapped the four words “Capital of Great Zhou”. He turned around and looked around at the civil and military officials he had personally trained. His voice was so calm that not a ripple could be heard, yet it was as heavy as Mount Tai, resounding in everyone’s heart. “send troops.” “Take the capital.” Chapter 485 Kaicheng Three days later, the Zhenbei Kingdom swore an oath to go to war. This was an unprecedented event. There was an endless formation of troops, with soldiers wearing uniform steel armor, holding gleaming automatic rifles, and marching in uniform steps. Behind them, rows of brand new breech loading cannons, their barrels shiny black and emitting a cold metallic luster, were pulled by huge steam tractors and slowly pushed onto the military trains that had been waiting on the side. The whistle blew long and loud, deafening. The giant steel dragon spewed thick smoke and carried this invincible army along the extensive railway network at the terrifying speed of “a thousand miles a day” straight to the heart of the Great Zhou. Along the way, those counties and prefectures of the Great Zhou Dynasty that were once as strong as a rock are now as fragile as paper. On the top of Qiangzhou City. The general defending the city was holding a telescope. When he saw the large army rolling towards the horizon and the “Zhenbei” flag fluttering in the wind, the telescope in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. “Open…open the city gate…” His lips trembled and his face was ashen. Resist? How? The city gate slowly opened, and the defenders threw down their weapons and knelt on both sides of the road, not daring to even raise their heads. After a brief moment of shock, the people in the city burst into thunderous cheers. They brought their elderly and children, brought out the only food and water they had from their homes, placed them on the roadside, and lined the streets to welcome them with food and drink. “Welcome the Royal Master!” “Welcome the Royal Master to enforce justice on behalf of Heaven!” The eyes of these former citizens of the Great Zhou Dynasty looking at the Zhenbei Army were full of hope and relief. The same scene was repeated in every city leading to the capital. The Zhenbei Army won the battle without bloodshed and was invincible. In less than half a month, the “Zhenbei” royal flag embroidered with a tiger was already planted outside the capital. The enemy is at the gate. Capital city, imperial palace. Inside Li Yan’s bedroom, he clutched his ears tightly. The faint roar from outside the city was like a massive hammer, hammering down on his heart. It was the sound of artillery test firing. Occasionally, a sharp, high pitched whistle would pierce the palace walls, sending shivers through his body. He no longer had the rage and arrogance of the past, only the fear that ran deep in his bones remained. He locked himself in his bedroom, surrounded by various carpentry tools and a mess of sawdust. He was lying on a huge, unfinished wooden turtle shell, his hands covered in blood, and he was frantically carving the patterns on it with a carving knife. “It’s almost done… it’s almost done… My Black Tortoise Armor is almost finished…” He muttered to himself, his eyes unfocused and his expression frantic. “Once I hide inside, no one can hurt me! Lin Xiao can’t hurt me, and neither can those unruly people!” “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something bad has happened!” The palace door was slammed, and the voice of an old eunuch came in with a crying tone. “Get out! Don’t bother me anymore!” Li Yan screamed and threw a chisel towards the palace door. “Your Majesty! The city defense troops… the city defense troops have mutinied! They’ve opened the Desheng Gate and are welcoming… welcoming the Zhenbei Army into the city!” “ah !” Li Yan’s movements suddenly froze, and then he let out a scream that was not like a human voice. The carving knife in his hand fell to the ground with a clang, and he collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the funny wooden turtle. He completely broke down. He cried and laughed at times, pointing at the empty front and cursing, calling Lin Xiao a monster, Zhou Mubai a traitor, and all the civil and military officials in the court useless. Finally, he used his hands and feet to crawl towards the wooden turtle, and squeezed in awkwardly, mumbling incoherent nonsense that no one could understand. Taimiao. The incense had long ceased to burn, and thick dust covered the tablets of past emperors, making the place look lifeless. Zhou Mubai, wearing a brand new, neat crimson prime minister’s court robe, walked up the stairs step by step. His gray hair was combed meticulously, and there was no despair on his old face, only a calmness that seemed to have settled. He walked around rows of cold tablets, which were the ancestral tablets of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He did not burn incense, but just watched quietly. Finally, he let out a long sigh. That sigh seemed to express all the loyalty, all the struggle, and all the unwillingness of the past sixty years. He took out a suicide note that he had already written from his sleeve and spread it out in front of him. “The fate of the Great Zhou has come to an end. It is not the fault of war, but the will of heaven…” He muttered in a hoarse and calm voice. “King Lin Xiao of Zhenbei has the ability to bring peace to the world and reassure the people. This is destiny. Your servant, Zhou Mubai, is powerless to change the situation. I can only die to apologize to the late emperor.” After saying this, he folded the suicide note neatly and placed it on the incense table in front of the tablet. Then he slowly stood up, kicked the mat away from his feet, and draped a white silk cloth over the beam. He took a last look at the gray sky outside the temple and closed his eyes. Hanging from the beam with your feet off the ground. The old prime minister who devoted his entire life to the Great Zhou finally stopped breathing. Cold Palace. The deafening noise outside was only a vague echo here. Liu Weilan sat in front of the dressing table with a calm expression. Because Lin Xiao’s army was approaching, Li Yan, who was angry with her, once again banished her to this familiar place. But this time, there was no resentment in her heart, but instead a hint of expectation. She carefully took out a small photo from the brocade bag she kept close to her body. In the photo, she is wearing a gorgeous phoenix robe, looking extremely graceful and elegant. She stretched out her slender fingers and gently stroked the vague reflection of the man in the photo, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her mouth. He finally came. She knew he was coming. Deshengmen Gate was wide open. Lin Xiao rode the Black Panther and slowly drove into the capital. The black panther is huge in size, with shiny black fur and steady steps, each step being on the central axis of the capital. Lin Xiao was dressed in a dark suit, his face was calm and his eyes were deep, as if he was not here to attack the city, but to keep a date that had been arranged long ago. Behind him, Sun Mingde, Wang Jian, Agula and other generals rode tall horses and surrounded him. Agula changed into a tight leather armor, looking heroic, holding her beloved custom made musket tightly in her hand, and her beautiful eyes never left the back of the man in front of her. Further behind was the overwhelming formation of the Zhenbei Army. The soldiers were well equipped, had strict military discipline, and their footsteps were uniform, creating a suffocating sense of oppression. The streets were crowded with people from the capital. They looked at this legendary army and the legendary King of Zhenbei. After a brief silence, they broke out into unprecedented, deafening cheers. “Long live the King’s Master!” “Welcome Prince Lin to the capital!” Countless people fell to their knees with tears in their eyes. They were not welcoming a conqueror, but a savior who would save them from hunger, tyranny and despair. Lin Xiao’s eyes swept across the excited crowd, his face still calm. He did not stay in the city, but headed straight towards the palace with a team of personal soldiers. Chapter 486 On the Phoenix Couch There was dead silence in the palace. The tall palace gate was open. The guards had already thrown away their armor and weapons, piled them on both sides, and knelt on the ground with their heads buried deeply, not daring to move at all. Lin Xiao rode the Black Panther and arrived directly in front of the Yangxin Palace without any obstructions. He got off the leopard and handed the reins to Sun Mingde. “Hold this place.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” Sun Mingde and others responded in unison. Lin Xiao walked towards the closed palace door alone. “Bump it open.” He ordered calmly. Two bodyguards stepped forward and kicked him. “Boom!” The palace door with carvings of dragons and paintings of phoenixes opened in response. The scene in the hall stunned everyone. In the center of the hall stood a huge wooden tortoise shell. A foul odor emanated from within. Li Yan was curled up in the turtle shell, his body covered with filth and shaking like a sieve. When he saw Lin Xiao at the door, he was so scared that he screamed “Ah” and tried desperately to retract his head into the shell. A trace of undisguised contempt flashed across Lin Xiao’s eyes. He didn’t even bother to take a second look. “Drag him out.” Two soldiers stepped forward and, ignoring Li Yan’s cries and struggles, roughly pulled him out of that ridiculous tortoise shell, like dragging a dead dog. “Demote him to commoner status, throw him into prison, and keep him under strict guard.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm. After dealing with all this, he turned around, gave a few instructions to Sun Mingde and others behind him, and then walked towards the cold palace alone. There, there was someone who had been waiting for him. The door hinges of the cold palace made a teeth grinding creaking sound when Lin Xiao gently pushed them, raising a cloud of fine dust. The sun shines into this forgotten courtyard, and the air is filled with the scent of decay and loneliness. In the center of the courtyard, under the old locust tree, stood a figure. Liu Weilan was wearing a plain palace dress that was washed to a pale color, and her long hair was tied up with only a simple wooden hairpin. But even so, it is difficult to conceal the nobility and elegance that is ingrained in her bones. Against the backdrop of this dilapidated environment, she appears even more elegant and refined, like a snow lotus isolated from the world. She heard the noise and turned around slowly. Their eyes met. Time seemed to stand still at this moment. There was no surprise or panic as imagined. Liu Weilan just looked at him quietly, looking at this man who stirred up the world and finally arrived as promised. Her eyes gradually turned red, and the moisture quickly gathered and condensed into tears. Too many complicated emotions were surging in those once graceful and elegant phoenix eyes. There was the grievance of being imprisoned here, the longing that tormented him day and night, and the relief that finally settled, but in the end, all of this melted away, turning into an endless attachment that could melt even steel. She could no longer control herself, lifted her skirt, and ran towards Lin Xiao quickly. In the last few steps, she almost threw herself into Lin Xiao’s arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and buried her face deeply in his solid chest, as if she wanted to use all her strength to completely integrate herself into his body and never separate again. The familiar masculine scent enveloped her, causing her nerves, which had been tense for countless days and nights, to completely relax at this moment. Lin Xiao felt the violent trembling of the delicate body in his arms. He raised his hands, gently hugged her, and stroked her soft long hair again and again. “I’m here to pick you up.” His voice was low, but it carried a reassuring power and clearly reached Liu Weilan’s ears. “Um……” Liu Weilan nodded heavily in his arms, and the tears that had been suppressed for a long time finally broke out and she burst into tears. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything else, just hugged her quietly, letting her tears soak his clothes. He knew that she needed to vent all the grievances and fears she had felt in the past few days. After a long time, the crying in my arms gradually subsided, leaving only slight sobs. Lin Xiao let go of her slightly, looked down at her beautiful face with tears in her eyes, and reached out to wipe away her tears. Then, he bent down and picked her up by the waist as Liu Weilan let out a soft cry. He held her in his arms, turned around and walked out of the cold palace. With steady steps, he stepped on the central axis of the palace, and walked straight towards the palace that symbolized the highest power of the Queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty Fengyi Palace. The palace maids and guards along the way had already knelt on the ground, with their heads buried low, not even daring to breathe. Fengyi Palace is still as luxurious as I remember. The beams and pillars are made of golden nanmu, the candles are made of mermaid tears, and the floor is covered with thick Western carpets. Everything here still remains the same as when the hostess left, except that it lacks the crowds and seems a little empty. Lin Xiao held Liu Weilan in his arms, walked through the main hall, and went straight into the bedroom, where he gently placed her on the large and gorgeous phoenix couch. On the couch, the bright yellow brocade quilt was embroidered with a pattern of birds paying homage to the phoenix, which looked lifelike. Liu Weilan lay on the couch, her cheeks still stained with tears and a seductive blush. She stared at Lin Xiao infatuatedly, her eyes full of watery waves and natural charm. Under Lin Xiao’s gaze, she slowly sat up and took off the plain palace dress that symbolized humiliation and waiting. Then, she walked to the clothes rack and took down a bright red phoenix robe that she had only worn once at the enthronement ceremony. Intricate golden threads were embroidered on the bright red satin to create a phoenix with its wings spread out, ready to fly. The hem of the dress dragged on the ground, looking extremely gorgeous. When she put on the phoenix robe and stood in front of Lin Xiao again, she seemed to come alive in an instant. The coldness and simplicity have faded, replaced by the ultimate beauty and charm. Every frown and smile is enough to captivate the whole country. She walked back to the couch step by step, looked at the man in front of her with a dazed look, stood on tiptoe and offered her red lips. Lin Xiao leaned over and responded to her enthusiasm. In this palace that symbolizes the highest female power of the old dynasty, on this phoenix bed that symbolizes the mother of the country, he completely possessed the queen of the former dynasty. The phoenix bed swayed violently, and the sound it made echoed in the empty bedroom, bringing boundless spring scenery. The pleasure of conquering the world and the pleasure of conquering the most noble woman in the world intertwined and merged at this moment, reaching their peak at the same time. After a long time, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped. Liu Weilan lay lazily on Lin Xiao’s chest, her long black hair disheveled, her beautiful face filled with unprecedented satisfaction and blush, and she had fallen into a deep sleep. Lin Xiao gently stroked her smooth back, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, and his heart was filled with comfort. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability: 54+46, current favorability: 100 (Devoted and Absolutely Loyal)!] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the special mission: The Queen’s Conquest!] [Ding! Receive a special reward lottery draw!] Lin Xiao’s breathing stagnated slightly, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. Special rewards! This is an unprecedented treatment and must be extraordinary! Chapter 487: Kaiyuan Prosperity Lin Xiao was ecstatic and without hesitation, he immediately chanted in his mind: “Draw a prize!” In an instant, the familiar system interface appeared in his mind, but this time, the rotating wheel burst out with unprecedented colorful light, so brilliant and dazzling that it almost pierced his consciousness. The light spun wildly and finally came to a slow stop. All the brilliance was gathered together and condensed into a book that exuded a sacred aura. On the cover of the book, a line of large gold plated characters slowly emerged: “Penicillin purification and mass production technology”! Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly contracted, his heart skipped a beat, and an indescribable ecstasy instantly swept through his body! penicillin! This is a real miracle drug! It’s something that can save countless people from the hands of death! The next second, without giving him any time to react, the book exploded and turned into a massive torrent of knowledge that rushed into his mind frantically. Screening and cultivation of Penicillium, the structural principles and temperature control systems of fermentation tanks, the chemical process of solvent extraction, the application of centrifuges, chromatography separation technology, and the construction standards of sterile production lines… From the most basic microbial theory to the most advanced industrial mass production technology, everything was clearly imprinted in his mind. “Well……” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan, his whole body felt so comfortable that he almost trembled. He saw that on the battlefield, countless soldiers who were injured by sharp weapons and could only die of infection in pain were given new life because of a small injection. He saw that among the people, the average life expectancy of those who were desperately waiting to die due to postpartum infections, pneumonia, or even minor wounds would see a qualitative leap. He saw that a vast empire that was healthier, more powerful, and with a population explosion was rising in his hands! Lin Xiao opened his eyes, desire and passion intertwined in his eyes. He lowered his head and looked at Liu Weilan, who was sleeping peacefully in his arms with a faint smile on her lips. He couldn’t help but give her a deep kiss on her smooth forehead. This world is finally his. The Great Zhou Dynasty fell. This news was like a gust of wind, blowing through the streets and alleys of the capital, but it did not cause much waves. Instead, it seemed to blow away the haze that had shrouded this ancient capital for many years. Imperial Palace, Throne Room. Lin Xiao summoned all the core civil and military officials to discuss the name of the country. “The Great Zhou has run its course and is utterly corrupt. It must be abandoned.” Song Qinghe spoke first, his expression solemn. “Your Majesty, accepting the will of Heaven and the will of the people, should establish a new dynasty and usher in eternal peace!” Everyone agreed. Lin Xiao looked at the enthusiasm and trust that came from the bottom of their hearts on the faces of His Highness and the others, and his heart was filled with pride. “We come from China. Our roots are in China.” Lin Xiao’s voice echoed clearly and firmly in the empty hall. “From today on, our country’s name will be ‘Hua’. May our Hua Dynasty shine throughout the world and prosper forever!” “magnificent!” “Hua Chao!” Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others chewed on this word, and their eyes suddenly burst into brilliant light. “Long live our emperor!” Everyone knelt down together, cheering like the mountains and the sea, shaking the sky. Three days later, the coronation ceremony was held grandly in the Golden Palace. Lin Xiao, wearing a black robe with twelve dragon patterns and a crown with twelve tassels on his head, stepped up the ninety nine white marble steps step by step, and finally sat on the dragon throne that symbolized supreme power. The sunlight shone through the temple door onto him, making him look like a god. “By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: I, believing that Heaven will bless China, and in accordance with the will of the people, will reform the old ways and establish the new. I now name the country ‘Hua’ and change the era name to ‘Kaiyuan’. I personally attend to all affairs, and will bring peace and prosperity to the land and rivers, and the four corners of the country will come to pay tribute. This is promulgated throughout the land, and all shall be informed.” Song Qinghe stood at the foot of the imperial throne and read the first edict in his voice trembling slightly with excitement. “Long live our emperor!” Civil and military officials and guards inside and outside the hall knelt again, their voices filled with infinite longing for a brand new era. The enthronement ceremony then began. “Appoint Liu Weilan as the Imperial Consort…” When Song Qinghe read out this title, all the civil and military officials in the court, especially those former ministers, were shocked. Imperial Concubine. Not an empress, nor an ordinary concubine. This position is extremely exquisite. It not only acknowledged her former nobility, but also clarified her current identity. More importantly, it left the position of queen vacant for the time being, sending a clear signal to everyone in the new dynasty, everything is a new beginning. Liu Weilan walked forward gracefully, wearing a gorgeous dress second only to the one worn by the queen. She looked at the man on the dragon throne who had changed her life with a complicated look in her eyes. There is gratitude, attachment, and even more, the relief of completely letting go of the past. She bowed gracefully, her voice clear but with a slight nasal tone that no one noticed. “Your Majesty, thank you for your grace.” This time, she was bidding farewell to the Queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty named Liu Weilan; and was welcoming the imperial concubine belonging to Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao’s eyes were gentle and he nodded slightly. “Confer the title of Consort Tong on Yan Ruotong, and the title of Consort Xi on Yan Ruoxi…” “Appoint Liu Ruyan as Consort Xian…” “Appoint Tuya as Consort Ning…” “Akula is enthroned as the Martial Consort…” With one reward after another, Lin Xiao’s harem was established. The women came forward one by one to express their gratitude, their faces filled with genuine joy and pride. They are the women who accompanied him from one village to the top of the world, and they deserve this honor. After enthroning the harem, it was time to go to the court. “I am a man of virtue and have relied on the advice of all you ministers. Now that I have ascended the throne and the world is just beginning to settle down, I need pillars of talent.” Lin Xiao’s voice became solemn. “Song Qinghe!” “I’m here!” Song Qinghe stepped out, his old face flushed red. “I appoint you as the Chief Minister of the Hua Dynasty Cabinet, in charge of all officials and assisting me!” “I… obey your order! I will devote myself to the Hua Dynasty and Your Majesty until my death!” Song Qinghe choked with sobs and kowtowed heavily. “Li Dequan!” “The old minister is here!” Li Dequan was so excited that his beard was shaking. “I appoint you as the Minister of Civil Affairs, in charge of household registration, people’s livelihood, and education. Whether my people can have enough food and clothing, and whether they can read and write, depends on you!” “Your Majesty, rest assured!” Li Dequan knocked his head against the gold brick, making a loud bang. “This old minister’s life is lived for the people!” “Zhang Fuan!” “Your Majesty…Your Majesty is here!” Zhang Fuan was startled and almost walked out in panic, which caused Sun Mingde beside him to laugh softly. “I appoint you as the Minister of Works, in charge of all construction, workshops, military equipment, and transportation. I want a world where roads are smooth and everyone has work to do!” Zhang Fuan was so excited that he was speechless. He just knelt on the ground and kowtowed vigorously, muttering, “Your Majesty, just wait and see! I will definitely create more and more powerful treasures for our Hua Dynasty!” “Sun Mingde!” “I am here!” Sun Mingde grinned and stepped out of the line with a voice like a bell. “I appoint you as the Minister of War, commanding all the troops in the world! Guard the borders of our Hua Dynasty and expand our territory!” “Hahaha! Thank you, Your Majesty! My sword is your Majesty’s sword! Wherever Your Majesty points, I will chop!” Wang Jian, Lu Jin… familiar names were called out one by one and each returned to their respective positions. A new and vibrant court was thus formed. Chapter 488 Antibiotics After the ceremony, Lin Xiao did not slack off at all and immediately convened the first formal court meeting. He stood in front of a huge map of the entire Hua Dynasty with a solemn expression. “Convey my will!” All the ministers held their breath, knowing that the first fire of the Kaiyuan Prosperity was about to begin. “First, using the original Zhenbei system as a model, remeasure the land and verify the population across the country. Ensure that every inch of land is registered to each household and distributed to the people!” “Second, use work for relief to develop water conservancy projects! Clear the Yellow River and Yangtze River, build reservoirs and dams. I want this world to be free of flooding worries!” “Third, promote new agricultural tools and ‘fairy powder’. Establish agricultural science stations in various locations to provide guidance on farming. I want the people of the Hua Dynasty to have full granaries and no more famine!” “Fourth, universal education! Schools must be established in every county and township, so that everyone, regardless of gender, rich or poor, can have the opportunity to learn to read and write! When people’s wisdom is awakened, the country will prosper!” One after another, earth shattering decrees were issued from the imperial palace and spread to every corner of the Hua Dynasty at the fastest speed through the newly established postal system and newspapers. At first, the people of the world were confused. They had experienced too much exploitation and seen too many lies from the government, and they were deeply skeptical of the new court’s “people friendly” policies. However, when teams of officials in uniform and carrying sophisticated measuring instruments actually walked into the fields, politely redivided the land for them, and issued land deeds with brand new official seals, they believed it. When bags of fertilizer called “fairy powder” were really delivered to them for free, and they saw the crops in the fields growing at a speed visible to the naked eye, they believed it. When bright and clean schools were built, and their children, and even they themselves, were able to go to school and learn to write their own names stroke by stroke, they believed it completely and fanatically! Li Wu, a disaster victim who once struggled to survive the drought, has now been allocated five acres of fertile land. He stood on the edge of the field, looking at the half man high wheat seedlings in his own field, and then at the bustling scene at the reservoir construction site in the next village. This seven foot tall man cried like a child. He returned to his newly assigned thatched hut and solemnly pulled out a copy of the Huachao Daily from his pocket. On the front page of the newspaper was a portrait of Lin Xiao at the coronation ceremony. Li Wu couldn’t read, but he recognized the face. He carefully pasted the newspaper on the most conspicuous place on the wall, then pulled his wife and children to kneel on the ground and kowtowed three times respectfully. “This is a god, a living Bodhisattva! He gave us a way to survive!” This scene happened in thousands of households across the vast land of Huachao. Countless people spontaneously worshipped Lin Xiao’s portrait, burning incense in the morning and evening, more pious than worshipping their own ancestors. In their hearts, the young Emperor Kaiyuan was no longer a mortal, but a true god who came to the world to save the people. The people’s will converged into a river, and eventually became the most indestructible cornerstone supporting this new dynasty. An unprecedented great era has thus begun. Imperial Palace, Imperial Study. The sandalwood incense was curling in the air. Lin Xiao finished reviewing the last memorial about the water conservancy project and gently put down his red brush. “Tell Li Dequan and the head of the medical school, He Yuan, to come see me.” Li Dequan is now the Minister of Civil Affairs, and He Yuan, a famous medical expert in the capital during the Great Zhou Dynasty, is now entrusted with an important task by Lin Xiao and is in charge of the newly established Huachao Medical College, responsible for organizing medical records and training new doctors. Soon, Li Dequan and He Yuan arrived in a hurry. “Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor.” The two men bowed together. “No need to formality, please take a seat.” Lin Xiao raised his hand. The two sat down as they were told, both feeling a little curious. Your Majesty is busy with many affairs every day. Why did you summon these two people alone at this time? Lin Xiao didn’t beat around the bush. He directly took out a few drawings that had been prepared long ago from the dragon table and spread them out in front of the two of them. “Look at this.” Li Dequan and He Yuan came forward and took a look, then they were both stunned. What was drawn on the drawing was something that had never been seen or heard of before. There were some round and flat glass plates, some strangely shaped bottles and jars, and a strange iron can that looked like an alchemy furnace but was covered with various pipes and valves. What made their scalps tingle even more were the rows of scribbles of symbols written next to them, such as “C??H??N?O?S” and “microbial culture”, which made them dizzy. Li Dequan was fine. He had been with Lin Xiao for a long time and had seen at least eighty drawings of magical objects. He had already developed a big heart. Although he couldn’t understand it, he knew that this must be another earth shattering good thing. He Yuan, who was standing aside, was completely stunned. His eyes were fixed on a drawing of Streptomyces hyphae and a petri dish. This was even more subversive to his understanding than the “little bug” he saw in the classroom last time. Lin Xiao cleared his throat, walked to the drawing, and pointed to the picture of Penicillium with a thin wooden pole. “Uncle Dequan, He Yuanzheng, do you remember those ‘little bugs’ in the water that I showed you before?” The two of them were shocked and nodded immediately. They would never forget the shock that day brought to their worldview. “I’ve said before that those things are the source of all diseases. People get sick, and wounds ooze pus and rot. Often, it’s because of these invisible things at work. I call them bacterial infections.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting He Yuan’s heart. Bacterial infection! This word accurately summarizes the symptoms he has seen countless times in his decades of medical practice, but has never been able to be perfectly explained by theories such as “evil qi” and “dampness and poison”. “And the thing in this picture,” Lin Xiao moved the wooden pole to the petri dish next to him, “is called Penicillium. It’s a very common mold. It can produce a magical substance. This substance is the natural enemy of those ‘little bugs’ and is their nemesis!” He paused, looked around at the shocked expressions of the two people, and threw out a brand new vocabulary word by word. “I call it antibiotics.” antibiotic! He Yuan’s head buzzed, as if struck by a bolt of thunder from the sky. Throughout his medical practice, he emphasized the principles of monarch, minister, assistant and guiding herbs, using the “bias” of a certain herb to correct the “bias” of the human body, and emphasized balance. But the “antibiotics” your majesty is talking about aren’t for balance, but… for complete eradication! They’re meant to directly target the source of the disease and eliminate it! This… this is no longer a medical skill, this is a divine skill! Chapter 489 Conquer Although Li Dequan was confused, he understood the most crucial sentence this thing can kill the “little bugs” that make people sick! A scorching light suddenly burst out from his cloudy old eyes. “And these drawings,” Lin Xiao’s wooden rod traced across the complex flow charts and equipment diagrams, “are the methods for extracting this magical substance from Penicillium and producing it in large quantities.” He looked at He Yuan, who had stood up, bent over, and almost put his face on the drawing, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly. “He Yuanzheng, think about it. If our soldiers no longer died from wounds rotting on the battlefield, if women no longer died twice from childbirth due to puerperal fever, if a child with pneumonia and coughing up blood could survive with just a single shot… what kind of world would that be?” He Yuan’s whole body began to tremble violently. He was not afraid, but excited! Tears streamed down his wrinkled face and his lips trembled, but he couldn’t utter a word. The scene Lin Xiao described was a medical heyday that doctors like him could never even dream of in their lifetime! It was a true paradise on earth! “thump!” He Yuan knelt heavily on the ground, prostrating himself before Lin Xiao and the drawings scattered all over the floor. “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is a deity descended from heaven! This… This is a blessing for all the people, a blessing for all mankind! I, your humble servant… I, your humble servant, am willing to sacrifice my life for Your Majesty and for this great cause of pharmaceutical manufacturing!” Li Dequan also reacted and knelt down, his face flushed with excitement. “Your Majesty! Just tell me what you want us to do! Money and labor will be given to you! We will sell everything we have to get this miracle drug!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction and helped the two of them up. He turned around and sat back on the dragon throne. His expression became solemn and an imperial majesty emerged spontaneously. “Convey my will!” Li Dequan and He Yuan immediately stood at attention with their hands down, holding their breath. “From now on, the ‘Imperial Pharmaceutical Factory’ will be established in the suburbs of Beijing!” “Order the Minister of Works, Zhang Fuan, to immediately survey the factory site, mobilize skilled craftsmen, and construct the factory buildings and the necessary equipment according to the blueprints! The required funds will be allocated directly from the national treasury without any constraints!” “All key personnel in the Biology and Chemistry departments of the Institute of Physics, immediately put aside all current matters and devote all your energy to this research!” “Ming Heyuan, you, personally take charge and take charge of the overall situation! I want you to produce the first… penicillin for me and the Hua Dynasty in the shortest possible time!” “My lord, I obey the order!” Li Dequan and He Yuan responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the imperial study, carrying with them a determination and enthusiasm to create history. They knew that they were witnessing a great moment that would change the history of the human race. Research and development work immediately began in full swing. Under Lin Xiao’s guidance, He Yuan brought a group of the best students from the medical school and began the initial experiment in a heavily guarded courtyard on the outskirts of the city. Following Lin Xiao’s instructions, they carefully scraped off the green mold from the moldy orange peel and inoculated it into the “culture medium” made from rice soup and meat broth. However, things did not go smoothly from the beginning. Penicillium has an extremely demanding growth environment. If the temperature is not right, the mold will not grow at all. Or other “bacteria” in the air were mixed in, and the entire pot of culture medium grew colorful bacteria and emitted a foul odor, so it had to be thrown away. For more than half a month, hundreds of experiments were conducted, all ending in failure. Not to mention purifying the legendary “penicillin”, they couldn’t even produce a pot of qualified, pure Penicillium culture fluid. He Yuan was so anxious that his mouth was full of blisters and several of his hairs turned white. He knelt in the empty laboratory with a group of dejected students, feeling ashamed to face the heavy trust placed in him by His Majesty. Just when everyone was at a loss, Lin Xiao arrived. He looked at the failed petri dishes and the frustrated faces of the people, without a trace of blame on his face. “If you want to do your work well, you must first sharpen your tools.” Lin Xiao walked to a laboratory table, picked up a brush, and quickly sketched on a piece of white paper. “We need a completely sterile culture environment.” He explained as he drew. “Go to the glass factory and ask them to make me a batch of these flat glass dishes with lids according to this drawing.” The drawing shows the most common culture dish in modern microbiology laboratories. He Yuan and others’ eyes lit up instantly when they saw the simple and ingenious design. Why didn’t they think of using a lid to isolate the air? “And this.” Lin Xiao drew another more complex diagram. “Mold growth requires a constant temperature. Use a steam engine to provide the heat source. Build a double layer iron tank like this, with hot water running through the middle. Then install a valve and a thermometer. This is called a constant temperature fermentation tank.” Looking at the blueprint of the fermentation tank that utilized the Institute’s latest technologies such as steam, pipes, and valves, He Yuan and his students were completely speechless. What seemed like an insurmountable problem to them was easily solved by Your Majesty with just a few drawings and a few words. This is no longer the wisdom of ordinary people. This is the enlightenment of the gods. “Everyone, get up.” Lin Xiao looked at the people kneeling on the ground and said calmly, “I am waiting for your good news.” “Yes! Your Majesty!” He Yuan raised his head, and the fire in his old eyes rekindled. He led everyone to kowtow heavily to Lin Xiao’s departing back. This time, they are confident that they can create a life saving miracle medicine for His Majesty and the people of the world! With the drawings and new ideas provided by Lin Xiao, the research and development work of the Royal Pharmaceutical Factory seemed to be put on wheels and advanced by leaps and bounds. The glass factory worked overtime to produce batches of transparent flat glass plates with lids. When these objects, named “petri dishes” by His Majesty, were handed to He Yuan, everyone was impressed by the exquisite design. Once the lid is closed, the ubiquitous bacteria in the air are isolated, and the problem of the culture medium often stinking and growing hair is instantly solved by 90%. The “constant temperature fermentation tank” built by the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry was an eye opener for He Yuan and a group of students. The heat from the steam engine circulates back and forth in the interlayer of the double layer iron tank through pipes. The thin glass tube inserted in the mercury on the tank body the “thermometer” accurately displays the internal temperature. Just turn the valve gently to control the heat as you like. This isn’t just making medicine, this is simply a god refining elixir! The difficult problems that once troubled everyone and left them at a loss were resolved so easily under your Majesty’s guidance. The morale of the entire R&D team was at an unprecedented high. Everyone was full of energy and worked in the laboratory day and night. A few weeks later, on a sweltering afternoon. After a series of dizzyingly complicated steps including fermentation, filtration, and extraction, He Yuan personally operated the last glass instrument. When the pale yellow liquid slowly evaporates at low temperature, a layer of pale yellow powdery crystals finally appears at the bottom of the container. Chapter 489 The Birth of Miracle Medicine You could hear a pin drop in the entire laboratory. Everyone held their breath and stared at the hard earned powder. “This… this is… penicillin?” A young student’s voice trembled and he cried. He Yuan didn’t answer. He stretched out his wrinkled, slightly trembling hand, carefully picked up a speck of powder with a silver needle, and brought it to his nose to sniff. An indescribable, unique medicinal smell penetrated into the nose. He closed his eyes, and the turbid old tears finally could not be held back and rolled down the grooves on his cheeks. Done! The miracle medicine that Your Majesty mentioned was actually created by mortals like them! “Hurry! Go to the military hospital!” He Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse but full of strength, “Call the best pharmacists to me and prepare to dissolve the medicine!” In an intensive care unit of the Huachao Military Hospital, there was a disgusting smell of a mixture of rottenness and herbs. A young soldier named Wang Erniu was lying on the bed with chapped lips and eyes closed, in a deep coma. He was shot in the calf by a stray arrow during the battle to wipe out the remaining forces of the Great Zhou a few days ago. The wound was not big, but in this kind of weather, it quickly festered. Now, his whole leg was swollen like a steamed bun, he had a fever and was talking nonsense, and it seemed that he was about to die. Several military doctors gathered around the bed, helpless. They could only wipe his body with strong liquor over and over again, hoping to lower his temperature a little, but with little effect. “Dean He is here!” A report came from outside the door. The military doctors in the room were cheered up and quickly stood up to greet them. He Yuan came in with a few students, carefully holding a small porcelain bottle in a brocade box. “Get out of the way.” He Yuan’s voice left no room for doubt. He walked to the bedside, looked at Wang Erniu who was barely breathing, and nodded to the students behind him. The student immediately stepped forward, skillfully opened the brocade box, and used a peculiarly shaped glass tube a “syringe” to extract the clear liquid medicine from the porcelain bottle. The military doctors around were stunned. They had never heard of this operation. “Director He, this… is this even possible?” a young military doctor couldn’t help but whisper, “Injecting it directly into the bloodstream like this, what if…” “There’s no such thing as an emergency.” He Yuan interrupted him, his eyes burning, “This is the will of His Majesty.” The word “Your Majesty” seemed to carry infinite magic power, instantly dispelling all doubts. He Yuan personally rolled up the soldier’s sleeve and steadily inserted the sharp needle into the vein of his arm. The light yellow liquid was slowly pushed in. After doing all this, He Yuan seemed to have been drained of all his strength, but he did not leave. He just moved a stool, sat beside the bed, and stared at Wang Erniu. The elites of the entire medical school and the backbone of the military hospital surrounded a dying soldier and began an all night wait. Time passes by every second. It was late at night, and Wang Erniu’s breathing was still weak, his high fever did not subside, and he would occasionally twitch. Several military doctors could no longer bear it and took a nap leaning against the wall. Only He Yuan and his students had red eyes from staying up late, but they were still in high spirits. Every once incense stick of time, they would come forward to take the pulse and touch the forehead. At dawn, the first rays of morning light shone through the window lattice, illuminating the dust inside the house. “Water…water…” A weak, hoarse voice suddenly sounded in the silent ward. He Yuan, who was almost falling asleep, suddenly started and rushed to the bed. I saw that Wang Erniu had opened his eyes at some point. Although his eyes were still a little dazed, he was clearly conscious. “Quick! Bring some water!” He Yuan was so excited that his voice changed. A student hurriedly brought warm water and carefully fed it into Wang Erniu’s mouth with a spoon. He Yuan stretched out his hand tremblingly and placed it on Wang Erniu’s forehead. The scorching temperature subsided! He flung open the quilt again and tore open the linen wrapped around his injured leg. The strong stench dissipated a lot, and the area around the wound, which was originally red, swollen and purple, miraculously began to swell and the pus decreased. “God bless our Hua Dynasty! Your Majesty, be mighty! Be mighty!” He Yuan could no longer hold it in. The elderly man, who was over 70 years old, burst into tears in front of everyone, crying like a child. The other doctors and students also reacted, and the entire ward was instantly flooded with great ecstasy. They gathered around the bed, looking at the soldier who had miraculously survived, and then at the small porcelain vase on the table, their eyes filled with shock and fanaticism. Elixir! This must be the elixir made by Taishang Laojun! The news spread back to the palace as if it had wings. In the imperial study, Li Dequan froze after listening to the report from the guards sent to the military hospital. The muscles on his weather beaten face twitched constantly and he opened his mouth several times, but no word came out. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh, making a loud noise. “Oh my dear mother!” With a “thump”, the newly appointed Minister of Civil Affairs, a senior official of the Hua Dynasty, knelt straight on the ground, kowtowed and shouted to Lin Xiao who was sitting on the dragon throne. “Holy Emperor! You are the Holy Emperor! With this miraculous medicine, how many good men will be spared from the deaths of our Hua Dynasty soldiers! And how many more lives will be saved for our Hua Dynasty people! This is an eternal merit, a blessing that will last for generations!” He was so excited that he was incoherent, with tears and snot all over his face, but he didn’t care. What he thought of were those fellow villagers who lost their lives due to minor injuries, and those women who died twice because of “evil spirits” during childbirth. Now, all this is in the past. Lin Xiao accepted his bow calmly, feeling relieved. He ordered the Royal Pharmaceutical Factory to expand its scale immediately and operate 24 hours a day to produce penicillin. The first batch of medicines will be supplied first to the entire army and central hospitals across the country. The Huachao Daily was reprinted overnight, and the front page headline used the most eye catching headline to publish this event that was worthy of being recorded in history “Penicillin, the miracle drug from heaven, the grace of the Holy Emperor to save the people!” The report described in detail how the soldier was rescued from the brink of death, with photos of military doctors crying with joy and close ups of penicillin powder. The entire Hua Dynasty was in an uproar. From the soldiers fighting on the front lines to the farmers working in the fields, from the babbling children to the staggering old people, everyone was deeply shocked by the news. In hospitals across the country, countless pneumonia patients, puerperal fever mothers, and severely infected people who were diagnosed as “certainly dying” were miraculously brought back to life under the power of this yellow powder. The army’s casualty rate plummeted. Countless injuries that would have been fatal in the past could now be reversed with just a single stitch. The people were already grateful to Lin Xiao for having enough food and clothing, and now the emperor had given them a magic medicine that could defeat death. Since when, the way people called Lin Xiao has quietly changed. People no longer called him “Your Majesty” or “Emperor”, but called him “Holy Emperor” with awe and worship. Lin Xiao’s prestige, based on the countless lives saved, was pushed to an unprecedented, almost divine peak. Chapter 491 Women’s College The tedious affairs of the new dynasty finally came to an end, and Lin Xiao had a rare few days of leisure. In the imperial garden, a century old osmanthus tree is in full bloom, emitting a sweet and fragrant aroma. Lin Xiao lazily lay on a newly built rocking chair, rocking gently. On the small stone table nearby were grapes that had just been picked from the Lingquan space. They were bright purple and still had water droplets hanging on them. Tuya leaned her plump body against him, peeled a grape with her slender fingers, and gently put it into Lin Xiao’s mouth. Liu Ruyan was quietly brewing tea on the side with an elegant posture. The fragrance of tea and flowers intertwined, and the years were peaceful. “Your Majesty, please try the snacks I have just made.” A soft voice came, with a hint of cautious exploration. Lin Xiao opened his eyes and saw Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana walking towards him with a lacquer tray. This mother and daughter, who were once pirates from the Japanese Empire, have now changed into the attire of palace maids from the Chinese Dynasty. After washing away their makeup, they appear even more beautiful. Sakurako still has her charm, while Nana is like a flower in bud, so delicate and pitiful. “Well, your craftsmanship is good.” Lin Xiao picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and took a bite. It was sweet but not greasy, and had a soft texture. After receiving the compliment, Nana’s eyes lit up instantly, a blush appeared on her little face, she glanced at Lin Xiao secretly, and then quickly lowered her head. Sakurako smiled, and in that smile there was gratitude, obedience, and a hint of dependence that she herself was not even aware of. “Your Majesty is truly blessed.” Tuya looked at the mother and daughter and chuckled softly, “Even the queen and princess of a former enemy country are willing to cook for you.” Upon hearing this, Yingzi’s body stiffened slightly, then relaxed again. She whispered, “It is Nana and I’s blessing to serve the Holy Emperor. Only here can we live like human beings.” These words came from the heart. In Hua Dynasty, they witnessed unprecedented prosperity and felt unprecedented respect. Especially the “Yuean”, for them, it is not only a convenient item, but also a symbol of personal dignity. Lin Xiao smiled noncommittally, enjoying this moment of peace. At this moment, a slight and rhythmic sound of armor leaves colliding came from far away. “General Agula, I pay my respects to Your Majesty!” The voice arrives before the person arrives. Agula was wearing silver soft armor, with an upright posture and walked towards me with a heroic look. She is now the deputy commander of the Imperial Palace Guard, responsible for the defense of the entire palace, and exudes a fierce aura that keeps strangers away. But when her eyes fell on the lazy man in the rocking chair, the sharpness instantly disappeared without a trace, as if ice and snow met the scorching sun. “What’s the matter?” Lin Xiao didn’t even raise his eyelids. “Your Majesty, the defense of the palace is normal and the rotation of guards has been completed successfully.” Agula’s voice unconsciously lowered an octave, even with a hint of softness that she herself did not notice. “Yeah.” Lin Xiao responded and pointed to the stone bench, “Sit down.” “I… I am responsible for guarding the imperial city and I dare not slack off.” Agula said this, but he moved over honestly and sat down on a stone bench a little further away from Lin Xiao. He stood straight with his hands on his knees, like a soldier listening to training. Seeing this, Liu Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled, then poured her a cup of tea. “Thank you, Empress Xian.” Agula hurriedly thanked her and picked up the teacup, but his movements were a little stiff, his eyes were vague, and he didn’t dare to look Lin Xiao in the eye. Lin Xiao found it funny to see her like this. “Okay, if you have nothing to do, just stay with me for a while. Stay with me tonight.” Lin Xiao said casually. Agula’s face suddenly turned red, spreading from his cheeks to his ears. Tuya, Yingzi and others on the side couldn’t help laughing. In this harem, the women have long gotten along harmoniously. No matter whether she was the former queen, the princess of the grassland, or the princess of the enemy country, in front of the huge mountain Lin Xiao, all her identities and pasts seemed unimportant. After playing for a while, Liu Weilan came over. She was wearing a simple and elegant palace dress today, with a hint of thought between her eyebrows. “Your Majesty.” She walked to Lin Xiao’s side and her eyes fell on several young palace maids who were pruning branches not far away. “What’s wrong, Concubine?” Lin Xiao held her hand, which felt warm. Liu Weilan sat down beside him and said softly, “I went to the Wang family textile workshop in the west of the city today and saw thousands of female workers busy at their spinning jenny machines. The scene was quite shocking.” “Of course, the wealth they create is no less than that of men.” Lin Xiao was quite proud of this. “Yes.” Liu Weilan nodded, then changed the subject, “But I’ve also discovered that although they earn wages with their own hands and can support themselves and even supplement their family income, their knowledge and status haven’t changed much. Many of them can’t even write their own names.” She paused, looking at Lin Xiao with a hint of anticipation in her eyes: “Your Majesty often says that knowledge is power. Men in our Hua Dynasty now have new schools to attend. What about women?” Lin Xiao’s heart moved. He looked at Liu Weilan, the former queen, who, after shedding the shackles of her status, showed extraordinary foresight and vision. She was not vying for favor for herself, but speaking up for women all over the world. “I, your Majesty, boldly request that you establish schools for girls. We do not ask them to pass the imperial examinations like men, but rather to teach them to read and write, and to understand the principles of life. This way, they can support their husbands and raise their children, and improve their craftsmanship. This will be a blessing for both the country and the family.” Liu Weilan’s voice was not loud, but every word she spoke was clear and powerful. She even went further: “Also, the female workers in the workshop do the same work as the male workers, but they’re paid differently. If this continues, I’m afraid it will hurt their feelings. Is it possible… to moderately increase their wages?” As soon as these words were spoken, Tuya, Agula, and even Sakurako and Nana were all stunned and looked at Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao stared at Liu Weilan and was silent for a moment. He suddenly laughed, and laughed very happily. “Good! Well said!” He slammed the armrest of his rocking chair and stood up. “If our Hua Dynasty wants to stand at the top of the world, how can we rely on half of the people? We must make everyone strong!” He looked at Liu Weilan, his eyes full of praise: “You are right to remind me. This is not called being bold, this is called sharing the country’s worries, it is a great achievement!” He immediately issued an order: “Pass on my decree! Instruct the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Industry to immediately establish the ‘Hua Chao Imperial Women’s College’! All women of our Hua Chao are welcome to enroll, and tuition will be halved! Upon graduation, they will have priority for employment in the Imperial Workshop, department stores, and banks!” “I hereby decree my order! Effective immediately, all royal workshops will increase female workers’ wages by 30%! We will also establish ‘nurseries’ to alleviate the worries of female workers!” Orders were issued from this small imperial garden, crisply and without a trace of hesitation. Liu Weilan stared at the high spirited Lin Xiao in a daze, her eyes slightly red. She knew how shocking her proposal was in this era. But not only did he not have any hesitation or opposition, but on this basis, he thought further and did more decisively. This man’s mind is truly as vast as the sea of stars. She bowed down gracefully, and this time, she bowed with a sincere heart and a warm feeling in her heart. “On behalf of all women in the world, I thank Your Majesty for His Grace!” Chapter 492: Secret Riot A few days later, in the imperial palace, Fengyi Palace. The sky was getting light, and Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes on the phoenix bed. This was once the bedroom of the Queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty, symbolizing the highest glory of women in the world. Now, everything here belongs to the Lin family. The tip of his nose was filled with the unique fragrance of a woman, mixed with the faint fragrance of orchid and musk. In his arms was the warmth, fragrance, and soft jade, smooth to the touch. He lowered his head, and Liu Weilan in his arms was still sleeping. The Queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who was once the mother of the country, was sleeping peacefully at this moment, with her long eyelashes drooping quietly like two small fans. Perhaps she had dreamed of something good, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, outlining a satisfied and sweet arc. There was no longer a trace of sadness on that graceful and beautiful face, only the laziness and attachment after being completely conquered. Lin Xiao felt relieved. He gently pulled his arm free and sat up. He was covered only with a thin silk blanket, revealing his chest and arms, revealing smooth and powerful muscle lines. He looked around the extremely luxurious palace, with its carved beams and painted buildings, and its splendor and gold. Every corner demonstrated the supreme imperial power. And now, this is his paradise. The feeling of holding both the power of the world and a stunning beauty in one’s hands is enough to make any man intoxicated. As soon as he stood up, the door of the palace was pushed open silently. Tuya and Agula walked in one after another. Tuya is still as plump and charming as ever. This former princess of the grassland is now wearing a long silk dress from the Hua Dynasty court, which adds a touch of femininity to her appearance. In her hand she held a golden basin filled with steaming warm water. Agula, who was following behind her, made Lin Xiao smile. This pearl of the grassland, who once had a fiery temper and fought against him on the battlefield, now changed out of her tight armor and put on a neat palace dress. Although there was still a heroic air between his brows, the eyes looking at Lin Xiao no longer had the original rebelliousness, and were replaced by unshakable admiration and tenderness. She held the green salt for rinsing her mouth and a brand new towel in her hands, her movements respectful. The two of them walked to the front of the couch and bowed down, their movements so standard that it seemed as if they had practiced it a thousand times. “His Majesty.” The voice was soft, with the warmth that was unique to the early morning. Before Lin Xiao could speak, two petite figures dressed in light pink palace maid costumes slid in silently like two butterflies and knelt behind Tuya and Agula. It was Fujiwara Sakurako and her daughter Nana. They lowered their heads, their foreheads almost touching the cold gold bricks, their posture was extremely humble. Yingzi raised her hands above her head, holding Lin Xiao’s underwear in her palms. Nana was holding a pair of cloud patterned soap boots, her face turning pale with nervousness. Their movements were extremely gentle, as if they were handling a rare treasure. They even deliberately slowed down their breathing, for fear of disturbing the man who dominated everything about them. Lin Xiao enjoyed all this calmly. Tuya stepped forward and wiped his face, while Agula held the basin of water. Sakurako and Nana knelt down and walked forward to help him put on socks and a shirt. When their fingertips occasionally touched Lin Xiao’s skin, the mother and daughter would tremble slightly, and then bury their heads even lower. This ultimate imperial luxury, this pleasure of conquering all former enemies and foreign queens, made every pore of Lin Xiao relax. As a last step, Agula took a deep breath, picked up the black dragon robe embroidered with nine five clawed golden dragons in gold thread, stood up, and put it on Lin Xiao. Her movements were accompanied by a subtle tremor. As she adjusted the collar of Lin Xiao’s dragon robe, her fingertips accidentally brushed against his neck. Agula’s face flushed instantly, and her passionate eyes were filled with admiration. Just then, Liu Weilan woke up. She lay on her side on the couch, her slender figure half covered with a silk quilt, quietly watching the scene before her. Looking at the former prairie princess, prairie princess, Japanese pirate queen and princess, who were serving the same man carefully like the most humble maid, there was no jealousy in her eyes, but a kind of self righteous peace. This man is worthy of the admiration and submission of all women in this world. She slowly stood up, and the silk quilt slipped off, revealing a large area of snow white skin and moving curves. She walked up to Lin Xiao and naturally took over Agula’s position as a noble concubine. She personally straightened the last wrinkle on Lin Xiao’s dragon robe and tied the jade belt around his waist. Her movements were skillful and gentle, and her eyes were full of dependence. It was as if Lin Xiao was her sky, her earth, and the only light in her life. Lin Xiao looked at the extremely harmonious scene in front of him, and felt extremely happy and proud. He reached out and gently pinched Liu Weilan’s cheek, then scratched Agula’s hot face, causing the latter to lower her head shyly. Just then, a series of familiar system prompts sounded in his mind. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by 2. Current favorability: 102.] [Ding! Agula’s favorability +5, current favorability: 60.] [Ding! Fujiwara Sakurako’s favorability increased by 5, current favorability: 20.] After breakfast, the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood in the imperial study. After Lin Xiao finished dealing with some military affairs, he picked up the teacup and gently blew away the foam. The chief minister of the cabinet, Song Qinghe, walked in quickly, with a look of joy mixed with a hint of solemnity on his face. “His Majesty.” “Tell me, what’s the matter?” Lin Xiao didn’t even raise his head. “Your Majesty, the new dynasty’s policies are being implemented extremely smoothly. Especially in the newly conquered southern counties, the land has been remeasured and redistributed, and the people have received farmland. Every household is setting up a longevity tablet for you.” “The fertilizer you bestowed is like a miracle. Agricultural officials from all over the country are sending urgent reports from over 800 miles away. They all say that this year’s harvest is going to be amazing! The people have completely surrendered to our Hua Dynasty!” Song Qinghe spoke so excitedly that his voice trembled a little. Lin Xiao nodded. This was all within his expectations. Song Qinghe changed the subject, his face showing worry. “But…everything has its pros and cons. Our national policy has affected too many people. Those old nobles and large landowners from the previous dynasty have been pretending to support land reform, but secretly trying to hinder it.” “They colluded and hoarded grain, cloth, salt, and iron, driving up prices and causing panic in some areas. Worse still, they spread rumors among the people, saying… that Your Majesty is a sorcerer, misleading the world, and that chemical fertilizers are poisonous and over drain the soil. Excessive use will lead to crop failure and the extinction of our descendants.” The originally relaxed atmosphere in the imperial study suddenly froze. Lin Xiao’s hand holding the teacup stopped in mid air, and the lazy smile on his face quietly disappeared. He placed the teacup heavily on the table with a dull thud. Song Qinghe was so frightened that he trembled in his heart and quickly lowered his head. Chapter 493 Tyrant Lin Xiao’s eyes were cold and without a trace of emotion. He knew very well that any change in the times would affect the interests of the old forces, and their counterattack was inevitable. Trying to make them give up the fat meat in their mouths by reasoning with them is like trying to get the skin of a tiger. He spoke slowly, his voice was not loud, but it was filled with an unquestionable determination. “Song Aiqing, please remember this.” “The Hua Dynasty is a chariot advancing at high speed. Its goal is to lead the people of the world towards an unprecedented era of prosperity.” “Who dares to stand in front of this chariot…” Lin Xiao paused, staring at Song Qinghe with a sharp gaze. “Just run over him.” “Show no mercy, no scruples. Tell the people below that anyone who dares to hoard goods will have their property confiscated; anyone who dares to incite unrest will have their entire clan exterminated.” “I want everyone to understand that those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. All obstacles in the road to development must be removed, leaving no one behind.” Song Qinghe’s whole body trembled, and a chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, but what followed was incomparable excitement. What he wanted was His Majesty’s decisive words! “Your Majesty, I obey your order!” Song Qinghe kowtowed heavily, feeling relieved. Thousands of miles away, in the south of Hua Dynasty, there is Luyang County. This place used to be the heartland of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but now it is the domain of the Hua Dynasty. Old farmer Sun Changying squatted on the edge of the field, puffing on his pipe, his eyes fixed on his three acres of wheat field without blinking, as if he was nailed there. He was originally a disaster victim in the north, fleeing all the way, thinking he would starve to death on the road. Unexpectedly, he was taken in by the King of Zhenbei… no, the current His Majesty the Holy Emperor. He went all the way south and was even allocated land here that he could not have dreamed of. A few days ago, officials beat drums and gongs and distributed a white powder called “fertilizer” to every household, saying it was a divine gift from the Holy Emperor, and that it would make crops grow rapidly if spread on the ground. Sun Changying was half believing and half doubting, but since this was the grace of the Holy Emperor, he did not dare to neglect it. He honestly followed the instructions of the government and sprinkled the “immortal powder” into the ground. Only a dozen days had passed, and the scene before him made him feel like he was dreaming. The wheat field in front of him was as green as if it had been splashed with thick ink, almost dark green! Each wheat stalk was thicker than his thumb after a lifetime of farm work, and it pointed straight up to the sky. His spirit was even greater than that of the imperial guards. The ears of wheat that had just been pulled out already looked heavy, and the grains were so full that they seemed about to burst through the shell at any moment. When the wind blows, the green wheat waves roll and roll, bringing with them a refreshing fragrance. “Oh my God…” Sun Changying stretched out his hand tremblingly, wanting to touch the thick wheat straw, but he was afraid it was an illusion and it would break if he touched it. He pinched his thigh hard and grimaced in pain. It’s not a dream! It’s real! “It’s true! It’s true!” Sun Changying could no longer control herself, and turbid tears instantly welled up in her eyes. He threw away his pipe, faced the direction of the capital, and knelt down with a plop. His forehead hit the solid ridge of the field again and again, making a “dong dong” sound. “Your Majesty the Holy Emperor! You are a living immortal!” “I, an old man, kowtow to you! Thank you for the divine food you have given me!” His voice was like lighting a powder keg. The farmers in the surrounding fields had already been stunned by the scene here. When they saw Sun Changying kneeling down, they also reacted. “Plop! Plop! Plop!” On the ridges and in the fields, a large group of people knelt down in a black mass. “Long live the Holy Emperor!” “My wife scolded me yesterday, saying that the white powder distributed by the government was a scam. Today, after looking at the land, she slapped herself twice!” A man cried with snot and tears, and shouted at the top of his lungs. “In this lifetime, I can finally give my child a full meal! Woohoo… Your Majesty the Holy Emperor, you are our reborn parent!” Cries and shouts, mixed with heartfelt ecstasy, resounded through the sky. Whoever can give them land, whoever can let them grow food, whoever can keep their wives, children and the elderly from starving, that person is their heaven, their God! However, where some are happy, others are sad. The county seat of Luyang Commandery was formerly the compound of the Li family, a powerful family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. “Crackle—!” A fine blue and white porcelain teacup was thrown hard to the ground and shattered into pieces. The head of the family, Li Hongcai, a middle aged fat man who had lived a life of luxury for half his life, now had a sullen face and his chest heaving violently. He pointed at the trembling housekeeper in front of him and cursed loudly. “Useless! A bunch of useless! Can’t even keep an eye on a few peasants!” The housekeeper knelt on the ground with a mournful look on his face. “Master, don’t blame me! The government gave those unruly people land and even some fertilizer. They’ve gone crazy now. Who would be willing to be our tenant? We have thousands of acres of fertile land, and now… it’s almost barren! The grain in the granary is only going out, and it’s almost empty!” “Lin Xiao! You tyrant!” Li Hongcai’s eyes were red, and he looked like a mad tiger. “I will never forgive you for destroying my Li family’s wealth for a hundred years!” His Li family has been operating in Yunzhou County for a hundred years, relying on the land and countless tenants. Every year, they can make a lot of money just from collecting rent. But when Lin Xiao’s new policy came into effect, it directly cut off the source of his troubles and uprooted him. This is worse than killing him! “Someone come here!” Li Hongcai roared. Soon, several heads of local aristocrats were invited to the Li family’s secret room. “Everyone, Lin Xiao is going too far! If he continues like this, we will all be left with nothing!” Li Hongcai said straight to the point with a gloomy face. “Brother Li, that’s the imperial court. What can we do?” A family head named Wang frowned. “What are you afraid of!” Li Hongcai sneered, his eyes flashing with madness and greed. “The emperor is far away! Even if Lin Xiao knew, he could send troops over. Wouldn’t it take more than half a month to come back? By the time his troops arrive, the opportunity will be gone!” He lowered his voice, his tongue spitting out like a venomous snake: “I’ve inquired, and the garrison troops in the county town are all newly recruited, and few of them are capable of fighting. Each of us has privately stored weapons and servants. Together, we have over a thousand people! Wait until the autumn harvest, and we will take action!” “Take action?” Everyone was shocked. “Right!” Li Hongcai slammed the table, the fat on his face trembling. “When the time comes, we’ll incite those brainless tenant farmers and say the government wants to rob them of their grain! Taking advantage of the chaos, we’ll seize all the grain from the government warehouses and those peasants! Now that we have the grain, are we worried about not being able to recruit troops? This county will be ours by then!” Seeing the confident expression on Li Hongcai’s face, the others were also moved, and the fear in their eyes was gradually replaced by greed. They seemed to have already seen the scene of golden grains filling their own warehouses during the autumn harvest season. In the secret room, several heads gathered together and let out sinister laughter. They were completely unaware that an invisible network composed of railways, telegraphs and steel had already enveloped the entire Chinese Dynasty. Chapter 494: Quelling the Rebellion Capital city, imperial study. Lin Xiao held a thin piece of paper between his fingertips, with dense handwriting on it. This was the first encrypted urgent report sent by the “Military Affairs Council”, which was expanded from the original Zhenbei intelligence agency. The paper recorded in detail how Li Hongcai and other nobles in Luyang County colluded and conspired, and even the details of their plan to take action during the autumn harvest were clearly recorded. “hehe.” Lin Xiao chuckled and threw the secret report into the charcoal brazier beside him. As the flames licked it, the paper instantly curled up and turned into black ash. A bunch of dead bones in a grave, yet you still want to stop a chariot with your bare hands? “Call Sun Mingde and Song Qinghe.” He gave calm instructions to the outside of the door. Soon, two figures walked quickly into the imperial study, one in front and one behind. The Minister of War, Sun Mingde, still had that rough look. Even his casual clothes couldn’t hide the fierceness of a fierce general. He walked with great vigor. The chief minister of the cabinet, Song Qinghe, walked steadily, his beard was meticulously trimmed, and his eyes revealed the shrewdness and depth unique to civil servants. “Your Majesty.” They both saluted. “Sit down.” Lin Xiao pointed to the chair in front of him. Without beating around the bush, he pushed an ordinary map to the center of the table and lightly tapped the location of “Luyang County” with his finger. “There are a few flies buzzing here, and they’re annoying me.” Sun Mingde’s eyes lit up instantly, brighter than the candlelight in the imperial study. He stood up in a flash, his back straight, and subconsciously reached for his waist with his big hands. When he felt nothing, he remembered that this was not a military camp. “Your Majesty! Give the order! I will lead the troops to crush them immediately! I promise to bring back the heads of those fools intact to use as your chamber pots!” Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling him to stay calm, and turned his gaze to Song Qinghe. “I want more than just a few heads.” Song Qinghe’s heart trembled. He knew that the main topic had come. “Sun Mingde.” Lin Xiao’s gaze returned to Sun Mingde. “I will give you a division of troops and utilize the newly built railway line in the south. Within three days, I want Luyang County to be completely pacified.” Three days? You’re looking down on those idiots! “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! One day! I only need one day to turn Luyang County upside down!” Sun Mingde patted his chest, his voice like a bell. “Go ahead.” “I obey your command!” Sun Mingde grinned, gave a standard military salute, turned around and walked away with big strides, his back revealing a sense of impatience. In the imperial study, only Lin Xiao and Song Qinghe were left. Lin Xiao picked up the teacup, took a sip slowly, and then slowly spoke. His tone was calm, but the content made Song Qing and the prime minister’s heart beat faster. “Lord Song, this incident in Luyang County is both an induction and an opportunity.” “My fertilizers allow the people to have enough food to eat. My land policies allow the people to have farmland. This is a great thing, but there are always people who don’t think so. Because we are disturbing their roots.” “I don’t want to reason with them.” Lin Xiao put down his teacup, his eyes sharp. “I want to take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate land and property across the country and settle accounts with the old nobles. Anyone who pretends to obey, secretly obstructs, hoards goods, or spreads rumors, every single one of them, will be eradicated!” Song Qinghe’s breathing suddenly stopped. He instantly understood Lin Xiao’s intention. This is not a simple suppression of rebellion, but a thorough political purge from top to bottom! It is to remove the cancer that has been entrenched in the body of the old Great Zhou for hundreds of years at one time! What courage and determination this is! A surge of hot blood rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and Song Qinghe’s face turned red because of extreme excitement. He seemed to have seen a new and powerful dynasty, free of all chronic diseases, rising on the horizon. This is the real Kaiyuan Prosperity! “Your Majesty, I obey your command!” Song Qinghe bowed, his head banging heavily on the cold golden bricks. His voice trembled with excitement. “Your Majesty, I will do this for the Hua Dynasty! Even if it means death, I will not refuse!” A few days later, in Luyang County, at the Li family compound. Inside the secret room, the lights were on and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol. Li Hongcai and the heads of several other major families in Luyang County were holding their wine glasses, their faces flushed, and their eyes flashing with greed and madness. Outside the courtyard, thousands of guards from various households, armed with a variety of weapons, have assembled and are just waiting for the order to rush towards the county government office and the official warehouse outside the city. “Everyone!” Li Hongcai proudly stood up and drank the wine in his cup. “After tonight, the food in Luyang County will be ours! The land will be ours! This Luyang County will be ours!” “Hahahaha! Brother Li is right!” “To Brother Li!” Everyone echoed in agreement, and obscene laughter echoed in the secret room. They seemed to have seen the golden grains filling the warehouse and the beautiful peasant women enjoying themselves under them. Just then— “Woo——” A long, sharp, metallic roar suddenly pierced the quiet night sky of Luyang County without any warning. The sound, like the roar of an evil spirit from the Netherworld, had an unparalleled penetrating power that instantly drowned out all the laughter and noise in the secret room. “What’s that sound?!” The smile on Li Hongcai’s face froze instantly, and the wine glass fell to the ground with a clang. Everyone was stunned and looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion and fear. They had lived half their lives and had never heard such a breathtaking sound. “Is…is it an earthquake?” “No! Is it thunder? But there are no dark clouds in the sky!” Li Hongcai’s face turned pale, and an ominous premonition came to his heart. He crawled out of the secret room, ran to the yard, and looked up in the direction where the sound came from the east of the city. There, there is nothing but endless darkness. But the horrible roar was getting closer and louder, so loud that it hurt people’s eardrums, and even the ground beneath their feet began to tremble slightly. “Hurry! Go and see! What happened in the east of the city!” Li Hongcai screamed at the housekeeper. However, it was too late. Outside the east gate of the county town, there was originally a barren land. But tonight, a steel track has been laid here quietly without anyone noticing. Accompanied by the deafening whistle, a train, spewing thick black smoke and white steam, broke through the night and stopped at the end of the track. “Crack—” The carriage doors of the steel behemoth opened one by one like the huge mouth of a monster. The next second, soldiers rushed out. They wore uniform round steel helmets, neat dark military uniforms, and thick military boots. In their hands, there were no spears or machetes, but a kind of short barreled firearm that had never been seen before, shining with a cold metallic luster. They didn’t shout or roar. There was only the sound of uniform footsteps, like the drumbeat of death, “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!” beating on everyone’s heart. In just a few minutes, thousands of soldiers gathered into solemn square formations outside the carriages. The cold muzzles of the guns reflected the light of death in the moonlight, and were all aimed at the county town. Chapter 495 Crushed Luyang County Town, Li Family Compound. A servant came back crawling and tumbling, looking as if he had just been fished out of the water. His face was as pale as paper, his crotch was wet, and it emitted an unpleasant stench. He ran into the courtyard gate and fell flat on his face, not caring about the pain. The sound coming out of his throat no longer sounded like a human voice, but more like a chicken with its neck strangled. “Master! Come…come!” When Li Hongcai heard the noise, his ominous premonition became stronger. “What are you panicking about! You useless thing! Is the sky falling?” He kicked the servant and cursed angrily. The servant rolled twice after being kicked, but he was completely unaware. He just used all his strength to point in the direction of the east of the city and screamed. “Iron… Iron dragon! An iron dragon belching black smoke! So… So many soldiers! So many soldiers! They all came out of the iron dragon’s belly!” “What Iron Dragon?” “What soldiers?” Everyone looked at each other. Li Hongcai’s expression also changed. He stared at the servant who was still trembling on the ground, grabbed his collar and lifted him up. “What did you say? Soldiers? Where did the soldiers come from?!” “They’re… they’re the soldiers from the capital! They’re wearing the same black clothes and iron hats, and they’re holding weapons… I’ve never seen them before, they’re black and glowing!” The spy was rambling incoherently, his face covered in tears and snot. “They…they were riding on that roaring iron thing, and they were here in a flash! They were here in a flash!” Li Hongcai’s head buzzed as if it was hit hard by a sledgehammer. Soldiers from the capital? He was completely stunned, and his hand loosened, and the servant collapsed to the ground. impossible. Absolutely impossible! Luyang County is so far away from the capital that even if you ride at full speed without rest, it will take at least ten days to half a month to travel there. He calculated the time accurately. Even if the court received the news and sent troops, it would be after the autumn harvest. Three days? Three days from the capital to Luyang County? Sitting on a roaring iron dragon? What kind of magical trick is this? Or is… that Lin Xiao really a monster who can use witchcraft? A bone chilling chill suddenly shot up from his tailbone and instantly spread throughout his limbs and bones. Everyone’s laughter froze on their faces. They looked at Li Hongcai’s face, which instantly lost its color, and then looked at the spy who was shaking like a sieve on the ground, and finally realized that something was wrong. Just then— “boom !!!” There was an unprecedented loud noise, as if the divine thunder from the nine heavens exploded in the ears, and the entire Li family compound, including the ground beneath the feet, trembled violently! The dust from the ceiling fell down with a rustling sound, and the wine glasses and dishes on the table jumped up and fell to the ground, making a series of crisp shattering sounds. Everyone was shaken by the sudden loud noise, their ears were buzzing, and they couldn’t hear anything for a while. Li Hongcai was closest to the wall and was shocked to the point of sitting down on the ground. He looked up in confusion and saw the courtyard wall made of fine blue bricks, several feet thick, right in front of him, as if it had been hit hard by an invisible giant hand! The center of the wall suddenly caved inward, and then with a loud “boom”, a huge gap exploded! Bricks, soil, wood chips, mixed with choking smoke, exploded in all directions. The sturdy courtyard wall collapsed in an instant, as if it were made of paper. Amidst the smoke and dust, Li Hongcai saw the scene on the street outside the courtyard. Teams of soldiers in black uniforms were standing there silently, their weapons pointed at their own yards. That’s… a cannon! “Enemy attack! Enemy attack!” “Hurry! Come on! Come on, come on!” The servants and guards in the yard finally recovered from their panic. They were all ruffians who relied on their numbers to bully others and were used to doing things that were against them. At this moment, they were aroused by the deafening noise. “Kill!” A guard chief with a face full of flesh, waving a ghost head knife in his hand, was the first to rush out from the collapsed gap. Behind him, hundreds of servants armed with swords, spears, sticks and clubs rushed forward in a chaotic manner, howling like a hornet’s nest that had been poked. In their opinion, the other side had only a hundred or so people, while they had thousands of people on their side, and a spit from each of them could drown them! However, what greeted them was not the close combat they had imagined. In the opposite army formation, an officer raised his hand expressionlessly, then swung it down suddenly. “Fire!” “Da da da da da——!!!” There was no deafening roar, but rather a dense, short, crisp sound like popping beans. Hundreds of rifles spewed out deadly flames at the same time. The security chief who was rushing in the front had not yet lost the grim smile on his face when several bloody holes suddenly exploded in his chest. He seemed to be pushed backwards by a huge force, and the ghost head knife flew out of his hand. His body was beaten into a ball of rotten flesh in mid air. The mob behind him seemed to have hit an invisible wall of bullets. Dense rain of bullets, with a sharp whistling sound, instantly enveloped them. Blood flowers bloomed one after another in the crowd. The human body is extremely fragile in the face of this violence made of steel and gunpowder. Arms, thighs, and even the head were torn and shattered in an instant. The screams only lasted for a brief moment before being completely drowned out by the gunfire. The dozens of people who rushed to the front didn’t even touch the corner of the opponent’s clothes. In just a few breaths, they were shot to death. The servants behind were terrified by the hellish scene before them. They threw away their weapons, turned around and ran away crying. But how can two legs outrun a bullet? “Da da da da da—!” Another salvo. The running crowd fell down in large groups like wheat harvested by a sickle. This is no longer a battle, it can’t even be called a war. It was a cold, efficient, and unpredictable massacre. The thousands of servants that the Li family was proud of could not last even a minute in the face of the modern firepower of the Huachao New Army. The entrance to the compound had turned into a bloody hell. Inside the house, Li Hongcai and the other family heads stared blankly at everything outside through the collapsed wall. Their eyes were wide open, their mouths were unconsciously open, and they were unaware of the saliva flowing from the corners of their mouths. Their brains have completely stopped thinking. The servants and guards they were proud of, the armed forces they relied on to start the rebellion, were no different from a group of pigs and sheep waiting to be slaughtered in front of those black muzzles of guns. “Plop.” The legs of a family head went limp and he collapsed to the ground. A stream of yellow liquid quickly spread down his trouser legs and onto the ground. Then, as if it were contagious, the remaining people collapsed one by one, their faces ashen, with only the most primitive fear and despair left in their eyes. Li Hongcai’s whole body was shaking like a leaf in the wind, his teeth chattering, making a “clack” sound. He’s finished. It’s all over. Chapter 496: People’s Excitement The compound was quickly breached. The soldiers rushed in like a tide, dragged Li Hongcai and others, who were as limp as mud, out like dead dogs, and tied them tightly with thick hemp ropes. The people in the county town had long been awakened by the earth shaking roar and dense gunfire. They hid behind door cracks and in windows, looking out in horror. Everyone was stunned when they saw that Li Hongcai and other masters, who usually acted arrogantly and rode on their heads and pissed and shit on them, were now bruised and tied up and taken to the square in front of the county government office. After the shock came disbelief. Afterwards, a surge of ecstasy that had been suppressed for who knows how many years erupted from the bottom of my heart like a volcano! “Is that… Li Paopi?” “And there’s also the Wang family’s old stingy Wang! Butcher Zhang!” “God has opened his eyes! God has opened his eyes!” I don’t know who shouted first, but soon the whole county was in an uproar. People poured out of their homes and surrounded the square. They pointed at Li Hongcai and others who were kneeling on the ground, cursed at them, and spat in their faces. Old farmer Sun Changying was also squeezed in the crowd. He looked at the landlord who had forced his family to ruin and was now kneeling there like a dog. Hot tears instantly welled up in his turbid old eyes. At this moment, an officer rode his horse to the center of the square, unfolded a yellow edict, and read in a loud voice: “The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Li Hongcai and his followers, members of the Luyang noble family, have disregarded the laws of the land, hoarded valuables, and exploited the people of their homeland. They have also plotted against the government and are planning rebellion. Their crimes are heinous and unforgivable, and Heaven will not tolerate them!” “I, out of compassion for all people and in accordance with Heaven’s will, now decree: The chief criminal, Li Hongcai, and seven others, shall be executed immediately! Their entire property shall be confiscated and immediately distributed to the poor people of Luyang County who have been oppressed by them!” “So ordered!” As soon as the words fell, the entire square was first dead silent, and then erupted into thunderous cheers! “The Holy Emperor is wise!” “Long live our emperor!” The people were so excited that they cried and laughed. They knelt down in a large crowd and kowtowed desperately towards the direction of the capital. The executioner raised his knife and struck down. When Li Hongcai’s fat head rolled to the ground, Sun Changying could no longer restrain herself and burst into tears. He cried out, his voice hoarse but filled with endless hope. “Your Majesty the Holy Emperor! You are the living Bodhisattva for us poor people!” The news of Luyang County’s thundering action spread throughout the Hua Dynasty in just two days. Freshly published copies of the “Hua Chao Di Bao” were printed with a shocking headline in the largest font: “The Traitor Surrenders, Justice is Clear.” Beneath the titles are pictures that were captured with shocking clarity using photographic technology. The first photo shows a train spewing thick smoke, quietly parked outside Luyang City. The second photo shows the huge gap in the city wall. The collapsed bricks and stones and the charred marks silently speak of a terrifying power that mortals cannot understand. The third photo shows hundreds of Chinese soldiers wearing uniform military uniforms, lined up in neat square formations, with their automatic rifles flashing the cold light of death. At their feet was Li Hongcai’s head, with his eyes still open after death, and the heads of powerful families who were kneeling on the ground with pale faces. Jiangnan, Su County. In the mansion of the Zhang family, a prominent family of the former Great Zhou Dynasty. The head of the family, Zhang Demao, was holding a cup of freshly brewed Biluochun tea, but his fingers were trembling slightly. The tea spilled out and wet his brocade robe without him noticing. In front of him was the “Hua Chao Di Bao”. In the study, the allies who had vowed to him at the beginning to unite and give the new dynasty a “show of power” were now silent, their faces paler than paper. “Three days… It only took three days to get from the capital to Luyang…” a family head muttered to himself, his voice tinged with tears. “That roaring iron dragon traveled a thousand miles a day… This… This isn’t human power, this is witchcraft! It’s witchcraft!” Zhang Demao’s eyes were fixed on the photo of the soldier. He didn’t care about the Iron Dragon. He only saw the black muzzles of the guns in the soldiers’ hands. As an old aristocrat who once held military power, he knew better than anyone what that meant. That meant that the thousands of private soldiers that his Zhang family had painstakingly cultivated for hundreds of years were no different from a group of chickens stretching their necks to be slaughtered in front of such an army formation. He slowly folded the newspaper, his movements gentle, as if it was not a piece of paper but a death spell. “Pass the order down.” His voice was dry and hoarse. “All the food and cloth stored in the house must be sold immediately at the market price. No, 10% less than the market price!” “All occupied land must be thoroughly investigated, reported to the authorities, and returned to the people.” “Tell the clan members that anyone who dares to discuss state affairs or criticize the emperor will have their legs broken and be expelled from the family!” Zhang Demao stood up, walked to the center of the secret room, and threw the silk cloth containing their covenant into the brazier. The flames licked the silk and burned away the last trace of unrealistic fantasies in their hearts. Those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. The new emperor was not joking with them. Harem, imperial garden. The autumn air is clear and crisp, and the golden osmanthus is fragrant. Lin Xiao and Liu Weilan walked side by side on the cobblestone path, enjoying their rare leisure time. “Your Majesty crushed the Luyang rebellion with lightning speed. Now, those old clans in the south have all become cowards and dare not cause trouble anymore.” Liu Weilan’s voice was gentle and pleasant, with a hint of sincere admiration on her face. She stopped, raised her beautiful face, looked at Lin Xiao’s profile, and her eyes were shining. “I once believed that the way of an emperor lies in benevolence and gentleness. Now I know that womanly kindness is not enough to build a country. If Your Majesty does not decisively and swiftly eradicate these cancers that have entrenched themselves in the Great Zhou, they will only cause harm for thousands of years.” There was no sympathy for the old aristocrats in her eyes, but rather a kind of recognition and admiration from the heart. “I… am glad that the ruler of this Hua Dynasty is Your Majesty.” Her honor and disgrace, her future, are completely tied to the man in front of her and this new dynasty. Lin Xiao felt relieved. The person who understood him best in the world was actually the former queen. He stretched out his hand, embraced Liu Weilan’s soft waist in his arms, and lowered his head to gently kiss her smooth forehead. Beauties as beautiful as jade and landscapes as picturesque as paintings are all under your control. At this tender moment, a little palace maid came running from a distance, holding up the hem of her skirt, her face full of panic. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something bad has happened!” Lin Xiao frowned slightly, and Liu Weilan in his arms also straightened up and looked at the palace maid. “How can you be so flustered?” The young palace maid fell to her knees with a thud, gasping for breath as she said, “Your Majesty, Concubine Wu…Concubine Wu was training the Imperial Guards in the training grounds when she suddenly…suddenly fainted!” Chapter 497 Happy Pulse Lin Xiao’s face darkened instantly. Agula? Without saying a word, he let go of Liu Weilan, turned around and strode towards the training ground. There was now a circle of people gathered on the training ground. Yan Ruotong, Yan Ruoxi, Tuya and other girls gathered in the center, each with an anxious look on their face. Agula lay pale on a temporary couch with his eyes closed. “What’s going on?” Lin Xiao’s voice came with unquestionable majesty. When everyone saw him coming, they all made way for him. “Your Majesty!” Yan Ruotong hurried forward. “Agula was just instructing the guards on horseback archery when he suddenly fell from his horse. Luckily, a guard nearby caught him.” Lin Xiao walked to the couch, squatted down, looked at Agula’s pale face, and a trace of worry rose in his heart. “Where’s the imperial physician?” “It’s been sent! It’s coming!” As soon as he finished speaking, a young man dressed in the clothes of an imperial physician, carrying a medicine box, ran over breathlessly. This imperial physician was one of the first students to graduate with the highest honors from the medical school founded by Lin Xiao himself. Seeing the emperor here, he did not dare to be negligent and immediately knelt down to salute. Then he quickly stepped forward and began to take Agula’s pulse. There was silence on the training ground, and everyone’s eyes were focused on the young imperial physician’s finger. The imperial physician first looked focused with a frown on his face. After a moment, he seemed to have realized something, a hint of surprise appeared on his face, and he put his fingers on his pulse, as if he couldn’t believe it. He closed his eyes, held his breath, and felt it carefully for a long time. Suddenly, he opened his eyes! All the tension and solemnity on that young face were instantly overwhelmed by an incredible ecstasy! “Plop!” The imperial physician’s knees softened, and he knelt heavily in front of Lin Xiao, not caring about his manners in front of the emperor. His voice rose in extreme excitement, almost using up all his strength, and resounded throughout the training grounds: “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!” “Empress Wu, she… she’s not sick!” “It’s a happy pulse!” With a loud “boom”, the entire training ground seemed to explode. Happy pulse? Lin Xiao’s brain buzzed, and then a huge ecstasy gushed out from the bottom of his heart like magma, instantly washing over his limbs and bones! He suddenly lowered his head and looked at the still unconscious woman on the couch. Agula…the wild horse he conquered on the grassland was pregnant with his child! This feeling is more satisfying than taking down a city or conquering a country! Liu Weilan, Yan Rutong and other girls were also stunned at first, and then their faces were filled with genuine joy. “Great! Sister Agula is pregnant!” “Your Majesty, this is a great joyous occasion!” At this moment, Agula on the couch trembled her eyelashes slightly and slowly opened her eyes. She was still a little confused, looking at the smiling faces around her, somewhat bewildered. “What’s wrong with me?” Her voice was still a little weak. “Sister Agula, you…you are going to be a mother!” Yan Ruoxi spoke quickly, holding her hand and said with joy on her face. Agula’s body suddenly stiffened, and his eyes, as sharp as a falcon, widened instantly. Subconsciously, she slowly and tremblingly stroked her flat belly. There… is a little life there? Is it her child with that man? She slowly turned her head, her eyes passing over the crowd, meeting Lin Xiao’s in the air. Lin Xiao’s eyes were filled with undisguised ecstasy and arrogance. In Agula’s eyes, the inherent toughness and arrogance of the grassland woman melted away as quickly as ice and snow at this moment. Instead, there was an unprecedented light, a mixture of pride, shyness and endless happiness. She, Agula, the daughter of the Khan of the grassland, the female general who once commanded the Gray Wolf Cavalry, is finally going to give birth to a child for the man who conquered her! This is the highest honor for a grassland woman! She looked at Lin Xiao, and the corners of her mouth rose uncontrollably. Her smile was as bright as the sarlang flowers blooming on the grassland. Lin Xiao felt extremely happy, and his sense of conquest was unprecedented. He walked forward, waved everyone away, sat down beside the couch, and gently held Agula in his arms. [Ding! Agula’s favorability +10, current favorability 70!] [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by +5, currently at 107!] It’s time to draw again! Lin Xiao was delighted, but with the beautiful girl in his arms, he was not in a hurry. That night, Lin Xiao stayed in Agula’s bedroom. The lights in Concubine Wu’s bedroom were bright, and palace maids and eunuchs came in and out, bringing countless precious supplements and medicinal herbs for pregnancy. The entire palace was immersed in a joyous atmosphere. Lin Xiao dismissed everyone and stayed in the hall alone. After taking a bath, Agula changed into a loose and soft silk nightgown and leaned against the head of the bed. Without the restraint of armor, she exudes a thrilling femininity. The uniquely fit figure of the grassland woman was now even more plump due to her pregnancy. She snuggled in Lin Xiao’s arms, like a tamed cheetah, with all her claws and fangs retracted, leaving only gentleness and tenderness. The hands that once could pull a two stone bow were now gently placed on her lower abdomen, with an indelible sweetness and satisfaction on her face. “Lin Xiao…” She murmured softly, with a hint of lazy nasal sound in her voice, “Do you think he will be like you or me?” “People like you are the most beautiful pearl on the grassland. People like me are the pillars of the future Chinese Dynasty.” Lin Xiao stroked her soft long hair and said with a smile. “I hope it’s a boy, as strong as you, so that I can follow you into battle to kill enemies and expand territory.” Agula looked up, his eyes flashing with admiration. In her world, the strong should have everything, and Lin Xiao is the strongest man. “All good.” Lin Xiao lowered his head and kissed her forehead. “As long as it’s our child, I like it.” Agula’s heart completely melted. She stopped talking and just hugged Lin Xiao tighter, as if she wanted to rub herself into his bones and blood. Enjoying this rare warmth, Lin Xiao silently said in his heart: “System, draw the prize!” The familiar system interface reappeared, and the huge roulette wheel began to spin wildly, flashing with light and making a mechanical “clicking” sound. Finally, in a dazzling golden light, the pointer slowly stopped. All the brilliance faded, and a line of ancient and heavy characters slowly emerged in Lin Xiao’s mind. “Basic Technology of Steam Powered Agricultural Machinery and Internal Combustion Engines”! Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up instantly! Done! If fertilizer is the “software” of the agricultural revolution, then this thing is the undisputed “hardware”! It is a national weapon that can truly liberate productivity from human and animal power! It is the next core driving force of the industrial revolution! Chapter 498 Steam Agricultural Machinery The next second, the line of big characters exploded, turning into an endless torrent of knowledge, like a river bursting its banks, suddenly pouring into his brain! The overall structure of a steam tractor, a plan for improving a high pressure boiler, the transmission principle of a piston and connecting rod… What made him even more ecstatic was that in addition to steam power, there was also the basic technology of internal combustion engines! Design drawings of early single cylinder gasoline engines, the atomization principle of carburetors, the ignition system of high voltage coils, valve timing… Countless complex and precise mechanical drawings, physical formulas, and chemical reaction equations flashed through his mind rapidly, and were then perfectly reassembled into a series of functioning machines. “Well……” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but let out a comfortable groan. He saw it! He saw that on the vast expanse of fertile farmland, there were no longer farmers bending over to work, but steam tractors roaring and turning over the fertile land. The workload in one day was enough to match the hard work of hundreds of people for a month! He saw it! He saw armored vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, rolling over rugged mountains, with machine guns and artillery mounted on them. They were the prototypes of future tanks and armored vehicles! He saw it! A huge empire whose agricultural productivity has completely exploded and whose military power has once again achieved a generational crushing advantage is roaring deafeningly in his hands! Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, and deep in his eyes was an uncontrollable excitement and fire. The empire’s agriculture and military will once again usher in an epic leap! He lowered his head, looked at Agula in his arms, and a smug smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. New life and new technology come together. This is the Kaiyuan Period of Prosperity. The next morning, Lin Xiao finished dealing with several important matters of the morning court in a refreshed state, and then directly conveyed the imperial edict. He summoned Zhang Fuan, the Minister of Works, and a number of key members of the Mechanical Department of the Academy of Sciences to the Imperial Study for an audience immediately. Zhang Fuan and the others practically trotted over. Ever since the founding of the Hua Dynasty, the Minister of Works had stood taller than ever before, his face always radiating red. The Academy of Gewu is now the most popular department in the court, and Zhang Fuan is the leader of this group of skilled craftsmen. Every time His Majesty summons us, it means that something earth shattering is about to come out. This has become a consensus among everyone. Everyone entered the imperial study with a pilgrimage like mood, only to see Lin Xiao already standing in front of a huge blackboard. “Are you all here?” Lin Xiao turned around and glanced at them, then nodded. “Come here, let’s take a look.” Zhang Fuan and the others hurried forward, their eyes fixed on the blackboard. At one glance, everyone was stunned. On the blackboard was a machine they had never seen before: four huge wheels, a towering chimney, complex gears and connecting rods, and something that looked like a plow trailing behind the machine. “Your Majesty, what is this?” “I call it a steam tractor,” Lin Xiao said calmly, and then drew another smaller and more compact drawing next to it. “This is its next form, using an internal combustion engine.” Steam tractor? Everyone pondered over the name, and could barely associate the word “steam” with the roaring giants in mines and factories. But putting wheels on that thing and letting it run in the fields? This… this is simply a fantasy! The “internal combustion engine” next to it is even more like a heavenly book. Zhang Fuan widened his eyes and stared at the iron can marked as “cylinder” by Lin Xiao, as well as the piston and crankshaft connected to it. His brain was working rapidly, trying to understand the principle of this thing, but the more he thought about it, the more confused he became, as if his mind was filled with a tangled mess. “Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance,” Zhang Fuan pointed at the diagram of the internal combustion engine, his face filled with confusion. “This iron can…how can it move? There’s no boiler, no steam. Could it…could it generate energy out of thin air?” Lin Xiao’s mouth corners rose slightly. This was exactly the effect he wanted. He tapped the cylinder diagram with chalk. “Who says there’s no power? This is where the power comes from. Light a fire in the can and make it explode.” boom! These words were more shocking than a bomb exploding in everyone’s mind. Fire and explosion in a tin can? Zhang Fuan was completely stunned. He subconsciously took a step back, as if the drawing on the blackboard would explode at any time. What a joke! Putting gunpowder into a machine and lighting it? That’s not a machine, that’s a cannon! If this thing moves, wouldn’t it blow the person driving it into the sky first? Looking at the expressions of the crowd as if they had seen a ghost, Lin Xiao laughed in his heart. He cleared his throat and began to explain in terms they could understand. “You see, the explosion generates a tremendous thrust, pushing something called a ‘piston’ to move. The piston’s movement is transmitted through the ‘connecting rod’ to the ‘crankshaft’, causing it to rotate. This cycle repeats itself, generating a continuous source of power.” As he spoke, he drew a dynamic decomposition diagram on the blackboard, showing the piston moving up and down, driving the crankshaft to rotate. Those simple lines seemed to be given life in Lin Xiao’s hands. Everyone was shocked at first, but gradually, their expressions changed. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the rotating “crankshaft”, their mouths opened unconsciously, and a “ho ho ” sound came from their throats, as if they had seen a miracle. “So… so that’s how it is…” “Oh my…oh my god, the power of explosion can actually be used like this…” “Turning reciprocation into rotation… this… what a fantastic idea!” Zhang Fuan was fascinated by what he heard. He looked at the exquisite linkage structure on the blackboard and felt that all the carpentry and blacksmithing skills he had learned throughout his life were like children’s graffiti in front of His Majesty’s wisdom. He murmured to himself, his voice trembling slightly: “The Holy Emperor… The Holy Emperor has created a new world for us…” This is no longer the wisdom of mortals, it is the magic of immortals, it is an oracle! Lin Xiao was very satisfied with everyone’s reaction. He put down the chalk, dusted off his hands, and his voice became serious. “I summoned you here today to turn what’s on this blueprint into reality. I’ve named this plan the ‘Iron Ox Project.'” “I order the Institute of Gewu to immediately initiate the ‘Iron Ox Project’, and the Ministry of Industry to fully cooperate! I want you to prioritize building this steam tractor for me! I want it to replace oxen and horses and cultivate the vast fertile fields of our Hua Dynasty!” “I… obey your command!” Zhang Fuan suddenly came to his senses, his face flushed with excitement. He knelt heavily on the ground and kowtowed. “Even if it costs me my life, I will definitely build this ‘Iron Bull’ for Your Majesty!” Chapter 499 Iron Bull Plan The plan was immediately launched with great vigor. The best craftsmen from the entire Academy of Gewu and the Ministry of Works were mobilized, and a special experimental workshop was established. Zhang Fuan even lived and ate in the workshop. He seemed like a madman, leading a group of people to study the drawings and make parts day and night. However, ideals are full of hope, but reality is harsh and harsh. Research and development soon hit a bottleneck. Miniaturizing the steam engine was far more difficult than they had imagined. In order to provide sufficient power, the pressure in the boiler must be maintained at a very high level, but the existing riveting technology and steel strength cannot withstand it. The first prototype had just been ignited and hadn’t started running yet when the boiler connection made a “hiss” sound and spurted out boiling steam, almost scalding the craftsman next to him. The connection problem was solved, but the load bearing problem arose again. The heavy steam engine and boiler were pressed on the simple chassis. The prototype ran less than ten meters on the experimental field before one of the axles broke with a “crack” and the whole body of the car collapsed like a clumsy and paralyzed iron turtle. Failure, failure, failure after failure. The atmosphere in the workshop was horribly oppressive. Zhang Fuan was so anxious that his mouth was covered in blisters, his eyes were bloodshot, and he had lost a lot of weight. He beat and cursed at the pile of unreliable steel parts, but the problem was still not solved. That afternoon, another experiment failed. A newly designed gear was not strong enough and several teeth broke during transmission. The entire “Iron Bull” made a sharp and strange cry and completely stalled. “Waste! All of you are a bunch of waste!” Zhang Fuan looked at the broken gear and was so angry that he was shaking all over. He kicked the huge wheel of the “Iron Bull”, but ended up hurting his toes. The craftsmen were all dejected and dared not say a word. Just then, a calm voice came from the door of the workshop. “Why are you in such a hurry? The sky isn’t falling.” Everyone looked back and saw that Lin Xiao had been standing there without them noticing, looking at their broken prototype with great interest. “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan was shocked and ashamed, and he quickly knelt down. “I am incompetent and have failed Your Majesty’s expectations!” Lin Xiao waved his hand, asking him to stand up. He walked over to the prototype that looked more like a pile of scrap metal, knocking here and there, his brows slightly furrowed. “The boiler is not strong enough, and there are also problems with the sealing of the joints.” Lin Xiao went straight to the core as soon as he opened his mouth. He turned to look at Zhang Fuan, his eyes carrying a hint of advice: “Fuan, you are still using the mindset of a blacksmith to build a machine. You only think about how to make it stronger, but you haven’t thought about why not use better materials?” Zhang Fuan was stunned: “Better material? Your Majesty, this is already refined steel…” “Beyond fine steel, there’s alloy steel.” Lin Xiao’s voice was low, but clearly heard by everyone. “Have you forgotten what I taught you before? Adding manganese and chromium to molten iron can greatly increase the strength and toughness of the steel. Using this special steel to make boilers and high pressure pipes, wouldn’t that solve the problem?” Zhang Fuan was struck by lightning and stood there in a daze. That’s right! Why didn’t he think of that? He was so focused on conquering the mechanical structure that he forgot that His Majesty had already bestowed upon him even more powerful material technology! Lin Xiao pointed at the leaking pipe joints and said, “And here, just tightening isn’t enough. Have you used the rubber? Make a gasket out of it and stuff it into the gaps in the joints. Use its elasticity to seal it, and there’s no need to worry about leaks even at high pressures.” Rubber sealing gasket! Zhang Fuan’s head buzzed, and another door was pushed open. He looked at the emperor who was talking in front of him, and there was only endless awe and admiration in his heart. These difficult problems that had troubled them for dozens of days and made them extremely anxious were, in front of His Majesty, simple issues that could be solved in just a few words. That’s the gap. They were crossing the river by feeling the stones, while Your Majesty had already been standing on the other side of the river, overlooking everything. “I understand!” Zhang Fuan nodded heavily, the dejection in his eyes swept away, replaced by a blazing fire, “I will do it right away!” With Lin Xiao’s personal guidance, the entire “Iron Ox Project” process was instantly fast forwarded. Alloy steel smelting technology was applied, and higher strength boilers and gears were manufactured. Rubber sealing gaskets solve all the stubborn problems of air leakage and pressure leakage. A few weeks later, at the Royal Experimental Farm outside Beijing. A brand new machine was parked steadily in the middle of a vast open space. It is “Iron Bull No. 1”. This thing is huge, wider and thicker than three buffaloes standing side by side. It has no wheels, but instead has two tracks made of pieces of iron plates. The tracks are covered with hideous bumps and are full of brutal power. In the center of the vehicle body, a black chimney rises high, pointing straight to the sky. The entire body is riveted from thick steel plates, shining with a cold metallic luster. Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. Behind him were the entire court of civil and military officials who had rushed over after hearing the news. The chief minister of the cabinet, Song Qinghe, the Minister of Civil Affairs, Li Dequan… all the core ministers, at this moment, looked at the “Iron Ox” in front of them as if they were looking at a monster, with curiosity, suspicion, and even a hint of fear. “Sir Song, this… this iron lump, can it really plow the land?” An official lowered his voice and asked Song Qinghe next to him, “It doesn’t bark or eat grass, but just the way it looks is scary enough. I hope it doesn’t scare the crops to death.” “Shut up!” Song Qinghe glared at him. With His Majesty here, he had absolute confidence in this thing. “The experiment begins.” Lin Xiao gave the order calmly. Zhang Fuan climbed into the driver’s seat himself, his face flushed with excitement. He pulled a valve, and the boiler, already scorching hot, began to work. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” “Iron Bull No. 1” gave a low and powerful roar, and the towering chimney suddenly spewed out a thick stream of steam and black smoke, rising straight into the sky. The officials watching were startled and subconsciously took a few steps back, fearing that the monster would suddenly explode. Zhang Fuan operated the joystick and slowly lowered a special multi share steel plow hanging behind the vehicle body. “Bang!” Five plowshares, shining with cold light, were deeply inserted into the hard ground. “It’s moving! It’s moving!” A cry of surprise came from the crowd. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the tracks of “Iron Bull No. 1” began to turn slowly, driving its huge body forward steadily. The next scene was unforgettable for everyone present. The extremely hard land that required a strong ox to use all its strength to plow was as fragile as a piece of tofu in front of this steel giant. Five deep furrows were turned over in an instant, and the moist new soil was neatly lifted to both sides, forming perfect ridges. There was no panting of cows, no shouting of farmers, only the roar of steam engines. The speed was so fast that it was dazzling. With just one round trip, a large area of land was turned over neatly. How can this be considered farming? This is clearly combing the earth’s hair! Chapter 500 Rakshasa The entire experimental farm was dead silent. All the officials watching were petrified. Their mouths were wide open enough to fit an egg, their eyes glazed over, as if they had just witnessed a deity descend to earth. An elderly official from the Ministry of Rites was so shocked that he didn’t even notice that his official hat had tilted to one side. “Oh…oh my god…” “This…what kind of magic is this…” Zhang Fuan looked at the easily turned over land behind him, his whole body trembling with excitement. He wanted to laugh out loud, but the moment he opened his mouth, tears began to flow. In the end, he could only shout incoherently: “Your Majesty! It’s done! It’s done!” The chief minister of the cabinet, Song Qinghe, no longer cared about his demeanor as a chief minister. His eyes widened as he stared at the work efficiency of the “Iron Ox” and began to mutter rapidly: “A quarter of an hour… a quarter of an hour plows an acre… an hour makes four acres… and if we calculate a day as five hours… that’s twenty acres! One ox and one strong laborer toil tirelessly all day, and they can only plow one or two acres… This… this iron ox is equivalent to more than a dozen oxen and dozens of strong laborers!” The more he calculated, the faster his heart beat, and the redder his face became. What if…what if China had hundreds, thousands of these “iron oxen”? Wouldn’t the entire country’s land be cultivated overnight? How much more labor would be freed up? How much more food could be grown? Song Qinghe was so excited that his eyes rolled back and his body went limp. He almost fainted on the spot. Fortunately, Li Dequan next to him held him up. “Miracle! This is a real miracle!” Li Dequan supported Song Qinghe and was so excited that he burst into tears. After a brief silence, the crowd erupted completely. All the officials, no matter if they had doubts or fears before, now had only fanatical admiration on their faces. They suddenly turned around and knelt down in unison towards the young emperor who was always calm and composed. “The Holy Emperor’s divine power! Recreate the universe!” “Long live our emperor! Long live! Long, long live our emperor!” The roar was like a tsunami, resounding through the sky. Lin Xiao stood there with a calm expression. He ignored the kneeling civil and military officials and simply gave an order to Zhang Fuan, who was still laughing and crying in the driver’s seat: “Pass on my order. The Ministry of Industry immediately mass produces the ‘Iron Ox’, with standardized drawings and processes. The first batch of 50 units will be distributed first to several large state owned farms in the north. We must not delay the spring plowing.” “Your Majesty, I obey your order!” Zhang Fuan stood up straight and roared at the top of his lungs. A few days later, at this moment of national jubilation, an official from the Intelligence Department came to the palace and presented an urgent secret report. The cover of the secret report was black with a falcon ready to take flight printed in red paint, representing the highest level of urgency. Lin Xiao took the secret report and opened the sealing wax. The secret report said that deep in the grasslands, some remnants of the former Altan Khan’s army, led by a small leader named Gelu, had regrouped thousands of cavalry. More importantly, the shadow of the Rakshasa Kingdom appeared behind them. The secret report was accompanied by a blurry photo taken with a telephoto lens. In the photo, several Rakshasa officers with blond hair, blue eyes, high noses and deep eyes were standing with Batu and pointing at a map. They even provided Batu with more than a hundred muskets. Rakshasa Kingdom? Lin Xiao’s eyes turned cold instantly. He could tolerate internal disputes among the grassland tribes, but would never tolerate external forces extending their hands into his territory. “My hand has stretched too far. It needs to be chopped off.” He whispered to himself. Lin Xiao put the secret report away, picked up the phone and shook the handle. “To the Ministry of War, Sun Mingde.” A moment later, Sun Mingde’s loud and excited voice came from the other end of the line: “Your Majesty! What a coincidence! I was just about to ask you if we could equip our logistics department with a few ‘Iron Oxen’. They’re definitely better at pulling artillery than horses!” “Mingde,” Lin Xiao interrupted him, “Don’t think about Tieniu anymore, get ready for battle.” The voice on the other end of the phone suddenly stopped. “Your Majesty, who should we hit?” Sun Mingde’s voice suddenly became excited. “The grassland, the remnants of Batu, and the Rakshasa Kingdom behind them.” “I obey your command!” Sun Mingde’s voice was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath. “I guarantee that I’ll tear off their heads and use them as chamber pots!” “I want your division to immediately formulate a Northern Expedition plan. Utilize the telegraph system and order the northern border corps to enter Level One combat readiness. I want to see the results of the mobilization before nightfall.” “Yes! Your Majesty!” After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao looked at the intelligence officer again and said, “Have your people keep a close eye on this. I want to know the location of every Luosha advisor.” Inside the Ministry of War, Sun Mingde put down the phone, his eyes turning bloodthirsty. He slammed the table and yelled at the officers in the room, “Stop standing there! His Majesty has issued an order to launch a Northern Expedition! Prepare for war!” The entire Ministry of War instantly started running like a fully oiled machine. One by one, the staff officers in charge of communications rushed to the telegraph room and turned short and clear orders into rapid “ticking” sounds through telegraph keys, transmitting them to the northern border thousands of miles away. “Order, North Wind Corps, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Divisions, cancel leave and return to camp.” “Orders, Flying Tigers, 7th Armored Regiment, all tanks and armored vehicles, overhaul, refuel, and restock ammunition.” “Order, Logistics Department, immediately mobilize three bases of ammunition, food, and medicine and transport them to the front line via the Northern Railway Line No. 1.” These orders, which used to take days to deliver by fast horses, now reach border military camps within minutes. Just two hours later, calls came pouring in. “The North Wind Legion has assembled!” “The Flying Tigers are ready!” “Logistical supplies are on the train!” Sun Mingde looked at the summarized report and trembled with excitement. He recalled that when there was no telegraph system, several horses would die on the way from the capital to the border, and it would take a month to go back and forth. And now, it only takes one afternoon from the emperor’s order to the border troops’ assembly. He looked up to the sky and sighed. His admiration for Lin Xiao had gone beyond awe and was close to faith. Imperial study. Lin Xiao looked at the map and slowly slid his finger across the border between the grassland and Rakshasa Kingdom. Song Qinghe worriedly advised, “Your Majesty, it’s just a bunch of rebels. Why do you need to lead the army in person? Just send General Sun. What if…” “There’s no such thing as a one time event.” Lin Xiao interrupted him. “This war is not just for the grasslands to see, but also for the Rakshasa Kingdom to see. I want them to see with their own eyes what happens if they dare to raise a hand against the Hua Dynasty. I want to make them feel the pain, the pain deep in their bones, so that they won’t even have the courage to look at our country for decades.” His tone was calm, but the determination contained in it made Song Qinghe shudder. He knew that His Majesty had made his decision. Chapter 501: Enhance my country’s Prestige That night, the news that Lin Xiao was going to lead the army in person reached the harem. When the girls heard this, their hearts tightened. The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace was somewhat solemn. Liu Weilan was personally preparing a brand new military uniform for Lin Xiao. There was no excessive worry on her face, and her movements were meticulous, as if she was completing a sacred mission. “Your Majesty, this trip will surely enhance the prestige of our country. I will look after this family for you in the palace.” Her voice was soft, but it revealed the calmness of a mother of the country. Agula had a slightly bulging belly, but his face was full of excitement and murderous intent. She walked up to Lin Xiao, stroked the metal fasteners on his military uniform, her eyes shining. “Your Majesty, hit them hard! Those bastards from Luosha Country have been coveting our grassland for a long time! They are no good! Only when they are scared away can the grassland be truly peaceful!” She seemed to have forgotten that she was pregnant and waved her fist excitedly. Then she seemed to remember something, looked down at her belly, and a trace of annoyance appeared on her face. Tuya, who was standing beside her, held her back and said softly to Lin Xiao, “Your Majesty, Agula is right. The wolves of the grassland only fear hunters who are more ferocious than themselves. When you go, you will tell everyone who is the true master of the grassland.” Sakurako and Nana, the Japanese mother and daughter, knelt quietly beside him, preparing luggage for Lin Xiao. There was a mixture of awe and worry in their eyes, and they dared not say much. Lin Xiao looked at the scene in front of him, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. He stretched out his hand and embraced Liu Weilan, Agula, and Tuya one by one. The next morning. The newly built royal railway station in the capital has been placed under full martial law. A jet black steam locomotive quietly parked at its dedicated platform. This was Lin Xiao’s royal train, its carriages constructed from special steel plates and featuring bulletproof glass. The interior was both luxurious and practical, boasting meeting rooms, bedrooms, a dining room, and a combat command room. Lin Xiao, dressed in military uniform, walked onto the platform surrounded by women. “Let’s all go back.” Lin Xiao looked at the reluctance in their eyes and smiled. He didn’t say much, just hugged each of them gently. Finally, he turned around and strode onto the special train. “Woo——!” The long and loud whistle broke the tranquility of the capital. The wheels rubbed against the rails, making a heavy “clang” sound. The huge steam locomotive spewed out thick white smoke, driving the entire train, slowly accelerating, and galloping towards the vast north. Northern grasslands. In Gru’s tent, he sat restlessly, occasionally lifting the curtain and looking towards the south, his eyes filled with lingering fear. Ever since Lin Xiao conquered the grassland, that man has become an indelible nightmare for all grassland tribes. “Gru, my friend, you have less courage than a prairie gopher.” A rough voice sounded, with a thick Rakshasa accent. The speaker was Ivan, a military advisor sent by the Russian Empire, a burly man nearly two meters tall with a red beard that looked like a ball of fire. He was slowly wiping his saber with an oilcloth, the blade reflecting a cold light under the dim oil lamp. “General Ivan, you don’t know how terrifying Lin Xiao is…” Gru’s voice trembled a little. “Terrible?” Ivan laughed dully, his chest shaking violently. “All I know is that our Cossack sabers can chop off anyone’s head. The emperors of the south are nothing but softies hiding under women’s skirts. Their armies, like their silk, can be torn apart with a single poke.” He stood up, his huge figure almost bursting the tent. He pointed at the Cossacks outside the tent who were drinking, wrestling and fighting, his face full of arrogance. “See? This is a true warrior! We fought our way here from the icy plains of the far north, relying on horses and courage! Once we conquer the southern capital, all the gold and women will be ours!” He seized an old fashioned musket leaning against the edge of the tent and patted the butt contemptuously: “This and the saber are enough.” Sino North Korean border. “Woo——” The long and sharp sound of the whistle tore through the tranquility of the grassland. A train, spewing thick white steam, slowly stopped at the end of the track. This scene frightened the Rakshasa spies who were in charge of reconnaissance in the distance so much that they almost fell off their horses. They had never seen such a huge steel monster. The doors opened, and teams of Chinese soldiers in dark uniforms walked off the train in unison. Then, something even more terrifying was pushed off the flatbed truck. They were brand new breech loading cannons, their barrels pitch black, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen. They were made of alloy steel mixed with a special material. Unlike the bulky and crude bronze cannons of the Rakshasa people, these cannons appeared to be extremely delicate, especially the complex opening and closing device at the breech, which looked like a tightly closed iron mouth. A shorter, more menacing weapon was also set up. It had multiple barrels arranged side by side, with a huge ammunition box connected to the back. The long ammunition belt gleamed with the luster of brass. It was an early type of heavy machine gun, called “Fire Dragon Plow” by the soldiers. Ivan soon got the news too. “An army arriving in iron dragons?” He laughed heartily after hearing the spy’s report, tears streaming down his face. “Southern women, they still ride in carriages to fight! Pass the order, assemble the troops! Show these Southerners what real cavalry is!” The horns of the grassland coalition army sounded. Thousands of Cossacks and steppe riders gathered and began to slowly move in front of the battle formation. The dull thud of their horses’ hooves on the ground gathered into a thunderous roar. “charge!” Ivan drew his saber and pointed it forward. “Hurrah!” The Cossack cavalry let out earth shaking shouts and rushed towards the thin Chinese army formation in the distance like a flood. The sound of horse hooves was deafening and the earth was shaking. In their view, such a traditional, destructive mass charge was enough to crush any infantry phalanx. Inside the command carriage of the royal train. Lin Xiao was holding a pair of high powered binoculars, observing the battlefield with a calm expression. The carriage was unusually calm, and no noise outside could be heard. Only a few staff officers were quickly marking data on the map. “Your Majesty, the enemy has entered the designated artillery range.” A staff officer reported. Lin Xiao put down the telescope and picked up the telephone handle on the table. His voice was calm without a trace of emotion. “Command, Zone A, three rounds of rapid fire. Go ahead.” The moment the order was given. Behind the Huachao army, dozens of breech loading cannons roared at the same time. Boom! Boom! Boom! The gunners expertly opened the breech blocks, stuffed the shiny shells in, slammed them shut, and pulled the trigger cord. The whole process was smooth and surprisingly fast. The shells whistled sharply, cutting through the sky and accurately hitting the center of the charging cavalry group. Chapter 502: Punishment Despite Distance The next second, the earth was torn apart. The explosions sounded one after another, and flames and black smoke rose into the sky. The Cossack cavalrymen who were rushing in the front were blown into the air by the huge shock wave, along with their horses, and then torn into pieces by countless high speed flying shrapnel. Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and broken limbs and horse remains were scattered everywhere. In an instant, huge, bloody holes were blown into the airtight charging formation. Ivan, who was charging forward with a roar and waving his saber, suddenly had his smile frozen on his face. He stared blankly at the hell on earth in front of him, his mind blank. What kind of artillery fire is this? How could it be so fast? How could it be so accurate? Before he could recover from the shock of the first round of shelling, the second and third rounds of shells arrived. The explosions became more frequent, as if the entire sky was pouring down steel and flames. The once invincible charging formation collapsed in just a few dozen breaths. Countless cavalrymen were turned into charred fragments before they could even see the enemy’s face. The war horses fell down with a neigh, and the surviving cavalrymen were seized by great fear. Some of them pulled the reins in a daze, while others rolled off the horses directly, trying to find any place to hide. In the command carriage of the royal train, Lin Xiao didn’t even put down his binoculars. He looked at the chaotic scene in the telescope, and an almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. “Your Majesty, the enemy’s formation is in disarray and their morale is on the verge of collapse.” The staff officer’s voice was filled with suppressed excitement. Lin Xiao picked up the phone, his voice still calm. “Orders, heavy machine gun positions, free fire. Let them see what a ‘Fire Dragon Plow’ is.” “yes!” The order was transmitted to the front line instantly through the telephone line. The heavy machine gunners, who had been ready for a long time, pulled the bolt hard and sent the yellow bullets into the barrel. “Fire!” Following the commander’s order. Dadadadada——! More than a dozen heavy machine guns known as “Fire Dragon Plows” spewed out deadly tongues of fire at the same time. Countless bullet casings poured out from the side of the gun like a golden waterfall, quickly piling up into small hills on the ground. A crossfire network consisting of more than a dozen heavy machine guns quickly swept across the entire battlefield. The bullet drew a straight line of death in the air at a speed that was difficult to capture with the naked eye. The cavalry, who had just survived the bombardment and were trying to regroup, ran head on into this storm of steel. Puff puff puff——! The sounds of bullets hitting flesh were continuous and dense, making people’s scalps numb. The cavalryman in the front had more than a dozen bloody holes in his body in an instant, and flew backwards like a torn sack. Men and horses were torn to pieces in the hail of bullets. Blood and flesh splattered in the air. The scene was even more brutal and direct than the previous bombardment. That’s not a fight, it’s a harvest. The courage, superb riding skills and sharp sabers that the cavalrymen were proud of seemed ridiculous and pathetic in the face of this web of death. They fell in large sections like wheat harvested by a sickle. Ivan’s eyes almost popped out of his head, and his red beard stood on end with extreme fear. “Devil… This is the devil’s witchcraft!” He screamed in Rakshasa language. He had fought in the military all his life, but had never seen such a terrifying weapon. The steel monster that spewed flames was simply beyond human control. “Retreat! Retreat quickly!” He roared at the top of his lungs, trying to rally the troops. But it was too late. The soldiers were already frightened by the hellish scene of massacre, and their morale completely collapsed. They threw away their sabers and turned their horses around desperately, wanting only to escape from this land of death. The remnants of Altan Khan reacted faster than the Russians. When the first round of artillery fire fell, the figure of the man appeared in their minds, and the fear of being armed with muskets appeared. Seeing the “power” of the heavy machine gun at this moment, they were even more frightened and didn’t even care about their leader’s orders. They screamed and took the lead to flee backwards. Their flight was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The entire coalition army completely collapsed, and everyone was fleeing in a panic. However, how can two legs outrun a flying bullet? The roar of the heavy machine guns never stopped, chasing the deserters’ backs and reaping one life after another. The battle, or rather the massacre, was over in less than a quarter of an hour. Thousands of mutilated corpses and wailing war horses were left on the grassland, and the air was filled with thick smoke and the smell of blood, which was nauseating. The Huachao army did not suffer any casualties. Lin Xiao put down the telescope and said to Sun Mingde beside him: “Clean up the battlefield. Bring back a living captured Luosha officer.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” Sun Mingde saluted excitedly, turned around and strode away. Soon, Ivan, covered in blood and with his armor torn, was dragged into the command carriage of the royal train by two Chinese soldiers like a dead dog. The moment he stepped into the carriage, he was stunned. Outside was a hell on earth with rivers of blood, but inside the carriage, there was soft wool carpet, exquisite paintings hung on the smooth wooden walls, and even a faint scent of tea wafted in the air. The young emperor, whom he called a “Southern softie”, was sitting leisurely on a leather sofa, sipping tea slowly. His eyes were as calm as a bottomless lake, as if the earth shattering massacre just now was just a boring rural drama to him. This extreme contrast made Ivan feel a chill deep in his bones. He was trembling all over and looking at Lin Xiao as if he was looking up at a high and mighty god or demon. With a “thump”, he could no longer hold on, his legs went soft, and he fell to his knees. Lin Xiao put down the teacup and glanced at him, as if he was looking at an ant on the side of the road. “What’s your name?” Lin Xiao asked in standard Rakshasa language. Ivan was shocked and even more terrified. The other party could even speak their language! “My name is Ivan… Ivan Petrovich…” he stammered. “Ivan,” Lin Xiao said calmly, “your Tsar sent you here to die. How much pension did he give you?” Ivan’s face instantly turned purple, and the mixture of humiliation and fear made him unable to utter a word. Lin Xiao stood up, walked slowly in front of him, and looked down at him. “Go back and give your Tsar a message.” “This grassland, and the area a thousand miles to the north, is the territory of our Hua Dynasty. My people graze and live here.” “Tell him to control his hands and not overreach. Otherwise, next time, my ‘Iron Dragon’ will drive directly to the gate of his palace.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty and cold murderous intent. “Anyone who dares to lay hands on an inch of our Hua Dynasty’s land…” He paused and said word by word: “Even if they are far away, they will be punished!” Chapter 503 Sanitary Renovation When Ivan Petrovich was dragged out, he was like a puddle of mud, and he kept muttering “devil” and “iron dragon”. Lin Xiao didn’t look at him again. There is no point in talking to a jackal. The only way is to beat it until its bones break and it becomes incontinent the moment it sees you. Only then will it understand what fear is. The royal train blew its whistle and slowly headed south. Inside the carriage, it was warm as spring, with the aroma of tea wafting through the air. It seemed like two different worlds compared to the blood soaked grassland outside the window. At the same time, the news of the great victory of the Northern Expedition had spread throughout the capital via telegram. In just half an hour, the entire capital was in an uproar. As the Huachao Daily was printed at an expedited pace, newspapers with the aroma of ink were waved by newsboys and rushed into the streets. “Breaking News! Breaking News! The Holy Emperor leads the army in person to defeat the Rakshasas! Raise our nation’s prestige!” “Great victory in the North! Our army completely wiped out the enemy with zero casualties!” The entire capital city was in an uproar. People poured out of shops, houses and workshops, gathered on the streets, and scrambled for newspapers. When they saw the accurate battle report and read the sentence “Whoever dares to lay his hands on an inch of our Hua Dynasty’s territory will be punished, no matter how far away they are”, an indescribable sense of pride and enthusiasm gushed out from everyone’s heart. “Long live the Holy Emperor!” I don’t know who shouted first, but soon after, the thunderous shouts resounded in every corner of the capital. The sound of firecrackers rang out from all directions, one after another, and continued for a long time, as if it were the New Year. In the teahouse, the storyteller narrated the imaginary battle scene with saliva flying; In the restaurant, the scholars and writers were so excited that their faces turned red. They wrote poems on the spot to praise the martial arts of the Holy Emperor. Their eyes looking towards the imperial palace were filled with awe and admiration. This young Holy Emperor not only gave them a rich and stable life, but also gave them an empire so powerful that it made the barbarians tremble in fear, and gave them unprecedented dignity! In the imperial palace, in the harem. When the news of victory came, the women’s hearts finally settled down, replaced by endless joy and pride. “I knew that my husband would be successful immediately if he took action!” Yan Ruoxi hugged her daughter Lin Xin and spun around excitedly. “I’ve heard that the Rakshasa Kingdom is located in the far north and is extremely fierce. I never thought they would be so vulnerable in front of your Majesty’s heavenly soldiers.” Liu Ruyan gently stroked her daughter Zhou Meir’s hair, with a strange light in her beautiful eyes. Agula and Tuya were so excited that they could hardly control themselves. They knew better than anyone else the encroachment and threat posed by the Rakshasa Kingdom to the grassland. Lin Xiao’s battle not only established the prestige of the Hua Dynasty, but also cleared the hidden dangers that had existed for a hundred years on the grassland. “Your Majesty, you are the true Gray Wolf God of the grassland!” Agula stroked his bulging belly, his eyes full of pride. This man, with his invincible force, completely conquered her body and soul. Tuya even clasped her hands together and prayed silently to the sky, thanking Changshengtian for giving the grassland such an omnipotent master. As the mistress of the harem, Liu Weilan was also agitated, but she behaved the most calmly. She commanded the palace maids and eunuchs in an orderly manner, and set up a grand celebration banquet in the palace to prepare for Lin Xiao’s triumphant return. A few days later, when the royal train that Lin Xiao was riding slowly pulled into the capital station, he was greeted by a sea of enthusiastic people. He was dressed in military uniform and walked out of the carriage with an upright posture and a calm expression, as if he was just going out for an ordinary hunt. He enjoyed the cheers of the people and the tenderness of the women after returning to the palace, which was a mixture of admiration, love and longing. After the tenderness, it was late at night and everyone was asleep. Lin Xiao embraced Tuya’s plump and mature body, feeling her genuine obedience and attachment, and felt comfortable in his heart. “Ding! Tuya’s favorability detected +10, now reaching 46.” “Ding! Agula’s favorability detected +5, now reaching 75.” “Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability detected +5, now reaching 112.” A series of system prompts made Lin Xiao feel happier. It’s time to draw again. Without hesitation, he silently said in his mind: “Lottery.” The familiar roulette wheel spun rapidly before my eyes, radiating light. After a moment, the light froze, and a thick book emitting soft blue light was quietly suspended in the center of the roulette wheel. “Modern Urban Planning and Public Health System Upgraded Edition”. Lin Xiao was stunned at first, and then a huge surge of ecstasy surged in his heart. Upgraded version! The knowledge he had previously acquired had enabled him to establish a health department and plan preliminary sewage pipelines. What kind of surprises will this “upgraded version” bring? The next moment, a torrent of knowledge, much larger and more sophisticated than any before, poured into his brain. If the previous knowledge drew a rough sketch of the city for him, then this time, the system directly engraved a complete engineering blueprint, accurate to every screw, into his soul! The underground of the city is no longer just a simple dual pipe system for sewage and water supply. Instead, it is divided into five major pipeline systems: rainwater, sewage, water supply, electricity, and communications. The material, diameter, slope, and burial depth of each pipeline are calculated accurately to the millimeter. The tap water purification process is no longer a simple sedimentation and filtration process. Instead, new features have been added: screen decontamination after taking water from the river, coagulation reaction, sedimentation tank, multi layer filter media filtration tank, and the most critical one liquid chlorine disinfection! He even mastered the chemical process of producing liquid chlorine, which meant that he could provide truly sterile drinking water for the people of the entire empire! Garbage disposal is no longer just landfill. Instead, a complete set of solutions has emerged, including scientific garbage classification, transfer stations, incineration power plants, and leachate treatment. The hospital system is no longer a vague concept. Instead, it has become a concrete plan for building a three tiered medical network consisting of central hospitals, community clinics, and epidemic prevention stations, with detailed plans for each department, the ratio of medical staff to nurses, the standards for sterile operating rooms, and the process for handling medical waste. Lin Xiao closed his eyes comfortably. In his mind, an ideal future city was rising from the ground. Clean streets, fresh air, clean water flowing out of every tap in every household, and a comprehensive medical system means that people no longer have to fear common diseases… He knew very well that the biggest enemy of ancient cities was never foreign invasion, but the ubiquitous “dirt, disorder and poor conditions”. Poor sanitary conditions and water sources contaminated by feces and garbage are breeding grounds for plague. An outbreak of smallpox or cholera could turn a prosperous capital into a hell on earth with nine out of ten houses empty. And now, what he holds in his hand is the divine weapon that can cut off the source of all these disasters! This is not just about improving the quality of life, it is about laying the most solid health foundation for the continuation of the entire civilization! Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, with an unprecedented light flashing in his eyes. He decided to start an unprecedented massive project immediately. Starting from the capital, this empire will be completely transformed to set up a model of “paradise on earth” for the whole world! Chapter 504: Rebuilding the Capital The next morning, Lin Xiao, who had just gotten up from his comfortable life, was in high spirits and summoned the Minister of Civil Affairs Li Dequan and the Minister of Works Zhang Fuan. These two people are now Lin Xiao’s right hand men in implementing new policies and developing industry. One is in charge of people and land, and the other is in charge of technical construction. They cooperate more and more tacitly. “Your Majesty, you summoned us here, but what magical object do you want to make?” As soon as Zhang Fuan entered the door, he rubbed his hands with his eyes shining. Now, if he doesn’t come across some new drawings for a day, he feels uncomfortable all over and always feels that something is missing in his life. Li Dequan was much more steady. After bowing, he stood quietly aside, waiting for Lin Xiao’s instructions. Lin Xiao smiled and said nothing. He just walked to a huge wooden table and suddenly lifted the velvet covering it. “hiss ” Zhang Fuan and Li Dequan took a deep breath at the same time, and their eyes widened instantly. Spread out on the table was a behemoth made up of more than a dozen huge drawings a complete map of the capital’s underground. However, what was drawn in the picture was not anything they were familiar with. Dense, crisscrossing lines, like the blood vessels and meridians of the human body, spread across every corner of the capital. These lines were divided into several colors, such as red, blue, and gray, and gathered into strange nodes, and then branched out, marked with various symbols and numbers that they could not understand. “Diameter”, “slope”, “sedimentation tank”, “main pipe network”… Zhang Fuan, the Minister of Works and the chief craftsman of the Hua Dynasty, felt that his brain was totally inadequate at this moment. He stared at the complicated structural diagrams and felt dizzy. This… the thing drawn in this picture is a hundred times more complicated than the most sophisticated crossbow and steam engine combined! Li Dequan was sweating profusely as he read it. He couldn’t understand the technical details, but he understood the scope of the map. This map covered the entire capital! The lines on the map were buried underground in every street, every market town, and even every household! He finally couldn’t help it and pointed at the drawing, his voice trembling. “Your Majesty…you…you seem to be hollowing out the entire capital’s underground? Won’t these…the houses collapse?” Just thinking about the scale of the project made his scalp tingle. How much manpower and resources would this require? If the entire city were excavated, how would the people survive? How would the businesses operate? Would it require mobilizing more than 100,000 laborers? This… this would likely lead to widespread public outrage! Lin Xiao looked at his expression that looked like the sky was falling, but instead of being annoyed, he smiled. He shook his head, picked up a thin wooden stick, and tapped the blue lines on the drawing. “Uncle Dequan, look, this line I call the ‘tap water network.’ Its function is to deliver clean water treated by the purification plant outside the city to every kitchen in the city. From now on, the people of the capital will no longer have to go to the well to draw water, nor will they have to drink river water that may be mixed with impurities. All they have to do is turn on a faucet, and out comes clean water that is drinkable directly.” He moved the pole back to the gray line. “This is the ‘sewage pipe network.’ Its function is to collect the fecal water from every household’s toilet and dirty kitchen water through these sealed underground pipes and send them far away to the sewage treatment plant outside the city. From then on, there will be no more stinking manure trucks in the capital, and no more ditches overflowing with sewage.” Lin Xiao’s voice was very calm, but to Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan, it sounded like thunder in the plain. The two were completely stunned. They stood there with their mouths open, unable to utter a word for a long time. Li Dequan’s body began to tremble slightly. He thought of the “diarrhea epidemic” that would always break out in the city’s slums every summer, killing a large number of people. Zhang Fuan thought more specifically. He thought about the materials of the pipes, cement, steel, how to fire ceramic pipes, and how to ensure the sealing of the interfaces… The fanaticism in his eyes became more and more intense. After a long moment, Li Dequan finally found his voice. His lips trembled, tears welled up in his old eyes, and he asked in a hoarse voice, “Your Majesty… you… you do all this just so that the people… can drink clean water and get sick less often?” Their Holy Emperor actually considered things so deeply, so…meticulously. This is no longer loving the people like one’s own children. This is like raising all the people in the world as if they were your own hungry and hungry children! “thump!” Li Dequan and Zhang Fuan knelt down again at the same time and bowed deeply to Lin Xiao. “The Holy Emperor cares so much about the people, he is truly a saintly monarch unprecedented in history! I…will accomplish this even if I die!” Zhang Fuan roared in a muffled voice and knocked his forehead heavily to the ground. Lin Xiao accepted the greeting calmly. He helped the two men up and said in a deep voice, “This matter concerns the foundation of our country and the future of our Hua Dynasty. It is a massive undertaking and will inevitably attract criticism. But no matter what, it must be carried out!” “The Ministry of Industry is responsible for the production of all pipelines and the research and development of construction technology. The Ministry of Civil Affairs is responsible for allocating manpower and pacifying the people.” “Work for relief. All people involved in the project will be provided with food and double their wages!” “My lord, I obey the order!” The two men took the order and left in a hurry, with a determination in their backs that said, “I will go forward even if there are thousands of people against me.” Soon, an unprecedented massive project began in the capital. “Clang! Clang!” “Hey, hey! Hey, hey!” The entire capital city was transformed into a vast construction site, with bustling streets dug up, revealing deep trenches. Thousands of laborers, under the command of the foreman, were waving shovels and pickaxes and working enthusiastically. Truckloads of fired cement pipes and ceramic pipes were transported to various construction sites. Dust was flying and the noise was deafening. At first, the people were enthusiastic because of the double wages and full meals. But as time went on, various complaints began to emerge. “This road has been dug up. How can I run my business?” “It’s making so much noise every day that it’s giving me a headache. How can I even sleep?” “It’s a waste of time and money to dig up a good street into this mess!” Some officials who claimed to be upright also began to write letters to Lin Xiao, earnestly advising him that this move would be extremely costly and would seriously affect the normal operation of the capital, so it would be better to postpone it. However, all the complaints and memorials fell on deaf ears. Lin Xiao stood on the highest observatory in the imperial palace, overlooking the city that had been “ripped apart”, his expression expression expressionless. He knew that any great change would inevitably be accompanied by pain. What he had to do was to endure this temporary chaos and criticism in exchange for a worry free future for his empire. Time passed quietly amid the tinkling sounds and the dust. Several months later, with massive manpower, material resources and reckless investment, the first phase of the capital’s transformation was finally completed. In the east of the city, a water plant covering hundreds of acres and consisting of countless huge sedimentation tanks and filtration tanks has sprung up. In the city, the dug up streets were repaved with smooth cement roads. Only the round iron covers that appeared at regular intervals on the roadside indicated the great changes that had taken place underground. Chapter 505: Magic Water The first year of the Hua Dynasty, autumn. In the capital, the turbid air that had lingered for hundreds of years seemed to be completely cleansed overnight. Wang Tiezhu is now also a Beijing resident. Thanks to the Holy Emperor, his son Wang Gousheng was among the first batch to enter the bicycle factory. Because he was dexterous and quick witted, he was transferred to the main factory in the capital as a team leader. The whole family also moved into a newly planned residential area in the capital. At this moment, Wang Tiezhu was standing in his own yard, standing straight, wiping his hands repeatedly on his brand new coarse cloth clothes, as if he was about to perform an extremely sacred ceremony. In front of him was a shiny brass lump sticking out of the wall, with a handle on top that could be turned. People in the Ministry of Industry call this a “faucet”. “Dad, just twist it!” Wang Gousheng was scratching his head anxiously. “The master in the Ministry of Industry said that if you twist it, water will come out. It’s a hundred times cleaner than before!” Wang Tiezhu’s daughter in law Zhang was also holding Hu Zi, standing by the door, looking at him nervously and curiously. “Don’t rush me!” Wang Tiezhu glared at his son, took a deep breath, and finally stretched out his old, calloused hand and grasped the cold brass handle. He didn’t dare to use too much force, as if he was afraid of breaking this magical treasure. He just used his fingertips to turn it slowly and carefully. “Clatter—” A stream of clear water suddenly gushed out from the faucet, sparkling with crystal luster in the morning light, like broken gems. There was not a trace of turbidity, not a single odor, only the crisp sound of water hitting the stone trough below. Wang Tiezhu froze, his old eyes wide open, his mouth wide open, his throat making a hoarse sound, but he couldn’t utter a word. This…this water… This is cleaner than the clearest mountain spring he has ever seen! “Water! Grandpa, it’s water!” Little Tiger clapped his hands excitedly. Wang Tiezhu seemed to be awakened. He suddenly stretched out his hands, clumsily put them under the faucet, and scooped up a handful of water. The water was cold, washing over the lines on his palms. He could clearly see every palm line underwater, which was absolutely unimaginable before. Trembling, he brought his hand to his mouth and carefully tasted it. A refreshing sweetness instantly melts on the tip of the tongue, slides down the throat, and brings a refreshing comfort. No muddy smell, no bitterness, just the pure taste of water. Wang Tiezhu’s eyes suddenly turned red. He recalled that when he was in his hometown, the villagers had to drink muddy river water all year round, and stomach upsets and illnesses were commonplace. He also recalled those years when people had to queue for an hour by the well just to get a bucket of slightly cleaner water. But now… He looked at the clear water flowing out continuously, which was like a spring falling from the sky, inexhaustible. With a “plop” sound. Without any warning, Wang Tiezhu knelt on his knees and kowtowed heavily in the direction of the imperial palace. “Holy Emperor…Holy Emperor’s grace!” He choked and his voice was hoarse. Two lines of hot old tears rolled down the wrinkles on his face and hit the bluestone slabs under his feet. “This is truly… a life like a god’s… My life… is worth it…” Wang Gousheng and Zhang’s eyes also turned red, and they knelt down, facing the direction of the imperial palace, their hearts filled with unspeakable gratitude and awe. The same scene is being played out in the courtyards of thousands of households in the capital. And what has changed is far more than just drinking water. Several new public toilets have been built in every block. Inside are smooth tiles and a white ceramic toilet. Just press the flush valve and all the dirt will disappear without a trace with the vortex, flowing through the underground pipes to the sewage treatment plant outside the city. The air in the capital is fresher than ever before. The people have gone from initially complaining and being confused about the city wide excavation to now expressing their heartfelt support and pride. Walking on the smooth and clean cement road, looking at the faucets in their yards that could always flow out clean water, and living in a city without odors, they truly understood what the Holy Emperor’s grand plan of “rebuilding the capital” meant. This is not a waste of money and time, it is clearly recreating the world! Early in the morning, on the streets of Beijing. The scenes of sewage flowing everywhere and foul smells in the past have completely become history. The air was filled with the aroma of food from the breakfast shop and the fragrance of soil. At the street corner, next to the newly built public water station, people were happily queuing up, carrying wooden buckets. The line is not long because most people have installed independent faucets at home. Most of the people who come here to get water are single renters or small vendors. Even so, the team remained in good order, and everyone’s face was filled with a sense of peace and satisfaction. Wang Tiezhu also joined the queue, carrying a bucket. He hadn’t come here to fetch water necessarily; he simply wanted to walk around and soak up the atmosphere of this new life. He easily filled a bucket with water. The sunlight shone on the water, making it sparkle and crystal clear. “Tsk tsk,” Wang Tiezhu sighed in ecstasy as he looked at the bucket. “You see, life is like this, even the water is damn sweet!” A man in the queue next to him immediately echoed loudly, “That’s right! Uncle Wang, you haven’t seen it, my wife is now holding a kettle and drinking it every day, saying that this water nourishes people and is better than any panacea!” “Hahaha!” Everyone around laughed. A child with a schoolbag on his back, who had just finished school, ran to the faucet, drank several sips directly from the water with his hands, wiped his mouth, and shouted to his father: “Dad, this water is much sweeter than the water in our well!” His father smiled and patted his head: “Silly boy, our well has been filled up a long time ago! From now on, we will drink the ‘magic water’ awarded by the Holy Emperor!” Everyone was talking excitedly. “If you ask me, throughout the dynasties, which emperor has ever cared about such trivial matters as drinking water and defecating for us ordinary people? They were all thinking about how to collect taxes and how to fight wars!” “That’s right! Our Holy Emperor truly treats us as human beings, as his own family! He only wants us to live comfortably and long lives!” “I used to hear people say that the Holy Emperor was a deity from heaven, but I didn’t quite believe it. Now I completely believe it! Who else but a deity has the ability to transform the capital, which is like a stinking ditch, into a heavenly palace?” Wang Tiezhu felt a strong sense of pride in his heart as he listened to the praises from those around him. He straightened his back, looking at the rows of roofs and the towering outline of the imperial palace in the distance. The awe in his eyes had completely transformed into an indestructible belief. He knew that this young Holy Emperor had not only changed the Li family’s world. He is truly recreating a new world for these ant like common people. Chapter 506: A Room Full of Tenderness Imperial Palace, Imperial Study. The hall was so quiet that the only sounds that could be heard were the occasional sound of wind blowing past the window and Li Dequan’s slightly heavy breathing. The Minister of Civil Affairs, a senior official of the Hua Dynasty, was holding a thin memorial in both hands, but his old hands were shaking violently, as if they were holding a heavy weight. His old face flushed red, not because of nervousness, but because of an extreme and uncontrollable excitement. “Your Majesty…” Li Dequan spoke, his voice hoarse and with obvious tremors. Lin Xiao, dressed in casual clothes, leaned casually on the dragon throne, his eyes fixed calmly on him, motioning him to continue. Li Dequan took a deep breath, as if he had exhausted all his strength, to steady himself and report loudly: “Your Majesty! The capital… the capital’s renovation project is showing initial results!” He flipped open the memorial and pointed at the data marked with charcoal and red ink. His voice grew louder and louder, almost breaking with excitement. “Your Majesty! According to joint statistics from the Health Department, various medical clinics, and pharmacies in the capital, since the city’s water and sewage pipes were put into operation, in just one month, the incidence of diarrhea, vomiting, dysentery, and other illnesses caused by drinking unclean water and the growth of filth within the city has plummeted by 90%! A full 90%, Your Majesty!” This number, like a bolt of thunder, struck Li Dequan’s heart hard, and filled the world in his eyes with complete shock. He put down the memorial, as if he could no longer endure this kneeling posture. He took a sudden step forward, knelt directly on the ground, and leaned over. “Your Majesty, this old minister… on behalf of the millions of people in the capital, and on behalf of all the people of the world, I thank Your Majesty for your grace!” Li Dequan’s voice was filled with tears. “Do you know? Before this time, the Huichun Hall in the south of the city would see over a hundred patients a day just for diarrhea. Now, they barely see ten! At the charity cemetery in the west of the city, children who had died of illness were sent there every day in the fall, but this month… this month, most of the people who have been sent there are elderly people who have passed away!” “This water is not ordinary water, it is the sweet rain that brings countless lives!” “This underground pipeline is not a ditch, it is a sword that will cut off the plague god!” As Li Dequan spoke, he banged his forehead heavily on the cold and hard gold brick, making a dull “bang” sound. As the Shangshu in charge of people’s livelihood, he knew better than anyone that this seemed to be just a “small matter” of solving the people’s drinking water, defecation and urination, but what it represented was a tremendous merit. There are countless lives that should have been lost in illness, and countless families that should have been broken apart. Throughout the dynasties, emperors and generals have sought nothing more than to expand territory and leave their names in history. But who has ever been like the young Holy Emperor before him, casting his gaze towards the most humble and filthy corners, seeking the most fundamental well being for all people in a way they could never even imagine? This is the act of a true saint, which will benefit all people and last for thousands of years! Lin Xiao quietly looked at Li Dequan, who was lying on the ground with tears in his eyes, his face still as calm as a still pond. He didn’t help her, nor did he say too many soothing words, he just nodded gently. “I understand.” These four simple words were spoken so calmly as if one was just listening to a trivial matter. But deep in his heart, an indescribable feeling of comfort, like the strongest liquor, instantly rushed to his head and swept through his limbs and bones. Conquering the world and ruling the country is a strong feeling, but it will eventually become dull over time. But at this moment, the satisfaction brought by changing the world with one’s own hands, reversing the fate of countless people, completely trampling a dirty and corrupt old era underfoot, and establishing a new, healthy and vibrant new order is a more advanced and pure ultimate enjoyment. This is more intoxicating than beheading generals and seizing flags on the battlefield, or than having power over the world in the court. He enjoyed this feeling, and after a moment, he slowly spoke with unquestionable majesty. “Pass on my decree. Using the capital as a model, establish a special project department within the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Health to develop a standardized diagram of this tap water and urban sewage system. Within three years, I want all prefectures and cities in the Hua Dynasty, and within five years, all county towns, to have this ‘magic water’ available to the people.” Upon hearing this, Li Dequan suddenly looked up, his whole body trembled violently, and an unbelievable light flashed in his eyes. He looked at the figure on the dragon throne, opened his mouth, and in the end all his words turned into an even more forceful kowtow. “Your Majesty… obeys your command! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!” In the harem, in Agula’s bedroom, it was warm and cozy. The finest benzoin burned quietly in the animal head copper censer in the corner, emitting a peaceful and soothing scent. The prairie princess who once burned like a raging fire on horseback was now lazily leaning on a soft couch covered with thick white fox fur. She was wearing a loose and soft silk palace dress, with her long black hair casually draped over her shoulders. She lacked her usual heroic aura, but had a touch of breathtaking tenderness. Her hands were caressing her slightly bulging belly gently and lovingly, and the glow on her face was brighter than the warmest sunshine on the grassland. That is the happiness and pride of becoming a mother, pure and touching. “Come, drink slowly, it’s still a little hot.” A gentle voice sounded. Liu Weilan carried a small white jade porcelain bowl, walked slowly to the couch, and sat down carefully. She gently stirred the dark brown medicine in the bowl with a silver spoon, blew on it, and then handed the porcelain bowl to Agula. “The imperial physician said that this pregnancy maintaining soup is the most warming and nourishing, and it is good for both you and the prince.” Her expression was gentle and concerned, and there was no impurity in her eyes, as if the woman in front of her who was pregnant with her husband’s child was her closest sister. The Queen of Zhou, who was once high and mighty and the mother of the country, now willingly prepares medicine and serves soup for her love rival. Everything seems so natural. Agula looked at her, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude. She took the porcelain bowl and sipped obediently, muttering, “Sister Weilan, you are the imperial concubine now. Just let the palace maids do these things. Why do you have to do it yourself?” Upon hearing this, Liu Weilan only smiled faintly, reached out to help her tidy up the loose hair on her temples, and said softly: “We are both His Majesty’s women, and now we have an imperial heir, so we are naturally one family. We are one family, so we should not have different opinions.” Not far away, Tuya was picking out some colorful and soft fabrics with Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, as if they were preparing clothes for their unborn baby. They gathered together from time to time, laughing in low voices and discussing patterns and styles. The atmosphere was so harmonious that it made people feel at ease. This small palace brought together the princess of the grassland, the queen of the Great Zhou, and the mother and daughter of Japan. They were once enemies, captives, and high ranking rulers. But now, they only have one common identity. Lin Xiao’s woman. And that man, with his god like power, not only conquered their country, but also conquered their hearts, turning all their pride, hatred, and unwillingness into the tenderness that filled the room at this moment. Chapter 507: In Hand Lin Xiao stepped into the bedroom, and the warmth and peaceful fragrance of the palace hit him in the face. He saw this picture at a glance, which made him feel extremely comfortable. Agula, the once fiery prairie princess, was now lazily leaning on the couch, stroking her belly, her face filled with a soft glow. Meanwhile, Liu Weilan, the former queen of the Great Zhou, was chatting and laughing with Tuya, the princess of the grassland, and Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter from Japan, while selecting soft fabrics. As soon as their eyes fell on Lin Xiao, the harmonious and warm atmosphere in the hall instantly became fanatical. All the women stopped what they were doing almost at the same time and stood up together. Their beautiful eyes were instantly filled with the same emotion a mixture of attachment, admiration and joy, a light that bloomed only for him. “His Majesty!” Agula’s reaction was the most intense. When she saw Lin Xiao, her eyes burst into uncontrollable ecstasy, and she even struggled to get up from the couch and salute. Lin Xiao’s eyes moved, and he was in front of her almost instantly. He quickly and gently pressed her shoulders with both hands to stop her movements. “You’re almost a mother, and you’re still so irritable.” There was a hint of reproach in his tone, but anyone could hear that underneath the reproach was a thick layer of doting. Agula’s cheeks suddenly turned red, and the blush spread from her cheeks to her ears. She stopped struggling and leaned back obediently. She felt the warmth from Lin Xiao’s palm, and her heart seemed to be soaked in a honey pot, so sweet that it was about to melt. Her dependence on this man unconsciously deepened. “Your Majesty, please don’t blame Sister Agula. She’s just too happy to see you.” Liu Weilan walked over gracefully, holding a white jade porcelain bowl, and spoke softly to offer relief. Her eyes were so gentle that they seemed to be dripping with tears. “You just finished your government affairs, didn’t you? Sit down and rest. Your health is most important.” As she spoke, she naturally handed the pregnancy maintaining medicine to Lin Xiao and motioned him to feed it. The action was so natural, as if she was born to do it. The queen, who was once the mother of the country, was now willing to serve tea and medicine to another woman who was pregnant with her husband’s child. There was no reluctance on her face, only the virtue and satisfaction of being a member of this big family. Lin Xiao took the bowl and felt extremely relieved. He glanced across the hall. This is his harem. The Queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who was once high and mighty and cared about the people of the world, has now washed away all worldly desires and become his most gentle and virtuous confidant. A pearl of the grassland who was once unruly and tried to compete with him is now completely conquered by him and is about to give birth to a child for him. The firmness between her brows has turned into tenderness around her fingers. And the former Queen and Princess of Japan were now just the two most humble and obedient maids in his palace. It took great courage for them to even look up at him. Rivers and mountains, beauties. This seems to be the ultimate that men in this world can pursue. An incomparable sense of conquest and satisfaction fermented and rose in his chest, eventually turning into a warm current that swept through his limbs and bones. At this moment, the familiar, cold mechanical prompt sound rang in his mind at just the right moment. [System prompt: Agula’s favorability +5, current favorability: 80] [System prompt: Liu Weilan’s favorability +3, current favorability: 115] With this extreme feeling of comfort, the favorability level soared again. Lin Xiao’s lips curled up into a barely perceptible smile. It’s time to draw again. He scooped up a spoonful of warm medicine, blew on it gently, and brought it to Agula’s mouth. He enjoyed the tenderness in the room and began to look forward to tonight’s reward. It’s late at night and everyone is asleep. After confirming that Agula had fallen asleep with a satisfied smile, Lin Xiao quietly got up, closed his eyes, and immersed his mind in the system space. “lottery.” With a thought, the familiar golden roulette appeared again and began to spin wildly in his mind. The golden light shone brightly, and then the speed of the roulette wheel gradually slowed down. The pointer passed through a dazzling array of icons, and finally, it slowly stopped. The light faded. A line of large golden characters, which seemed to have a metallic texture and industrial flavor, suddenly caught his eye. Polymer Chemistry and Synthetic Rubber Industrial System Lin Xiao was stunned. The next second, his pupils contracted violently due to extreme shock, and an indescribable ecstasy, like a volcanic eruption, instantly exploded from the bottom of his heart! Polymer chemistry! Synthetic rubber! If the steam engine is the skeleton of the Industrial Revolution and steel is its muscle, then this thing… is the blood and ligaments of the Industrial Empire! It is the key to truly ushering materials science into a whole new era! Before he had time to savor the ecstasy, a massive torrent of knowledge rushed into his brain violently and madly like a river bursting its banks. [Basic principles of polymerization reaction…] [Preparation and purification process of butadiene…] Styrene Synthesis Route [Complete set of process drawings for the emulsion and solution polymerization of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)…] [Detailed explanation of the catalyst system for directional polymerization of butadiene rubber (BR)…] [Synthesis technology for special oil resistant and heat resistant rubbers such as chloroprene rubber and nitrile rubber…] Countless complex molecular formulas, precise structural diagrams of reactors, catalyst formulas, intricate chemical pipeline designs… These pieces of knowledge that have surpassed this era by thousands of years are now clearly imprinted in his mind. Lin Xiao closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly due to the impact of this huge flow of knowledge. He “saw” it! He saw countless tires being produced continuously from the assembly line. No longer needing to rely on the delicate rubber plantations in the south, the wheels of the empire could cover every inch of land without any worries! He saw seals and hoses that were more resistant to high temperatures and high pressures being used in the newer generation of steam engines and internal combustion engines, pushing the empire’s power core to a new peak! He saw that special rubber that was waterproof, insulating, and corrosion resistant would be used on warships, submarines, cables, and even future aircraft! The biggest fear of an empire’s industrial system is not that its technology is not advanced enough, but that its lifeline is in the hands of others. Natural rubber is such a lifeline. It is subject to climate and geography, and is fragile and unstable. And now, this lifeline is held in his own hands! From today on, Huachao’s industry will have truly independent and autonomous “bones, blood and flesh” that can be infinitely iterated! Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, and under the cold moonlight, a terrifying gleam flashed in his eyes. It was an incomparable sense of pride and ecstasy as if he had the whole world firmly in his hands! He will personally drive the gears of the empire, crushing everything in front of him at an unprecedented speed! Chapter 508 Synthetic Rubber The next day, as soon as the sun rose, Lin Xiao got up in high spirits. The vast amount of knowledge that flooded into his mind last night not only did not make him feel tired, but instead made him extremely excited. “Send an order, summoning Minister of Works Zhang Fuan and Director of the Chemistry Department of the Academy of Sciences Lu Jin to the Imperial Study for a meeting immediately!” With just one command, the entire palace operated with astonishing efficiency. Not long after, footsteps were heard outside the imperial study. Zhang Fuan almost trotted in, his dark face flushed with fanaticism, and there was even a layer of fine beads of sweat on his forehead. He now has a conditioned reflex expectation of Lin Xiao’s summons. Lu Jin, who followed closely behind, still maintained the demeanor of a scholar. Although he walked quickly, he did not appear flustered. As the head of the Chemistry Department of the Academy of Sciences, he knew better than anyone that every instruction from the Holy Emperor on “Chemistry” was enough to create a whole new field. “Everyone is here.” Lin Xiao put down the teacup in his hand and pointed to the huge blackboard in the center of the study. The two bowed and then looked at the blackboard curiously. After just one look, they were both stunned. Zhang Fuan blinked blankly, and Lu Jin frowned instantly. On the blackboard, there were no mechanical drawings that they were familiar with, nor were there any easy to understand texts. There were only strings of strange symbols painted there that they had never heard of or seen before. They were crooked and looked like ghost paintings, or like some kind of twisted chain, connecting from one end to the other. Zhang Fuan came forward, squinting his eyes and carefully examined it for a long time. He couldn’t help scratching his head and asked in a muffled voice, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance, but this painting of yours… is it made up of many centipedes connected together?” Lu Jin’s expression was much more serious. He stared at the symbols intently, as if he wanted to engrave them into his mind. He thought he had gained some understanding of the “chemistry” taught by Lin Xiao, but the symbols before him completely overturned his cognition. “Your Majesty, this thing… is neither a picture nor a text. I am a dull student and really cannot see the mystery in it.” Lu Jin finally gave up and bowed respectfully to ask for advice. Looking at one of them deep in thought and the other scratching his head, Lin Xiao’s smile grew even wider. He picked up the chalk, walked to the blackboard, and tapped the most complicated symbols with the chalk. “Today I want to teach you something new. It’s called ‘polymers’.” “The rubber we cut from trees before was natural. Today, I’m going to teach you how to use our most common coal, lime, and even grain to create something even better than natural rubber. This process is called ‘artificial synthesis.'” As soon as the words fell, the entire imperial study could hear a pin drop. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin’s expressions froze in an instant, as if they had been struck by lightning. Creating rubber… out of thin air? With stones and coal? Zhang Fuan’s mouth opened wider and wider, until it was almost big enough to fit an egg in. He felt like his brain wasn’t enough. In his simple worldview, everything is created by God, wood is wood, and stone is stone. All a human can do is build a house out of wood and a wall out of stones. But what did Your Majesty say? Create something out of thin air? Lu Jin was even more shocked. He thought of the alchemist’s so called “turning stone into gold”, but that was ultimately a trick. The Holy Emperor before him was describing a true miracle of “creation” in a tone that he could not understand at all, yet was extremely confident! At this moment, the two people’s worldview was shaken by Lin Xiao’s casual words. “I know you can’t understand right now.” Lin Xiao put down the chalk and turned to look at their dazed faces. “But you just need to remember to do as I say.” He gave the order. “I hereby order the Institute of Physical Science to immediately initiate the ‘Artificial Synthetic Materials Project’ with the highest confidentiality level! Zhang Fuan, I order you to personally oversee the project. Lu Jin, you will be responsible for the technical development!” In the Gewu Academy, inside the newly built secret laboratory. The security here is very tight, and all craftsmen and researchers have signed a military order: anyone who leaks the information will be killed along with his entire clan. The laboratory was filled with a pungent smell of chemicals. Zhang Fuan and Lu Jin, along with a group of top chemical science students, were gathered around a strangely shaped sealed reactor made of a special alloy, looking worried. “The pressure is wrong! It’s rising again!” “The catalyst’s purity is still insufficient. Purification is too difficult!” “The temperature! The temperature is out of control!” The lab was in turmoil. According to the blueprint Lin Xiao had given them, they needed to separate a substance called “butadiene” from the black coal tar. The process was tedious, complicated, and fraught with danger. The reaction conditions are extremely harsh. Any slight mistake in temperature or pressure will lead to failure. Zhang Fuan was sweating profusely as he personally tried to turn a scalding valve, muttering, “Be careful, everyone! This is a divine oracle from His Majesty. Whoever messes it up will be the first to be skinned alive!” However, what you fear will come to you. There was a muffled “bang” sound, and a glass observation window connected to the pipe suddenly exploded. A cloud of black smoke accompanied by an unpleasant smell gushed out, and the two students closest to it were knocked to the ground by the air wave. Fortunately, the explosion was not powerful and no casualties were reported. But everyone’s heart sank to the bottom. After the smoke cleared, Zhang Fuan, regardless of the heat, personally opened the discharge port of the reactor with pliers. What flowed out was not the milky white elastic substance described in the drawing, but a pool of black, sticky waste with a burnt smell. Failed again. This is the seventeenth failure in the past two weeks. The laboratory was deathly silent. Everyone was dejected, their faces filled with frustration. Zhang Fuan sat down on the ground with the hardened waste residue in his hand, his dark face full of frustration and self doubt. He couldn’t understand why His Majesty had explained it clearly and drawn the blueprints clearly, but when it came to him, all he produced was useless garbage. Could it be… Could it be that I am really a fool, useless, and have let down His Majesty’s trust? The strong sense of frustration and guilt were like two huge mountains, pressing him so hard that he could hardly breathe. Just when everyone’s spirits were at their lowest point, a calm voice sounded at the door. “Who told you to use No. 3 coking coal for purification? Its sulfur content is too high. And this catalyst, the ratio is wrong.” Everyone turned around suddenly and saw that Lin Xiao had been standing at the door without them noticing. “His Majesty!” Zhang Fuan shuddered and suddenly got up from the ground. His face was red and white. He was so ashamed that he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. “Your Majesty, please punish me!” Chapter 509 Comprehensive Upgrade Lin Xiao waved his hand and walked straight to the huge reactor. He didn’t even look at the failed pieces of junk. He just glanced at the data on the recording board and pointed out several fatal mistakes. He took off his dragon robe, wearing only a neat casual suit, and actually walked up to the operating table himself. “Watch carefully.” He didn’t waste any time talking and just got straight to the point. He adjusted the catalyst ratio smoothly, and the dosage of each chemical was accurate to the millimeter, as if he could weigh it with his eyes. The way he controlled the pressure and temperature of the reactor left everyone stunned. The complicated valves and instruments seemed to have become the most obedient toys in his hands. The atmosphere in the entire laboratory instantly went from dead silence to extreme tension. Everyone held their breath, staring at Lin Xiao’s every move without blinking, afraid of missing any details. Time passes by every second. This time, the reactor ran exceptionally smoothly, with no more terrible pressure fluctuations or abnormal noises. “alright.” Lin Xiao stopped and spoke in a calm tone. Zhang Fuan’s heart instantly rose to his throat. He rubbed his hands together, his palms sweating with nervousness. At Lin Xiao’s signal, he stepped forward personally and slowly turned the valve of the discharge port with trembling hands. There is no pungent burnt smell. There is no black waste residue either. A milky, slightly viscous liquid slowly flowed out of the pipe and fell into the container below. It quickly solidified and turned into a milky white gelatinous substance with a strange smell. It is full of elasticity and has a smooth surface, looking like a huge, warm piece of mutton fat white jade. Synthetic rubber was born. Lin Xiao picked up the new, still warm piece of synthetic rubber. Under everyone’s fixed gaze, he grabbed both ends of the rubber block with both hands and pulled it hard! The milky white rubber block was stretched several times in an instant. It was so thin that it was almost transparent, but it was full of amazing toughness and showed no signs of breaking. Then he suddenly let go. “Bang!” A crisp explosion sounded in the silent laboratory. The stretched rubber block instantly shrank back to its original shape at a speed that was almost impossible to capture with the naked eye, and even trembled slightly in Lin Xiao’s hand due to the huge rebound force. Its performance far exceeds any natural rubber they have ever seen before! Everyone in the entire laboratory was petrified. Zhang Fuan, Lu Jin, and all the students behind them, opened their mouths so wide that they could fit their fists in, and their eyes were wide open as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. Zhang Fuan trembled and almost crawled over, stretched out his hands covered with calluses and burns, and carefully took the piece of rubber from Lin Xiao. He pinched it gently at first, and the warm and elastic touch made him shiver all over. Then, he imitated Lin Xiao and used all his strength to stretch, knead and rub repeatedly. Under his rough abuse, the rubber showed unparalleled toughness and recovery ability. He was so shocked that he was speechless, and a “ho ho” sound came from his throat, like an old cow with its neck strangled. This… is this made of stone and coal? How is this possible! This is even more incredible than turning stone into gold! Suddenly, a flash of lightning flashed through his mind, which was overwhelmed by shock and ecstasy. He thought of the delicate rubber plantation in the south, the rubber trees that were extremely demanding on climate and soil, and every time there was a shortage of raw materials due to weather or transportation problems. Those are the lifeline of the empire’s industrial development, but also its most vulnerable lifeline! And now… Zhang Fuan tightly grasped the synthetic rubber in his hand, feeling the strong rebound force, and his body began to tremble violently and uncontrollably. From now on, the Empire’s industry no longer needs to rely on the will of Heaven! No longer needs to be restricted by any particular place of production! As long as there is coal and stone, the Empire will have an endless supply of rubber! “Plop!” Zhang Fuan’s knees softened and he suddenly knelt down in front of Lin Xiao. On his dark face, a mixture of emotions such as ecstasy, admiration, and excitement finally turned into two lines of hot tears that burst out. He kowtowed heavily to Lin Xiao and roared with all his strength: “The Holy Emperor’s divine skill! The Holy Emperor has rebuilt the industrial foundation for our Hua Dynasty!” Lin Xiao looked at his excited expression and nodded calmly, as if he had just done something insignificant. “I hereby order the immediate construction of the First Imperial Synthetic Chemical Plant in the suburbs of Beijing. This matter is classified as top secret. Priority will be given to the production of specialized seals and higher performance tires.” As soon as the order was given, the entire Ministry of Industry instantly turned into a high speed war machine. Just a few days later. At the Ministry of Industry Arsenal, a brand new high pressure steam engine is undergoing final testing. The boiler of this steam engine is thicker and heavier than any previous one, and the scale of the pressure gauge is far beyond the norm. “Increase the pressure!” With the craftsman’s order, the pressure in the boiler began to rise rapidly. All the craftsmen watching subconsciously took a few steps back, their faces full of tension. According to past experience, under this kind of pressure, the steam engine should have leaked air everywhere due to poor sealing, and even had the risk of explosion. But today, the pressure gauge needle steadily passed through one dangerous red zone after another, and finally stopped at a value that they had never dared to imagine in the past. In the entire machine, apart from the roaring sound of the piston movement, not a single sound of air leakage can be heard. The reason is simple: every key interface of this new steam engine has been replaced with a special sealing ring made of synthetic rubber that is resistant to high temperature and high pressure. “It worked! It worked!” The craftsmen looked at the pressure gauge that was as stable as a mountain and burst into thunderous cheers. This means that the efficiency of the steam engine has increased dramatically again! The power of the empire will reach a new level! At the same time, on the other side of the arsenal, rows of newly produced military carriages and heavy artillery carriages were neatly arranged. Their wheels were fitted with new tires made of synthetic rubber. This type of tire is thicker and has a deeper tread pattern, giving it a fuller sense of power. The Minister of War, Sun Mingde, was coming to inspect with a group of generals. He was a pragmatic soldier who knew nothing about chemical symbols and only believed what he saw with his own eyes. “Pull it out and run a lap!” At a command, a heavy cannon weighing thousands of pounds was easily pulled by several draft horses. The artillery vehicle equipped with new tires was driving on the bumpy test field more than one level smoother than before and at a much faster speed. Chapter 510 New Promotion Sun Mingde’s eyes widened instantly. The generals behind him were even more stunned. Smoothness means less damage to the precision parts of the artillery on rough roads. Speed means that the mobility of artillery will be epically improved! Sun Mingde’s breathing suddenly quickened. He immediately realized that this was not just a simple matter of replacing a good tire. This means that the empire’s logistical transportation capabilities and troop mobilization speed will undergo earth shaking qualitative changes! Heavy artillery can keep up with the speed of infantry and even catch up with cavalry! Supply convoys can ignore harsh terrain and deliver food, fodder and ammunition to the front lines faster! This… this is a divine object that can change the form of war! Sun Mingde turned his head and looked towards the direction of the imperial palace. In addition to the previous fanatical admiration, there was an additional layer of deep, almost overflowing awe in his eyes. The Holy Emperor always secures victory in the next war for the Hua Dynasty’s army in places they can’t see. Imperial farm, outside Beijing. The air was filled with the distinct smell of coal smoke and hot steam. Looking around, on the flat and vast fields, dozens of “Iron Ox No. 2” steam tractors were spewing black smoke in unison, and their tracks rolled over the land, making a dull and majestic roar. The heart of these improved new tractors is a high pressure steam engine equipped with synthetic rubber seals. They are powerful, run stably, and have almost no annoying air leakage sounds. The multi share steel plows hanging behind them easily turned over the dormant land, leaving behind several deep, straight grooves. Wang Tiezhu, now a team leader of this farm, is standing on a high ridge with his hands behind his back. He was wearing the uniform blue work clothes issued by the officials and wear resistant rubber soled cloth shoes, with a look of pride on his face. As he looked at the grand scene before him, his heart had gone from the initial shock to a little numbness. Thinking back to when he first saw this thing, he was so scared that his legs went weak. But now, he can even roughly judge the combustion condition of the boiler based on the color of the smoke emitted by different iron bulls. “Stand still! Look carefully!” Wang Tiezhu turned around and shouted to the group of people behind him with full confidence. Behind him were hundreds of refugees who had just migrated from the south. They were all pale and thin, dressed in tattered clothes, and their eyes were filled with fear and confusion about the unknown environment. When they were brought here and saw these steel monsters that were puffing out smoke and roaring as they plowed the land, they all lost their voices in an instant. “thump!” I don’t know who started it, but the sound of knees hitting the ground could be heard from the crowd. “God! It’s the land god who’s angry!” “Monster! It’s a man eating monster!” “Oh my God, we just arrived in the capital, how could we run into something like this…” The refugees were so frightened that they prostrated themselves on the ground and kowtowed frantically to the group of steel beasts, crying and wailing. The scene was in chaos. They escaped the war and survived the famine, but unexpectedly, they saw a scene at the feet of the emperor that was more terrifying than the chaos of the army and the famine. Wang Tiezhu looked at this group of inexperienced guys and cleared his throat proudly. He enjoyed this feeling very much, as if he had become the spokesperson for a miracle. “Shut up! Why are you crying?” He shouted, his voice carrying the authority of a man from the suburbs of Beijing. “You ignorant people! How can this be a monster? Lift your heads and see clearly!” After being shouted at by him, the refugees began to cry less, but they still did not dare to look up, and only peeked secretly through their fingers. Wang Tiezhu walked up to the middle aged man who kowtowed the most fiercely and kicked him in the butt. “Get up! Look at what that is!” He pointed at an “Iron Ox” passing nearby and explained loudly, “Open your eyes and see clearly! This is not a monster, nor is it a deity! This is a divine object bestowed upon us common people by our Holy Emperor for farming. It’s called the ‘Iron Ox’!” “Iron Ox?” The refugees were stunned and looked at each other. “Yes! Iron Ox!” Wang Tiezhu shouted even louder, his face filled with fanatical admiration. “See? That thing can plow as much ground in a day as a hundred oxen can plow in three days and three nights! It doesn’t eat grass, it eats coal! It drinks water! With it, even the hardest ground can be turned into cotton soft soil! From now on, you’ll be following these iron oxen for your livelihood!” After listening to Wang Tiezhu’s easy to understand explanation, the refugees gradually stopped feeling afraid, slowly raised their heads, and stared blankly at the steel behemoths that shuttled back and forth. Are they…really plowing the land? The turned over soil was indeed much deeper and more orderly than that plowed by oxen. A courageous young man tremblingly stood up and pointed at the Iron Ox, asking, “Sir… is this… is this really made by His Majesty the Holy Emperor… for us to farm?” “Nonsense!” Wang Tiezhu glared at him. “His Majesty the Holy Emperor’s magical powers are beyond your imagination. Have you ever drunk tap water? Have you ever seen a public toilet? What’s this iron ox? There will be iron horses and iron ships in the future! Follow His Majesty the Holy Emperor, and good days are ahead!” The crowd was completely silent. They looked at the fertile land that was being reclaimed quickly, and the proud expressions on Wang Tiezhu and his farm workers’ faces, and it was as if a string in their heads suddenly broke. They fled all the way from the south, saw starving people everywhere, saw people exchanging their own children for cannibalism, and thought that the world was hell. But when they got here, they saw a clean city, drank sweet tap water, and now, they saw the “iron ox” that can make the land turn over itself. The emperor, who was so high and mighty, was actually concerned about how the lowest level peasants farmed in a way they could not understand. “Plop!” It was the middle aged man again, and he knelt down again. But this time, it wasn’t out of fear. He kowtowed heavily in the direction of the imperial palace in the capital, and his forehead hit the solid ground with a dull sound. Then he burst into tears, and in his tears was the catharsis of surviving the disaster and the unbelievable ecstasy. “Long live the Holy Emperor! Long live the Holy Emperor!” His cry was like a spell, instantly igniting the emotions of all the refugees. Hundreds of people turned around in unison, headed towards the palace, and knelt on the ground. “Long live the Holy Emperor!” “Thank you, Holy Emperor, for bestowing the divine food!” “We have a way to survive! We have a way to survive!” The cries, kowtows, and cheers merged into one, echoing above the roaring fields. They were crying but had the brightest smiles on their faces. At this moment, all the confusion and fear in their hearts about the future turned into the most primitive and fanatical worship for the emperor they had never met. Wang Tiezhu looked at this scene and smiled with satisfaction. It’s great that there is another group of loyal believers of His Majesty the Holy Emperor. Chapter 512 Western Fleet Dagukou, the Royal Dockyard. Today the port is crowded with people and flags are waving. Countless craftsmen, sailors and common people who rushed to the scene after hearing the news surrounded the new shipyard, and everyone’s face was filled with irrepressible excitement and pride. The focus of everyone’s attention is the huge battleship “Dingyuan” lying quietly in the dock. Its huge steel body is three times larger than the previous “Zhenbei”, with smooth lines and full of power. The gray black hull shone with a cold and hard luster in the sunlight, and rows of black gun ports were like the eyes of a giant beast, silently staring at the ocean that belonged to it. The auspicious time has arrived. Lin Xiao personally attended the launching ceremony. He stood on the platform, surrounded by core generals and officials such as Sun Mingde and Zhang Fuan, whose faces flushed with excitement. “Wu——!!” Following Lin Xiao’s order, a long whistle that pierced the clouds and split the rocks suddenly sounded. The sound rolled and resounded through the sky, as if announcing to the whole world the birth of a new king. The dock’s sluice gates slowly opened, and the huge sleepers that secured the hull were pulled out one by one. “It’s moving! It’s moving!” The first cry of surprise erupted from the crowd. The steel mountain began to slide slowly and inexorably towards the sea. The speed increased from slow to fast, and the friction between the steel and the slide rails made a heavy and teeth grinding roar. Boom! The huge stern touched the water first, and then the entire warship rushed into the blue sea with an indomitable attitude. Wow! Huge waves were stirred up and rushed towards the shore like a tsunami, hitting the embankment, splashing water several feet high, and soaking the clothes of countless people in the front row. But no one dodged. They just stared blankly at the huge ship as it stabilized itself in the water. Its huge hull plowed through the waves and drew an arc on the sea. After a brief silence, there was cheering like a volcanic eruption. “Long live!!” “Long live the Hua Dynasty! Long live the Holy Emperor!!” Countless craftsmen threw their hats into the sky, their eyes filled with tears of excitement. Many of them have been working tirelessly for months for this battleship. At this moment, all the hard work turned into incomparable pride. The sailors straightened their chests and looked at the warship that would soon belong to them with the most fanatical eyes, as if they had already seen the future of sailing across the seas with it. Lin Xiao stood on the shore, the sea breeze blowing the corners of his clothes. He looked at his masterpiece, the crystallization of all his hard work and the highest industrial level of the era, and felt extremely proud. That’s power. The power is enough to crush all old orders and build a new world. At this moment when the whole country was jubilant, an officer from the Intelligence Department rode a fast horse, looking anxious as he passed through the reveling crowd and rushed to the bottom of the platform. “Your Majesty!” The official dismounted, stumbling slightly. He presented a secret report sealed with wax in both hands. “Southern Sea, urgent!” The cheers from the surroundings seemed to be cut off in an instant. The joy on the faces of Sun Mingde and others froze, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Lin Xiao took the secret report and tore open the seal. The handwriting on the letter was sloppy and hurried, obviously written under extreme tension. The content of the secret report is very simple: A large Western fleet suddenly appeared in the southern waters. Its ships flew a red and white Union Jack, had huge hulls, and were equipped with numerous cannons, far surpassing any warships of the Great Zhou period. The fleet did not dock, but cruised along the coast and sent out small boats to gather intelligence and draw sea charts. The red and white Union Jack…England. Lin Xiao’s pupils shrank slightly, and then a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. What is coming will eventually come. These greedy colonists, smelling the blood of the Industrial Revolution, crossed the ocean and came to our door. “Your Majesty, are those monkeys in Nanyang becoming restless again?” Sun Mingde came over and asked in a muffled voice. In his opinion, there is no naval power in the world that can pose a threat to China. Lin Xiao handed him the secret report. After reading this, Sun Mingde’s face instantly turned livid, and anger blazed from his eyes. “Western barbarians? How dare you mess with me!” “Strong ships and powerful guns…” Song Qinghe muttered to himself, his expression solemn. An unknown, powerful maritime force meant endless variables and troubles. “Your Majesty! I beg for battle!” Sun Mingde clasped his fists fiercely and said in a voice as resounding as a bell. “We will march south immediately and send all these barbarians who dare to challenge my majesty to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish!” The other generals were also filled with righteous indignation and the mood was very excited. “No rush.” Lin Xiao waved his hand calmly, his voice was not loud, but it instantly suppressed all the noise. He looked at the Dingyuan, which had just been launched and was undergoing final adjustments, with a playful expression on his face. “You’ve arrived just in time.” “I’m worried about not having a suitable target to test the strength of our new navy.” This sentence made Sun Mingde and others stunned for a moment, and then their eyes burst into a fanaticism even more intense than before. Use this mysterious Western fleet to consecrate the Dingyuan? Is there anything more domineering than this! “Convey my order.” Lin Xiao’s voice was cold and steady. “Dingyuan, immediately conduct full speed sea trials and main gun calibration.” That night, in the imperial palace, Liu Weilan’s bedroom. The palace was brightly lit, warm as spring. Lin Xiao and Liu Weilan sat opposite each other on a precious red sandalwood chessboard, quietly playing a game. Liu Weilan was wearing a lavender palace dress, her black hair was like a waterfall, and her face was extremely beautiful. She was once the queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and her chess skills were superb, unrivaled in the harem. But at this moment, she was holding the white piece, staring at the chessboard, but her mind was not on the game at all. Those eyes, as clear as autumn water, would glance at the man opposite from time to time. Every time Lin Xiao made a move, she would reveal a tiny flaw without leaving a trace, making the originally stalemate chess game become clear in an instant. Lin Xiao naturally saw through her little thoughts, but he didn’t say it out loud. He was just secretly proud of himself. Conquering the world certainly brings a sense of accomplishment. But to have such a wise and beautiful queen, who was once high and mighty, willingly bow down to him on the chessboard, this kind of spiritual satisfaction is a unique feeling. “Your Majesty seems to be worried?” Liu Weilan finally couldn’t help but whisper. She sensed a sharpness and murderous intent in Lin Xiao’s chess moves today that she didn’t usually see. “It doesn’t matter, they are just a group of flies that don’t know how to live or die.” Lin Xiao casually placed a piece and completely secured the victory. Liu Weilan gently put down the chess piece in her hand, stood up, walked around the chessboard, came behind Lin Xiao, stretched out her slender hands, and gently massaged his shoulders. “Your Majesty, I heard… it was the Western fleet?” There was a hint of unconcealable worry in her voice. “I once read some ancient books left over from the previous dynasty in the palace. They said that Westerners ate raw meat and drank blood, were barbaric, and were extremely skilled in naval warfare…” Chapter 513 Lightning Steelmaking Lin Xiao enjoyed the tenderness of her fingertips and chuckled when he heard it. He held Liu Weilan’s soft, boneless hand in his backhand and gently pulled her into his arms. “Ancient books?” Lin Xiao rested his chin on her hair, breathing in the faint fragrance coming from her body. “Wei Lan, times have changed. Those ancient books should be burned.” “In front of my fleet, the so called Western warlike prowess is nothing but a joke.” His voice was calm and indifferent, yet it contained an unquestionable confidence. Liu Weilan leaned on his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling the warmth coming from his body and the domineering aura. All the worries in her heart disappeared in an instant. Yes, how could she forget. The man before him was the epitome of miracle working. He could conjure steel from thin air, make iron oxen plow the fields, and launch giant steel ships into the sea. What else could he not do? In his eyes, those so called “Western barbarians” that he was worried about might really be no different from flies. At this moment, Liu Weilan looked at Lin Xiao’s angular profile, and her eyes completely turned into an ocean of obsession and attachment. She slowly stood up, wrapped her arms around Lin Xiao’s neck, and her breath was as sweet as orchid. “It’s late, Your Majesty…it’s time to rest.” She took off her palace dress on her own initiative and undressed Lin Xiao, her movements being extremely gentle. The ultimate pleasure of conquering the former queen once again made Lin Xiao feel relaxed both physically and mentally. In my mind, the system prompt sound came as expected. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by +5, currently at 120!] Lin Xiao’s heart moved. Another lucky draw? Perfect! Without hesitation, he said to himself: Lottery! In an instant, the system interface in his mind burst into an unprecedented bright light. Unlike before, this time, it was no longer just a flash of light, but was accompanied by the sound of fine and precise gear meshing and turning. Sizzle—— Several tiny arcs of electricity jumped on the edge of the system interface, and the sound they made seemed to penetrate the soul. The light converged, and a line of dark golden characters that had never been seen before slowly appeared in the center of the interface. Advanced Metallurgy and Electric Arc Furnace Refining Technology Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly shrank into the size of a needle tip! Immediately afterwards, an indescribable ecstasy erupted from the bottom of my heart like a volcano! Here it comes! This is the true cornerstone of industry! It is the steel and iron backbone that supports the entire imperial hegemony! boom! A tsunami like torrent of knowledge poured into his brain frantically. The basic principles of electric arc furnaces, the design of graphite electrodes, the construction of ultra high power transformers, the control of slag chemical composition, the deoxidation and desulfurization refining process… Tungsten alloy, molybdenum alloy, vanadium alloy! Those names that existed only in the depths of his memory now transformed into crystal clear formulas and smelting processes. The forging method for high strength artillery steel, the rolling technology for homogeneous armor steel… Lin Xiao only felt a current rushing from his tailbone to the top of his head, and his whole body was trembling slightly with pleasure. What he saw before his eyes was no longer the gauze curtains of the bedroom, but another magnificent scene. He saw that the steam engine, equipped with special alloy cylinders and pistons, burst out with even more terrifying power, driving the 10,000 ton ship to cut through the waves! He saw that the breech loading cannon, made of brand new gun steel, had a longer barrel and higher chamber pressure, and could deliver shells to a greater distance, easily tearing apart the enemy’s walls and ships! He saw that the Dingyuan class battleship, covered with layers of homogeneous armor, was like an impenetrable sea fortress, strolling leisurely in the enemy’s artillery fire! This is the backbone of the empire! This backbone will be forged by hand using these cutting edge alloys that are ahead of their time! Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, the excitement and pride in his eyes almost overflowing. He subconsciously hugged Liu Weilan, who was already limp as mud and sleeping soundly, tightly in his arms, with a surge of heroic spirit in his heart. Western Fleet? You came just in time. It’s just a whetstone that was delivered to the door to test the hardness of the empire’s new backbone. The next day, it was just dawn. Imperial study. “Summon Zhang Fu’an to the emperor immediately!” An urgent order came from the palace. In the residence of the Minister of Works, Zhang Fuan had just taken two mouthfuls of breakfast when he heard the urgent summons from the Holy Emperor. He threw down his bowl and ran towards the palace without even having time to fasten the belt of his official uniform. He jogged all the way, panting and sweating, but his face was filled with uncontrollable excitement. Every time the Holy Emperor looks for him so anxiously, it means a miracle is about to happen! Each time, his worldview was violently impacted. He even began to look forward to the feeling of being knocked dizzy by the Saint Emperor’s “divine skills.” “Your Majesty, I, Zhang Fuan, pay my respects to you!” Zhang Fuan rushed into the imperial study, saluted with a breathtaking breath, his eyes frighteningly bright and full of anticipation. Lin Xiao sat at the large desk behind the dragon throne. There were traces of bloodshot under his eyes from staying up late, but he was extremely excited. Without any nonsense, he pushed over a stack of drawings on the table that had been drawn overnight and the ink was not yet dry. “Fuan, look at this.” Next to the stack of drawings were several sheets of paper covered with strange symbols and numbers, which were the chemical formulas of special alloys. “Thank you, Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan rubbed his hands and carefully picked up the top drawing with a pilgrimage like mood. It was a diagram of an extremely complex machine. The main body was a huge circular furnace with three thick “pillars” extending from the top. The furnace was surrounded by various pipes and lines that he could not understand. What kind of steelmaking furnace is this? It’s a hundred times more complicated than the previous converter! Zhang Fuan’s breathing became rapid. He knew that this was definitely something extraordinary! He excitedly turned over the second one, and the third one… The more he looked, the more the excitement on his face froze. The more he looked, the more the light in his eyes faded. Until he picked up the formula covered with strange symbols, and looked back at the assembly drawing marked “ultra high power transformer” and “graphite electrode”. Zhang Fuan was completely confused. He stood there in a daze, the drawing in his hand seemed light yet seemed to weigh a thousand pounds. Use… use lightning to make steel? An extremely absurd idea exploded in his mind. The winding lines on the drawing clearly connect to the “generator” that the Institute of Physics is studying, and the three “pillars” are clearly marked on the drawing as being used to create “artificial lightning” in the furnace! This… How is this possible? ! Fire is the foundation of steelmaking. This is an eternal truth passed down from our ancestors. But now, the blueprint that the Holy Emperor took out told him that he had to use the thunder and lightning in the sky to melt the steel! This is no longer a divine skill, this is a myth! It is an act of creation! Zhang Fuan felt like his brain had turned into a mess. The knowledge, experience, and common sense he had accumulated throughout his life were completely crushed and burned by this thin drawing at this moment, leaving no ash. His worldview collapsed once again. Chapter 514 Trial “Your Majesty…this…this…” Zhang Fuan’s voice was trembling. He pointed at the “electrode” on the drawing. His lips trembled and he couldn’t say a complete sentence for a long time. Looking at his dazed look, Lin Xiao spoke calmly. “This method is called electric arc steelmaking. The so called electric arc is artificially created lightning, and its instantaneous temperature far exceeds that of ordinary fire, reaching thousands of degrees. At this high temperature, impurities in the ore can be instantly vaporized. At the same time, the absence of oxygen in the furnace is called ‘atmosphere protection’, which ensures that the molten steel is pure and flawless. Then add these things…” Lin Xiao pointed to the chemical formula on the paper next to him and said, “Then you can refine divine steel that is a hundred times stronger than refined iron.” Zhang Fuan was confused and his head was buzzing. Words like “thousands of degrees”, “gasification”, and “atmosphere” are like clouds in the sky. He can see them but cannot touch them. But he grasped the most crucial sentence the divine steel is a hundred times better than fine iron! That’s enough! The confusion in Zhang Fuan’s eyes was instantly replaced by an extremely fanatical admiration. What the Holy Emperor said was the truth! If the Holy Emperor wanted to use lightning to make steel, then lightning must be able to make steel! If it can’t be made, it must be the fault of lightning! “Your Majesty, I understand!” Zhang Fuan puffed out his chest and said in a loud voice, “I may be dull, but I firmly believe that every word your Majesty said is a pearl of wisdom and is the truth of heaven! I will do it right away!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction and gave the order. “Immediately build an experimental electric arc furnace at the steel mill outside Beijing. Pass on my order to requisition the Institute of Physical Science’s most powerful steam generators and send them all to the steel mill!” “As you wish!” Zhang Fuan took the order and rushed out of the imperial study with the stack of drawings in his pocket. Royal Steel Plant in the suburbs of Beijing. A brand new factory building with a strange structure rose from the ground. In the center of the factory building, the huge electric arc furnace stood quietly. It is no longer surrounded by mountains of coal, but by black cables as thick as arms, which are connected like blood vessels to a roaring steam generator on the other side of the factory. Inside the factory, the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was almost frozen. Dozens of the most experienced craftsmen were now staying away from the electric arc furnace, their faces filled with awe and fear. They whispered to each other in very low voices, and glanced at the black cables from time to time, fearing that they would explode. Zhang Fuan stood in front of the electric arc furnace, looking like he had just been pulled out of the water, his official uniform already soaked with sweat. His palms were sticky with cold sweat, and his heart was beating like a drum in his chest. He understood the Holy Emperor’s theory, but understanding is one thing, and seeing with his own eyes how to use the power of “electricity” to make steel is another. If this thing explodes, will I be struck by lightning and turned into charcoal? “Sir, everything… is ready,” a foreman reported tremblingly, his teeth chattering. “Do you really want to… close the switch?” Zhang Fuan took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress the throbbing in his heart, and looked back at the shrinking craftsmen. He knew that he was a subject of the Holy Emperor and the head of the Ministry of Works, and he could not retreat. “Close the switch!” He squeezed out two words from between his teeth. The craftsman in charge of controlling the main switch shuddered and his face turned pale. He glanced at Zhang Fuan, then at the buzzing generator, and finally made up his mind, closed his eyes, and suddenly pushed the huge switch upwards! boom! A dazzling spark suddenly burst out from the switch, making a loud bang! Immediately afterwards, several cables connecting the electric arc furnace became extremely hot, emitting bursts of black smoke. The steam generator at the other end of the factory gave a sharp whistling sound, followed by a crackling sound as if something had burned out. Bang! Bang! All the lights in the factory went out instantly, plunging the world into darkness. Only wisps of burnt, smelly black smoke still rose from the generator. Failed. A complete failure. “O ghost! The power of heaven has brought down punishment!” In the darkness, someone shouted, and all the craftsmen were instantly frightened and crawled out of the factory, fearing that the “electricity” would come out and swallow them. Zhang Fuan stood there in a daze, his mind blank. The huge sense of frustration and fear, like an invisible hand, tightly grasped his heart. It’s over. The task assigned by the Holy Emperor has been messed up. Just when he felt completely disheartened, a steady sound of footsteps rang out amidst the chaos, neither fast nor slow. “It’s just a small problem, why panic?” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it seemed to carry a strange magic that instantly quieted the chaotic scene. The craftsmen stopped and looked back to see that the Holy Emperor had stood at the door of the factory without them noticing. He looked calm, as if the catastrophic accident just now was just a child knocking over an ink bottle. Lin Xiao walked straight to the burnt generator, took a look at the burnt circuit and overload fuse, then walked to the arc furnace and checked the installation method of the electrode. “The circuit overload protection is too crude, and the electrode material isn’t pure enough.” He calmly pointed out the problem. “Fuan, have someone replace the backup generator. Modify the fuse according to my drawing, and use the new batch of graphite I gave you last time for the electrodes.” Zhang Fuan was still in shock, but he came to his senses immediately after hearing the words. He looked at the small drawing handed to him by Lin Xiao, which showed a brand new circuit control design. His hands were shaking with excitement. The Holy Emperor was indeed a god! He knew the problem at a glance! “Yes! Your Majesty!” he shouted, then turned and shouted at the frightened craftsmen, “What are you all standing there for! Didn’t you hear what Your Majesty said? Get to work!” With Lin Xiao personally in charge, the craftsmen’s fears largely dissipated, replaced by a blind confidence. They began to replace equipment and improve lines in a hurry, and everything was carried out in an orderly manner under Lin Xiao’s personal guidance. An hour later, the second test was ready. “Close the switch.” Lin Xiao’s voice sounded again. This time, the craftsman’s actions were much more decisive. As the switch closed, the lights in the factory came on steadily, and the backup generator roared steadily. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the steel behemoth the electric arc furnace. Zi——Buzz—— Three thick graphite electrodes slowly descended, and the moment they touched the scrap steel in the furnace, a white light brighter than the midday sun suddenly burst out in the furnace! “ah!” The craftsmen who were nearby cried out in surprise and covered their eyes with their hands. The light was too dazzling and they could not look directly at it. Inside the furnace, the artificial lightning continuously released terrifying energy. The furnace emitted a low humming sound, and the entire factory floor was shaking slightly. Chapter 515: God’s Power Reappears Through the special observation window, you can see the scrap steel in the furnace melting and boiling at an unimaginable high temperature without any flame at a speed visible to the naked eye! The molten steel rolls under the stirring of the electric arc, and a large amount of impurities are instantly vaporized and escaped. According to Lin Xiao’s instructions, the craftsmen carefully put in the several materials he gave them alloy elements such as vanadium and molybdenum. These elements are perfectly integrated into the molten steel under ultra high temperature. After a stick of incense, Lin Xiao ordered the power to be cut off. The light went out, and only a pool of molten steel remained in the furnace, calm and pure like mercury. It emitted a strange luster with a hint of blue, which was completely different from ordinary molten steel. Tilt the furnace and produce steel! Molten steel is poured into the mold, cooled, and formed. When a brand new steel ingot was hoisted out, everyone gathered around. A brave craftsman picked up a sledgehammer made of tempered steel, gathered all his strength, and smashed it hard at the new steel ingot! when! A loud and crisp sound. The craftsman felt a sharp jolt in his palm, and his entire arm went numb. He looked down, completely petrified. He saw that the hammer that had been with him for many years had a clear crack in the middle of the hammer head! On the new steel ingot, there was only a faint white spot. hiss There were sounds of people gasping for air all around. Zhang Fuan walked forward tremblingly, stretched out his fingers and gently stroked the white spot. The cold and hard touch gave him goosebumps all over his body. This is…the metal given by God! Ecstasy, like a mountain torrent and tsunami, instantly overwhelmed Zhang Fuan’s reason. He turned around suddenly, his knees softened, and with a “thump”, he knelt heavily in front of Lin Xiao, his forehead hitting the ground. “Your Majesty! Miracle! This is a miracle!” He was so excited that tears streamed down his face and his voice changed. Behind him, all the craftsmen woke up as if from a dream and fell to their knees. “Long live the Holy Emperor! This is a miracle!” The thunderous roar of worship echoed endlessly in the huge factory building. A few days later, outside Beijing, at the Arsenal Shooting Range. Minister of War Sun Mingde, leading a group of burly and fierce looking generals, was circling a half man high steel plate in the center of the field. The steel plate was a deep, dark blue in color, and its surface was as smooth as a mirror, completely different from the fine iron and refined steel they usually saw. “Your Excellency, is this the new steel that His Majesty mentioned, made… with lightning?” A bearded general reached out and knocked on the steel plate. The sound was dull and heavy, and he looked skeptical. “That’s right. Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Works knelt before His Majesty yesterday, crying like a child, saying it was a miracle.” Another general curled his lips. “From what I can see, it’s just smoother than ordinary steel plates. What’s the big deal?” Sun Mingde said nothing, just staring at the steel plate. He didn’t understand what “arc” or “alloy” meant, but he believed Lin Xiao. His Majesty said it was Kogane, so it must be Kogane! “Stop talking nonsense!” Sun Mingde roared in a muffled voice, “Push that oldest red cannon up here! Aim at it, point blank, and fire it!” Zero distance? The generals were all stunned when they heard this. That was a red cannon, a point blank bombardment, it would have blasted a huge hole in the city wall, not to mention the steel plate! Isn’t this a waste of treasure? “What are you looking at! Follow the order!” Sun Mingde glared. Several artillerymen did not dare to delay and quickly pushed a heavy old fashioned cannon to a place less than ten feet away from the steel plate. After loading and calibrating, the gun barrel was pointed at the dark blue steel plate. “ignition!” Following Sun Mingde’s order, the gunner suddenly brought the torch close to the fuse. boom!! There was a deafening bang, flames burst out, and thick black smoke instantly covered the muzzle. A solid iron bullet as big as a bowl, packed with a tremendous force, slammed into the seemingly thin steel plate at a speed that was difficult to discern with the naked eye. The generals narrowed their eyes subconsciously, as if they had already foreseen the scene of the steel plates being torn and blown away. However, the expected shattering sound did not come. Instead, there was a loud bang that was extremely crisp and even a little harsh. when!! Everyone’s eyes widened. As they watched in disbelief, the unstoppable iron bullet was suddenly bounced away by the huge reaction force the moment it touched the steel plate. It rolled in the air and slammed diagonally into the mud on the side, leaving a deep pit. In the center of the shooting range, the dark blue steel plate still stood firmly in place, motionless. The smoke cleared. Sun Mingde and all the generals were petrified. There was dead silence at the shooting range, and you could hear a pin drop. Sun Mingde was the first to react. He took two steps at a time and rushed to the steel plate like crazy. There was only a shallow pit left in the center of the mirror like steel plate. “hiss ” Behind him, there were sounds of people gasping for air. “Oh my god…it was…bulleted away?” The bearded general rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was seeing things. “What the hell is this monster!” “If this were made into armor, our soldiers would be invulnerable!” The generals were completely shocked, and the look in their eyes when they looked at the steel plate changed from initial suspicion to fanaticism and awe. Sun Mingde’s breathing became extremely heavy, his chest heaving violently. He turned back suddenly, his eyes blazing with an unprecedented light. “Next! Pull up the new cannon!” Soon, a new type of artillery with a completely different shape was pushed up. Its barrel is nearly twice as long as the old one, and it shines with the same faint blue luster as the steel plate. There are clear rifling inside the barrel. This is a rifled cannon made of new gun steel. “Target, three miles away, that hilltop! Open fire!” boom!!! There was another loud bang, but this time the sound was much crisper and more explosive than the red cannon just now! A visible air wave spread out from the muzzle, raising a layer of dust on the ground. A spindle shaped shell disappeared into the sky in an instant with a sharp whistling sound. Everyone looked up subconsciously. After several breaths, a huge ball of fire suddenly exploded on the distant hilltop that was used as a target! Boom—— The delayed explosion, even three miles away, still made everyone’s eardrums buzz. The rubble and soil were thrown dozens of meters into the air, and a corner of the hill was actually cut off. Range… Power… It is several times more powerful than the old artillery! Sun Mingde’s whole body was trembling with extreme excitement. He looked at the new cannon emitting a faint blue glow, then looked back at the armor plate with only a shallow hole left. His dark face turned red. Invincible shield, and invincible spear! With these two things, the Russian cavalry and the Western fleets are all nothing but chickens and dogs! Chapter 516 New Target “Hahaha…hahahahaha!” Sun Mingde suddenly laughed out loud, his laughter full of ecstasy and heroism, shaking the entire shooting range. “Invincible! My Hua Dynasty is invincible!” Just when the generals were excited and wanted to sweep the world immediately, a calm voice sounded behind them. “I just got some new toys. Look how happy you are.” Everyone turned around suddenly and saw that Lin Xiao had been standing there without them noticing, with a faint smile on his face. “His Majesty!” Sun Mingde and the other generals were shocked and quickly knelt down to salute. The fanaticism and admiration in their eyes had reached its peak. Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling them to stand up. He walked over to the steel plate and flicked it with his fingers, making a crisp sound. “Convey my will.” He turned around, his eyes sweeping over every general present, his voice steady and cold. “The Ministry of Industry’s electric arc furnace will immediately operate 24 hours a day, producing new alloy steel.” “At the Arsenal and Shipyard, all Dingyuan class battleships will be equipped with new alloy armor and rifled main guns.” “I want our fleet to become a true steel fortress on the sea!” When Sun Mingde and others heard this, they felt a surge of hot blood rushing from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads! Use this kind of divine steel to arm the ironclad ship that is already like a giant beast in the sea? They could no longer imagine how terrifying that existence would be! Use such a fleet to fight against that ignorant Western fleet… The same picture emerged in everyone’s mind: the Western artillery shells hit their own warships, like tickling, and a salvo of their own warships’ main guns sent the enemy fleet into the deep sea from which there was no return. “As you wish!” Sun Mingde knelt on one knee, his voice like a bell, and his roar was filled with infinite desire for the coming war. “General, I swear to destroy that Western fleet without a single piece of armor left!” A few days later, in the southern waters. On the blue sea, three huge sailing battleships flying the red and white Union Jack formed a V shape, like three moving wooden castles, sailing slowly. On the stern deck of the “Victory”, Commander James put down the monocular brass telescope in his hand, with an undisguised arrogance on his face. He stood straight, his white navy uniform rustling in the sea breeze. “Sir James, what did you see?” the adjutant beside him asked respectfully. “Chimneys, lots of chimneys.” James’ voice was a little playful, “And coal fired ships. It seems the rumors about changes taking place in this ancient Eastern empire are not groundless.” Through the telescope, he could clearly see the tall chimneys dotted on the distant coastline, emitting black smoke. On the sea, you can occasionally see a few coal burning, sailless merchant ships entering and leaving the port, appearing to be quite busy. This scene surprised him somewhat. It was completely different from the descriptions he had heard about the ignorance and backwardness of Oriental people. This empire called “Hua Chao” seems to have reached the threshold of industry. But this does not change James’ inner contempt. In his view, these were nothing more than poor Oriental imitations of the great English Empire. What good are a few smokestacks and a few coal fired ships? The brilliance of the British Empire’s Royal Navy is enough to illuminate and conquer any ocean on this planet. “It seems our mission will be more interesting than we imagined.” James sneered. “These Orientals seem to have something worth buying. We also need a sufficiently powerful force to teach them the order of modern civilization.” He believed that it was time to knock on the door of this empire. “Order the Warrior and Conqueror to flank forward.” James gave the order, pointing to a lone Chinese merchant ship in the distance that had just left the port. “Stop that ship for me.” “As you command, sir!” As the order was given, the two huge sailing battleships immediately adjusted their courses, spread their sails, and encircled the Chinese merchant ship like two hunting sharks. The sea breeze is howling over the East China Sea. Qian Sihai, captain of the merchant ship “Fu’an”, was standing in the cabin, looking at the nautical chart. He is Qian Mancang’s distant nephew. Ever since the last caravan was attacked by Japanese pirates, the rise of the Hua Dynasty navy has made merchants like him much bolder. Every ocean going merchant ship is now required to be equipped with a wireless telegraph. “Captain! This is bad!” A lookout rushed in in a panic. “Unidentified fleets have been spotted on both flanks, closing in on us at high speed!” Qian Sihai’s heart tightened and he immediately raised the telescope. I saw two huge wooden warships as big as mountains pressing in from the left and right. The ship was full of sails, and the densely packed gun ports were dark, emitting a powerful aura. “It’s a Western ship!” Qian Sihai recognized the type of ship at a glance. Soon, the three Western battleships completed the encirclement and trapped the “Fu’an” in the center. James stood at the bow of the “Victory”, looking down at the steam merchant ship which was several times smaller than his battleship, with a smile of confidence on his face. He ordered an interpreter to speak to the other party through a loudspeaker. “Listen up, Chinese merchant ships ahead! We are the British Empire’s Royal Navy! This sea area is now under our jurisdiction. You must immediately stop for inspection and pay a passage fee of 100,000 taels of silver! Otherwise, we will regard this as a provocation and sink it!” Arrogant shouts came with the wind, causing a commotion among the crew members of the “Fu’an”, with many of them showing expressions of fear on their faces. However, there was no trace of panic on Captain Qian Sihai’s face. He recalled what the naval officers had said during training before setting off: “In the territorial waters of the Chinese Dynasty, you will always have the invincible Imperial Fleet behind you.” He snorted coldly, ignoring James’s blackmail, and turned to the radio operator beside him and gave a deep order: “Send a telegram to the East China Sea Fleet Headquarters immediately! Our ship, the Fu’an, at coordinates XXX, has been surrounded and blackmailed by three Union Jack flying Western sailing warships! Requesting support!” “yes!” The operator sat down immediately and began tapping the keys of the telegraph machine rapidly. A series of subtle and rapid “tick tick” sounds turned into invisible radio waves, instantly crossing hundreds of miles of sea. James frowned when he saw no reaction from the other party. “What the hell are these yellow monkeys doing? Why don’t they surrender?” He said impatiently, “Fire a warning shot! Show them some color!” “boom!” A muzzle loading gun on the “Victory” made a loud noise, and a solid bullet whizzed down and landed more than ten meters in front of the bow of the “Fu’an”, stirring up a column of water that shot up into the sky. However, the ship remained where it was, neither lowering its flag nor surrendering, as if waiting for something. Chapter 517 This is the Target Time passes by every second. Just as James’s patience was about to run out and he was about to order a general attack to blow this ungrateful merchant ship into pieces, a lookout on the mast suddenly let out a terrified scream. “Sir! East… east! What the hell is that?!” James frowned unhappily, raised his telescope and looked towards the sea level in the east. At the end of the field of vision, a straight black column of smoke was moving towards this side at an incredible speed. At first, he thought it was another Chinese merchant ship and even felt a little disdainful. Another one would only bring another prisoner. But soon, his expression changed. As the distance shortened, the outline of the ship gradually became clearer in the telescope. James’ pupils suddenly shrank to the size of a needle tip. It was a large ship…without masts or sails, and the entire hull was made entirely of steel! What frightened and puzzled him the most was its speed! The giant steel ship was crushing the waves, approaching at high speed. Its speed far exceeded the fastest fast sailing ship of the Imperial Navy! James’s hand, gripping the telescope, began to tremble slightly. His mind went blank, and all his naval common sense was completely overturned at this moment. “Oh my God…” he muttered absentmindedly. “What kind of boat is that? How can it go so fast without a sail?!” The one that came was the Dingyuan battleship, which had completed all the modifications. The Dingyuan was getting closer and closer. Its huge size, like a moving mountain, brought an unparalleled sense of oppression to all the English soldiers on the three sailing battleships. Especially the huge main gun at the bow that gleams with metallic luster and has a deep muzzle that makes everyone who sees it feel suffocated. On the “Fu’an”, Captain Qian Sihai and all the crew members have rushed onto the deck. They looked at their mighty and majestic steel ship, and were so excited that they were shaking all over and their eyes were wet. “It’s the Dingyuan! It’s our empire’s Dingyuan!” “God bless the Hua Dynasty! Long live the Holy Emperor!” Cheers rang out one after another, and the fear just now was swept away, replaced by endless pride and a sense of security. James’s face flushed the color of liver. The other side’s cheers were so harsh to his ears, like a loud slap in the face. His arrogance and dignity were crushed to pieces by the steel monster at this moment. In anger and humiliation, fear was replaced by rage. “It’s just a tin toy made by the Orientals!” James roared, encouraging himself and his soldiers. “No matter how big or fast it is, it’s just a ship! The Royal Navy’s gunfire is enough to tear any enemy apart!” He suddenly drew out his command knife and pointed it at the slowly approaching Dingyuan. “All fleet, fire a salvo to port! Bomb it into the seabed!” The order was given and the well trained English gunners immediately took action. From the “Victory” came the sharp whistles of officers, and the gunners shouted slogans and pushed out the heavy muzzle loading cannons from the gun ports. “Fire!” Boom! Boom! Boom! Thick white smoke and flames suddenly spewed out from the sides of the three battleships, “Victory”, “Warrior” and “Conqueror”. Hundreds of black solid iron bullets, with a sharp whistling sound, hit the Dingyuan in an overwhelming manner. There was a flicker of cruel pleasure in James’ eyes. He seemed to have seen the hull of the iron ship being pitted and torn apart by the artillery fire, and finally sinking into the sea in despair. However, what happened next completely froze the smile on his face. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! A series of crisp and dull metallic collision sounds were heard. Those shells, powerful enough to bring down city walls, hit the dark blue alloy armor of the Dingyuan like stones thrown by children hitting an anvil. Sparks flew. And then… nothing happened. Under the huge impact force, most of the shells were directly bounced away, deformed, and fell powerlessly into the sea, splashing small water droplets. Some shells even bounced back and hit the side of the British ship, making a teeth grinding sound of shattering. When the smoke cleared, the Dingyuan continued to sail steadily, without even a dent on its smooth alloy armor. The entire English fleet fell into silence. James stood at the bow of the boat, his mouth unconsciously open and his eyes wide open, almost popping out of their sockets. The adjutants and sailors around him were also collectively petrified, with the same look of dullness and confusion on their faces. Their shells…are unable to penetrate the enemy’s armor? This is impossible! This is absolutely impossible! This is witchcraft! On the bridge of the Dingyuan, the new admiral of the East China Sea Fleet, Sun Zhi, looked coldly through a telescope at the group of Westerners opposite who looked as if they had seen a ghost, with a contemptuous sneer on the corner of his mouth. “A bunch of barbarians still playing with wooden boats, dare to come to our Hua Dynasty and run wild.” He put down the telescope and said in a voice full of majesty, “Pass on my order, main guns ready, target the enemy flagship. Teach them a lesson in what war is.” “Yes, sir!” As the order was conveyed, the huge main turret of the Dingyuan emitted a low mechanical sound and began to rotate steadily and powerfully. The black muzzle of the gun accurately locked onto James’ flagship, the “Victory”. James shuddered all over, and an unprecedented chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He looked at the gun barrel slowly pointing towards him, and for the first time, the shadow of death loomed so clearly in his heart. “Quick! Turn! Avoid!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. However, it was all too late. boom!!! A loud bang was heard, completely different from the British artillery! The sound was more like a thunderclap, crisp, explosive, and full of destructive power! The main gun of Dingyuan roared, and a long tongue of fire spurted out of the muzzle. A spindle shaped shell, with a sharp whistling sound, like a flash of lightning, instantly crossed the distance between the two sides. The next second, the shell accurately hit the middle of the hull of the “Victory”. There was no “bang” sound as I had imagined. The sturdy oak hull was as fragile as paper in front of the alloy armor piercing bullet, and a terrifying hole was torn in an instant. Immediately afterwards, the delay fuse was triggered. Boom——!!! An even duller explosion came from the belly of the Victory. A huge fireball mixed with black smoke and countless wood chips gushed out from the big hole. The deck was blown away by the huge force, and dozens of sailors were blown to pieces while screaming. As everyone looked on in horror, the towering mainmast of the Victory groaned under the weight, then broke in half, carrying with it the burning sails, and crashed heavily onto the deck, sending up sparks all over the sky. Chapter 518: Great Victory in the East China Sea Just one shot! The British Royal Navy’s proud three class sailing battleship “Victory” was severely damaged on the spot and completely lost its combat effectiveness and mobility. A raging fire broke out on the hull, and it was slowly tilting at a speed visible to the naked eye. One shot decides everything! A violent shock wave accompanied by a heat wave hit James in the face. He was thrown to the ground and his head hit the deck hard. His ears were buzzing and all that was left was the screams of his dying comrades. He struggled to raise his head, his face covered in black soot and unbelievable horror. What kind of artillery is this? The range is twice theirs, and the power is even more different! This weapon is not even from the same dimension! The disaster of the “Victory” completely crushed the morale of the English fleet. The remaining “Warrior” and “Conqueror” fell into great chaos. The Dingyuan did not give them any chance to breathe. The huge main turret slowly turned again and locked onto another battleship, the Warrior. “No! No!” The captain of the “Warrior” screamed in despair and frantically ordered the helmsman to turn. But the bulky sailing warship seemed very slow compared to the agile Dingyuan. boom! Another thunder roared. Same trajectory, same result. The side armor of the “Warrior” was easily torn open, and the violent explosion almost broke it in half. The seawater rushed in frantically, and the ship tilted at an alarming speed. The soldiers who fell into the water struggled and called for help in the icy water, but were soon swallowed by the whirlpool. This was no longer a battle, but a one sided massacre. Everyone on the Conqueror was terrified. Seeing the hellish scene not far away, their mental defenses completely collapsed. An officer gave a trembling order, lowering the fleet’s flag and raising the white flag. A moment later, the “Victory”, which was still burning stubbornly, also sent out a signal of surrender. On the sea, only the towering figure of the Dingyuan and two broken ships emitting thick smoke remained. James was rescued from the sea by Chinese sailors and escorted to the Dingyuan. When his boots touched the hard, cold steel deck, his body shuddered involuntarily. The touch under his feet and the Chinese soldiers on the deck standing in uniform with cold eyes made him feel a chill from the depths of his soul. He looked at the gun barrels that were thicker than his thighs, at the various sophisticated machines on the ship that he had never heard of or seen before, and then at the two dilapidated wooden boats behind him. James’ mind went blank, and the last bit of pride that belonged to the commander of the British Empire Navy was crushed. He finally understood what kind of existence he had provoked. This is not an ancient Eastern country that is backward, wealthy, and can be bullied at will. This is a terrifying empire that is disguised as a civilized nation but possesses overwhelming power. With a “thump”, James’ legs went soft and he knelt on the deck, completely collapsing. The news of the naval victory was transmitted back to the capital at the speed of light via wireless telegram. Just half an hour later, when the East China Sea Fleet was still cleaning up the battlefield, the capital city was already plunged into a sea of carnival. “Great victory! Great victory in the East China Sea!” “Our navy defeated the Westerners!” “One ship defeated three! And captured their leader alive!” The news spread like wildfire, reaching thousands of households in the capital. People spontaneously took to the streets, beating drums and gongs and setting off firecrackers in celebration. The entire capital was in an uproar, even more lively than during the Chinese New Year. The next day, the Huachao Dibao was urgently reprinted, and the front page headline used an extremely clear photo to show the empire’s military prowess to the whole world. In the photo, the majestic hull of the Dingyuan occupies most of the page, and the black main gun seems to still emit the afterglow of gunpowder. Behind it were two Western warships with broken masts and tattered hulls, flying white flags in a panic. Countless people gathered in front of the newspaper stand, pointing at the photo, their faces flushed with excitement. The visual impact brought by the giant steel ship and the sense of pride made every citizen of the Hua Dynasty feel proud. In the imperial study. Sun Mingde was excitedly reporting the details of the naval battle. Song Qinghe and other cabinet ministers stood by, all of them with happy expressions on their faces, their eyes full of infinite admiration for the man on the throne. Lin Xiao listened quietly, his face calm, as if he was listening to a trivial matter. Only after Sun Mingde finished his report did he gently put down the teacup in his hand and said calmly, “I understand.” It should be so. This result was destined from the moment he took out the electric arc furnace drawings. Song Qinghe and the others were already accustomed to Lin Xiao’s composure, but they could not calm their excitement. They all bowed and saluted: “The Holy Emperor’s divine power is unparalleled. This is the foundation of our Hua Dynasty for eternity!” Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling them to stand up. “The results are good, but don’t be complacent.” He glanced at the crowd. “Immediately interrogate the prisoners, especially Commander James. I want to know everything about the Western Ocean. How many countries do they have? Which is the strongest? How many troops are there? How advanced are their firearms?” Everyone was startled and immediately understood Lin Xiao’s profound meaning. The Holy Emperor’s gaze had already passed beyond the victory in front of him and was cast towards the more distant other side of the ocean. Lin Xiao paused, then added, “Send the order down, have the shipyard expedite the production. Place an order for four more Dingyuan class battleships. Also, have the Institute of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Industry collaborate to design a new, smaller, faster cruiser specifically for escort and reconnaissance, capable of large scale production.” He stood up, walked to the huge world map, and his eyes fell on the vast blue sea. “My fleet cannot just circle around our own doorstep.” “I want them to be able to reach any ocean in the world.” The harem, Fengyi Palace. The news of the great victory in the East China Sea filled the entire palace with a sense of honor and joy. Liu Weilan personally brewed new tea for several sisters. Her movements were graceful and calm, like flowing clouds and running water. But the slightly upturned corners of her mouth and the light in her eyes revealed her inner unrest. As the former queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty, she knew better than anyone how significant it was to defeat a “barbarian” fleet from the far west. This was not just a victory in a naval battle, but also a declaration to the whole world that this continent had a new and unchallengeable master. Her man, Lin Xiao, no longer sees the Great Zhou Dynasty, but the vast blue sky. This realization sent a shudder through her heart, followed by an admiration that almost melted her completely. Chapter 519 God of War “I really want to see it with my own eyes!” Agula stroked her obviously bulging belly, but her face did not have the gentleness of a mother at all. Instead, it was full of the excitement and yearning of a warrior. “One shot! It blew such a big wooden boat in two! If I were here, I would definitely fire that cannon myself and blow it to pieces!” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but wave her fist vigorously, which made Tuya beside her quickly pull her back. “You are a double now, so you can’t be so excited.” Tuya smiled happily and advised gently, but there was also a glint of pride in her eyes. The stronger her men, the more secure their position in this new land. In the corner, Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, were quietly adding snacks to everyone’s table, their movements becoming increasingly respectful and humble. When they heard the news, the mother and daughter looked at each other and saw deep fear and relief in each other’s eyes. It turns out that the enemy of His Majesty the Holy Emperor is not just their small country of Japan. Even the Westerners, who were said to have strong ships and powerful guns, were so vulnerable in front of his steel fleet. Their original choice was so wise. Being able to become a maid of such an emperor may be the greatest luck in the life of mother and daughter. Just when the atmosphere in the hall was getting heated, Lin Xiao appeared at the door. The women’s attention was instantly drawn to him, as if all the light in the entire palace was focused on him. There is love and attachment in their eyes, but more of it is a kind of admiration and awe from the depths of their souls. “His Majesty!” They all stood up and saluted. “Please sit down, we are family, no need to be polite.” Lin Xiao smiled and waved his hand, walked straight to Agula, and gently stopped her from getting up. “You are a key protected person now, so don’t move around.” His tone was a little reproachful, but the doting in his eyes could not be hidden. A blush appeared on Agula’s cheeks. The pearl of the grassland, who was so heroic just now, was now as well behaved as a kitten, and her heart was so sweet that it was about to melt. Liu Weilan brought a cup of ginseng tea and walked lightly to Lin Xiao’s side. She said softly, “Your Majesty has been working hard these days. This is what I just made. Please moisten your throat.” She has now completely shed the dignity and aloofness of the previous queen, and her every frown and smile are filled with the gentleness and consideration of a wife. Lin Xiao took the teacup and glanced across the hall. The once high and mighty Queen of Zhou now cooks for him. The once unruly grassland horse is now bearing offspring for him. The once gorgeous and unparalleled Queen of Japan and her daughter are now as humble as dust before him. The feeling of having all the beautiful women of different identities and personalities in his hands gave Lin Xiao an indescribable sense of conquest and satisfaction. This world and these beauties are all in his hands. At this moment, a series of crisp system prompt sounds rang in his mind. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by +5, currently at 125!] [Ding! Agula’s favorability +5, current favorability 85!] [Ding! Tuya’s favorability increased by 5, currently at 51!] [Ding! Detected that the host’s prestige has reached a new peak, people’s hearts are united, and you will get a special lottery chance! ] Lin Xiao’s heart moved, and the smile on his lips deepened. Good things come in pairs. He enjoyed being surrounded and served by the women, and his heart was filled with joy. He was already looking forward to what kind of surprises the system would bring him this time. It’s late at night and everyone is asleep. Lin Xiao gently put down the sleeping Liu Weiweilan in his arms, covered her with a quilt, and then quietly got up and walked to the window. He calmed down and said to himself, “System, draw a prize!” The system interface in front of me lit up instantly, and the light flowed. The roulette wheel spun wildly, the light flickered, and finally, after a violent vibration, it slowly stopped. A line of huge golden font was printed on Lin Xiao’s retina. “Detailed Explanation of Modern Chemical Explosives and Artillery Technology”! (Including: nitroglycerin stabilization technology, industrial production of TNT, smokeless powder (Kodak powder) formula and production process, intermittent thread locking mechanism for breech loading guns, and a complete set of design drawings for trigger and delayed striker fuzes…) Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly contracted in an instant! Breathing stagnated. Immediately afterwards, an uncontrollable ecstasy, like a volcanic eruption, exploded from the deepest part of his heart! God of War! This is the real God of War! If electric arc furnace steelmaking is the skeleton of the empire, then this technology is the empire’s indestructible iron fist! boom ! Before he could recover from his ecstasy, a tsunami like torrent of knowledge had already rushed into his brain. Complex and precise chemical synthesis formulas, like dancing runes, were arranged and combined in his mind. The precise proportions of different explosives and the role of each ingredient are extremely clear. The most perfect pitch design of the gun rifling can give the projectile maximum rotational stability. And then there’s the breech loading gun locking mechanism, a work of art, and the firing pin fuse that controls the moment of destruction… The torrent of knowledge hit every nerve of his, but it did not bring him pain, but an incomparable comfort of controlling the ultimate power! Lin Xiao closed his eyes, and his body even trembled slightly due to excessive excitement. In his mind, a whole new picture is unfolding. He saw that in the arsenal, workers no longer had to laboriously load ammunition from the muzzle of a gun. The artillerymen opened the breech, stuffed in the fixed shells that gleamed with brass, and then locked the breech with a “click”. The whole process was efficient and fast, and the loading speed was more than ten times faster than it is now! He saw that the shells were no longer bulky iron lumps, but were filled with terrifying yellow explosives. They roared out and landed in the enemy camp, and what exploded was no longer a small cloud of black smoke, but a huge fireball that swallowed everything! The shock wave of the explosion can tear enemies within several meters into pieces, and countless high speed fragments will form a fan of death, harvesting indiscriminately! He saw that the rifles in the soldiers’ hands were no longer spewing out thick smoke that blocked their vision, but almost invisible light blue smoke. The birth of smokeless gunpowder means that the battlefield will become clearer than ever before, and machine guns can carry out more sustained and deadly strafing! A prototype of a truly modern military industry was quickly constructed and perfected in his mind. After a long time, Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, a cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he whispered to himself. “Western colonizers…” “Are you ready for real fear?” Chapter 520: Rebuilding the Universe The next day, the sky was just getting light. The lights in the imperial study were already on and the atmosphere was solemn. Zhang Fuan, the Minister of Works, and several core members of the Chemistry and Physics Departments of the Academy of Sciences sat upright. They were all urgently summoned from their respective residences or laboratories at night by Lin Xiao’s order. Everyone was burning with anxiety and anticipation. The divine steel forged in the electric arc furnace completely overturned their understanding of metal. In their hearts, the Holy Emperor was no different from the Creator God. They firmly believed that today’s emergency summons would bring about a new miracle. Lin Xiao stood up from the dragon throne and walked straight to the huge blackboard that had been prepared on the side without saying a word. He picked up a piece of white chalk, turned around, and began writing on the blackboard. Lines of winding “heavenly book” composed of various symbols and numbers appeared before everyone’s eyes. Zhang Fuan widened his eyes and stared at the blackboard. He believed that he had learned a lot of new things from the Holy Emperor, and now he could understand most of the various drawings, but he couldn’t understand any of these weird drawings in front of him. That feeling was even more confusing than when I first saw the electric arc furnace drawings. Several learned scholars in the Academy of Gewu were even more frightened by what they saw. They were the top talents in the field of new studies in China, but looking at the strange ring shaped structure composed of the symbols C, H, N, and O on the blackboard, they felt like their brains had turned into a pot of paste. “What…what is this?” An old professor of chemistry couldn’t help but mutter to himself, his voice full of frustration. This is a hundred times more complicated than the polymerization reaction formula of synthetic rubber! Synthetic rubber could at least be understood as “stringing” certain things together, but the thing in front of them was completely beyond their understanding. After Lin Xiao finished writing the last character, he put the chalk aside, turned around, and calmly swept his eyes over the expressions of shock on everyone’s faces. “This,” he pointed to the molecular formula on the blackboard, “is called TNT. It’s a high explosive.” Then, he drew a production flow chart on the other side. From cotton processing, to nitration reaction, to the final stabilization process, each step is clearly marked. “And this is the production method of smokeless gunpowder.” Explosives? Everyone was startled. “Holy Emperor, the black gunpowder we currently have is already very powerful…” Zhang Fuan said doubtfully. “No.” Lin Xiao shook his head, his tone calm but with unquestionable authority. “What you call gunpowder is just burning. But the dynamite I’m talking about releases energy instantly. That’s called an explosion.” He explained, “Everything is made of energy. An explosion is the instantaneous release of the chemical energy contained within matter, transforming it into enormous heat and impact force within a very short period of time.” He drew a simple diagram on the blackboard with chalk. “Traditional black powder releases less than 30% of its energy, and most of that energy is wasted on producing thick smoke and light. What I’m going to teach you today is how to increase that efficiency to 90%, or even 100%!” Everyone was confused and seemed to understand but not quite. Lin Xiao put it more bluntly: “A pound of black powder can blast a stone. But a pound of TNT can turn that stone into powder. And smokeless gunpowder can increase the range and power of artillery several times, and when fired, there is almost no smoke.” hiss ! There was a sound of people sucking in their breath in shock in the imperial study. Zhang Fuan and several scholars from the Academy of Sciences heard a loud “boom” in their heads, as if thunder had exploded. They finally understood. What the Holy Emperor wanted to create wasn’t some improved gunpowder at all, but a brand new “heavenly thunder” a hundred, a thousand times more powerful! In an instant, everyone’s expression changed. The bewildered look of someone reading a mysterious book disappeared, replaced by an uncontrollable enthusiasm and excitement! They seemed to have seen that the enemy’s city walls were as fragile as sand castles in the face of this “heavenly thunder”. “I will build a top secret arsenal in the suburbs of Beijing.” Lin Xiao’s voice echoed in the quiet imperial study. “The Ministry of Industry and the Academy of Sciences will jointly oversee the research and development of new explosives and artillery, regardless of cost or expense!” “Your Majesty, we obey your order!” Zhang Fuan and others knelt on the ground in unison, their voices trembling with extreme excitement. However, the research and development process is far more difficult and dangerous than imagined. In the outskirts of Beijing, in a secret valley heavily guarded by troops. The chemistry laboratory was filled with a gloomy and depressing atmosphere. “boom!” With a muffled sound, billowing yellow smoke emerged from an independent reaction room, and a pungent smell instantly spread. A young researcher in charge of the operation was knocked to the ground by the shock wave. His face was black, half of his hair and eyebrows were burnt off, and he was so scared that he collapsed on the ground and trembled. “Quick! Ventilate quickly!” “Fire! Drag the people out!” The laboratory was in chaos. Zhang Fuan was horrified when he saw the devastated scene. The contents of these bottles and jars are even more terrifying than the swords on the battlefield. Similar small explosions and accidents occurred over the next few days. The entire R&D team was shrouded in gloom. Zhang Fuan was exhausted and even began to doubt whether he was capable of completing the task. The researchers were even more nervous, and every step was like dancing on the edge of a knife. But even so, no one dared to give up. This was a death order issued by the Holy Emperor himself. Just when everyone was about to be crushed by pressure and fear, Lin Xiao personally visited this secret arsenal. He did not blame anyone, but just calmly took a look around and pointed out several fatal mistakes in their operating procedures. “Safety regulations were written by me using knowledge that surpasses your time. They are not for show; they are meant to save lives.” Lin Xiao’s tone was calm, but it made everyone present lower their heads in shame. “Also, the protective measures were too poor.” He immediately ordered a batch of special acid and alkali resistant synthetic rubber to be transferred from the rubber factory, and personally guided the craftsmen to make thicker protective gloves, full body protective aprons, and even simple explosion proof masks with transparent mica sheets. Looking at these new protective equipment, Zhang Fuan and a group of researchers were so moved that they almost cried. The Holy Emperor not only bestowed upon them divine knowledge, but also cared about the lives of mortals like them. With Lin Xiao’s personal guidance and better security guarantees, the research and development work finally got on the right track. A few weeks later. The final round of tests was carried out in a top level protection laboratory. Zhang Fuan was wearing heavy protective clothing and standing outside the observation window. His palms were full of sweat and his heart was almost beating in his throat. In the laboratory, the chief researcher carefully completed the last step according to the perfect ratio and process formulated by Lin Xiao . Chapter 521 No More Rivals When the reaction was over and the product was safely taken out, everyone held their breath. It was a solid crystal with the color of topaz and uniform texture, lying quietly in a lead tray. “Success…” The chief researcher’s voice was trembling. On the other side, thin strips like beige noodles were also produced, with a smooth surface and no impurities. The trial production of TNT explosives and smokeless gunpowder was successful! When the two samples were presented to Lin Xiao, Zhang Fuan was so excited that tears filled his eyes. With trembling hands, he held up the piece of yellow TNT, feeling that what he was holding was not a piece of dynamite, but the hegemony and future of the entire Huachao Empire! He fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowed deeply to Lin Xiao, and shouted with all his might, “The Holy Emperor’s divine power will reshape the world! Once this thing is released, there will be no rivals in the world!” A secret testing ground outside Beijing. This is the highest level restricted area in the Hua Dynasty. There is a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. Not even a bird can fly in. In the center of the test site, on an empty field, stood a giant piece of granite as big as three rooms. This was transported from the Xishan Quarry by the Ministry of Industry at great pains, specifically for testing the power of the new “Sky Thunder”. Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, while Sun Mingde, Zhang Fuan and a group of core generals and officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works followed behind him with bated breath. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the huge rock. “Let’s start.” Lin Xiao said calmly. After receiving the order, Zhang Fuan immediately ordered the craftsmen to move forward. In the first round of testing, an equal amount of traditional black powder was used. The craftsmen carefully stuffed a large gunpowder bag into the crevice reserved at the bottom of the boulder, lit the long fuse, and ran away quickly. Everyone held their breath. “Boom!” A dull bang was heard, accompanied by a thick black smoke rising into the sky. When the smoke and dust cleared a little, everyone looked closely. The huge granite still stood in its original place, but its surface was blackened by smoke and had several clearly visible cracks on it. The largest crack almost split the boulder in two. “Yes, it’s quite powerful.” A bearded general touched his chin and nodded. “Well, if it is used to blow up the city gate, burying a few more such medicine bags will be enough.” Another general echoed. Although Sun Mingde knew that the Holy Emperor’s things were definitely not ordinary, when he saw the effect, he felt that it was about the same as he expected. Everyone was discussing it, and they all felt that although the power was great, it was still within their understanding. Lin Xiao looked at their reactions and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. “Zhang Fuan, change into new ones.” “Yes, Holy Emperor!” Zhang Fuan’s voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement. Two craftsmen wearing special protective suits carried a heavy lead box and walked carefully to the boulder. What they took out was a yellow block that was only one tenth the size of the black powder bag, which was TNT. “Holy Emperor, this… is just this little?” Sun Mingde looked at the pitifully small yellow square and couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice. The black powder bag just now was ten times bigger than this thing. Lin Xiao glanced at him and said calmly, “Watch it.” The craftsman connected the fuse, trotted back and lit the fire. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the burning fuse. When the sparks disappeared, time seemed to freeze. There was no loud noise as expected. All was silent. Just when a general couldn’t help but ask if it was a misfire “boom !” A loud noise, the like of which they had never heard in their lives and which seemed to be able to tear the sky apart, exploded! The whole earth was shaking violently, like a dragon turning over. A white shock wave visible to the naked eye spread wildly in a circular shape, blowing away all the dust and gravel on the ground. Sun Mingde and a group of generals only felt a sharp pain in their eardrums, a buzzing in their heads, and instantly lost the ability to think. They lost their balance and were pushed back repeatedly by the terrifying shock wave. Some of them even fell to the ground with horror on their faces. Immediately afterwards, a huge mushroom cloud of smoke and dust rose from the center of the explosion and soared into the sky. The entire testing ground was in complete silence. Everyone was stunned by this devastating scene. After a long time, when the smoke and dust slowly dissipated, everyone raised their heads tremblingly and looked at the field. There, it was empty. The huge granite that was as big as a hill has completely disappeared. All that was left was a huge, bottomless pit with a diameter of more than ten meters. The walls of the pit were burned black and turned into glass, and wisps of blue smoke were still rising from it. Countless tiny pieces of gravel splashed hundreds of meters away like raindrops. Sun Mingde and all the generals were petrified. Their mouths were opened wide enough to fit a fist, their eyes were as big as copper bells, and the expressions on their faces changed from shock to horror, and finally to a kind of fear that was almost like seeing a ghost. “Then…where is the stone?” A general stammered, his voice so hoarse that it didn’t sound like his own. “It’s gone…blown into… ashes…” another person muttered to himself, his eyes empty, it was obvious that his worldview had completely collapsed. This…how can this be considered gunpowder? This is clearly a world destroying thunder that can only be wielded by the gods above the nine heavens! Sun Mingde’s whole body was shaking violently, not because of fear, but because of an extreme, uncontrollable ecstasy! He turned around abruptly and looked at the figure’s back, who had remained indifferent from beginning to end. He finally understood! City walls? Fortresses? Enemy warships? In front of such a divine object, everything will be as fragile as paper! Fortified cities and fortresses will lose their meaning! The form of war will be completely changed because of this! “Plop!” Sun Mingde could no longer control his inner excitement. He fell heavily to his knees and shouted incoherently in the direction of Lin Xiao with all his strength: “The Holy Emperor… The Holy Emperor controls the heavenly thunder! His divine power is unparalleled, and his might conquers the world!” The generals behind him woke up as if from a dream and reacted one after another. They rushed to kneel on the ground, their foreheads pressed tightly against the ground, their bodies trembling with fear and excitement. “The Holy Emperor’s divine power! The Hua Dynasty will be victorious!” “Long live our emperor!” The roars like a tsunami echoed over the empty testing ground. Lin Xiao slowly turned around and looked at the generals kneeling on the ground. His expression remained calm, but a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. That’s more like it. This is the firepower he wants. He raised his hand, his voice not loud but clearly heard by everyone: “Everyone, get up.” “Pass on my command,” his voice turned cold and majestic, “New artillery and explosives, immediately deploy! Prioritize supply to the navy and border guards!” “I want to let those ignorant barbarians and Western barbarians know what kind of heavenly punishment they will face if they dare to covet our Hua Dynasty’s territory!” Chapter 522 Western Barbarians “I obey your order!” Sun Mingde and others knelt on the ground with a loud bang, and the sound shook the whole area. At this moment, an official from the Intelligence Department came galloping over on a fast horse with a serious expression. “Your Majesty! Urgent news from the South! Important intelligence has been obtained from the captured Rakshasa commander and English Captain James!” The official handed over a thick file. Lin Xiao took it and opened it. The files record in detail the intelligence obtained through interrogation and cross verification. It turns out that in the far West, there is not only one England or Rakshasa country. They belong to a vast “Western civilization world” consisting of dozens of countries. After completing the first industrial revolution, these countries cast their greedy eyes on the whole world. They formed the so called “Combined Fleet”, headed by the English Navy, and gathered the forces of more than a dozen countries, which were gathering in the Indian Ocean. Its commander in chief was an English aristocrat known for his arrogance and cruelty Admiral Archibald Harrington. Their target was the East, which was said to be extremely rich but was considered weak and vulnerable. James and the Rakshasa fleet were just the advance scouts they sent out. The corners of Lin Xiao’s mouth curled up into a cold arc. Combined Fleet? That’s perfect, it saves him from having to look for them one by one. In the imperial study, the scent of sandalwood lingered. Lin Xiao casually threw the intelligence about the Western Combined Fleet on the table, tapping the table lightly with his fingertips, making a rhythmic sound. The chief minister of the cabinet Song Qinghe, the minister of civil affairs Li Dequan, the minister of war Sun Mingde, the minister of industry Zhang Fuan, and several core ministers of the Hua Dynasty stood by with different expressions. “Combined Fleet…what a big name.” Lin Xiao’s tone did not reveal his emotion. “A bunch of ignorant barbarians!” Sun Mingde was the first one who couldn’t hold back. His rough face was full of anger, like a provoked lion. “Holy Emperor! Please give me an order! I am willing to lead the Dingyuan and Zhenbei, no, just one! I will personally go to the Indian Ocean and feed their so called joint fleet to the ass!” He was spitting and was very excited, as if he was about to rush out of the palace and jump onto the warship in the next second. Zhang Fuan was shocked when he heard this and muttered softly, “My great General Sun, that’s the ocean, not the inland sea at our doorstep. You better be careful…” “Master Zhang, you are wrong!” Sun Mingde glared. “With the divine ships and powerful guns bestowed by the Holy Emperor, I would dare to venture into the Indian Ocean, even to the ends of the earth!” “Ahem,” Song Qinghe cleared his throat, stepped out of the line and bowed, “Saint Emperor, General Sun’s loyalty and bravery are commendable, but this matter requires further consideration.” This cabinet chief has always been steady. “The Western Barbarian nations have come out in full force, their momentum is truly immense. While our Hua Dynasty possesses divine power, it is still a relatively new nation, and much remains to be done. Urban reconstruction, water conservancy projects, and railway construction across the country are all enormously costly undertakings. If we were to launch an all out war with the entire Western Barbarian world at this moment, it would hinder our dynasty’s development plans and harm the people’s livelihood.” Song Qinghe paused and continued, “In my opinion, we should first demonstrate our military might and crush their vanguard with lightning speed. Then, we can send envoys to explain the pros and cons. Let them understand that our Hua Dynasty is not a country they can bully at will . If we can resolve it through trade, then we should avoid using force. This is the best strategy.” Li Dequan also nodded in agreement. “Your Excellency, the Prime Minister is absolutely right. Wars are fought for money and food. Although our granaries are full, the population is also growing rapidly, and money is needed everywhere. The Holy Emperor has worked hard to ensure that the people live in peace. If another war breaks out, this old minister… this old minister will be heartbroken.” The two civil servants, one focusing on national strategy and the other concerned with the people’s livelihood, both tend to be cautious. For a time, the two opinions of advocating war and advocating peace formed a sharp contrast in the imperial study. Sun Mingde was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks. He wanted to refute, but he felt that what the two adults said made sense, and his face turned red with embarrassment. “Diplomacy?” He stiffened his neck and spoke in a muffled voice. “My best diplomat is my 300mm main gun! Trying to reason with those barbarians is like talking to a cow.” “General Sun, your opinion is that of a fool!” Song Qinghe blew his beard and glared. “You are the weak scholar who only knows how to talk about war on paper!” Sun Mingde was not willing to be outdone. Seeing that the two were about to quarrel in the imperial study, Lin Xiao finally raised his hand. The imperial study suddenly became quiet. Everyone’s eyes were focused on Lin Xiao. “Ministers Song and Li have valid concerns,” Lin Xiao said slowly. “The foundation of a country lies in the people’s livelihood. I don’t want the development of the Hua Dynasty to be affected by an unnecessary war.” Song Qinghe and Li Dequan showed a hint of joy on their faces. “But,” Lin Xiao changed the subject, his eyes becoming sharp, “General Sun’s words are more in line with my wishes.” Sun Mingde’s back straightened instantly, and his face was full of “See, I still understand the Holy Emperor.” “When dealing with a jackal, reasoning is useless. The more you give in, the more it will think you’re weak and vulnerable, and it will only pounce and bite harder.” Lin Xiao stood up, walked to the huge world map, and his eyes fell on the blue Indian Ocean. “Since they think we are lambs to be slaughtered, then I must let them experience firsthand what it means to be on the wrong side of a dragon’s scales. Anyone who touches them will die.” His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty. “I will not initiate a war in their homeland, but my territory and my territorial waters will not be encroached upon by anyone. What I intend to fight is not a war of attrition, but a war of annihilation, a war… a war of authority that will strike fear into their very bones, so that they will not dare look east again for hundreds of years.” He stretched out his finger and drew a heavy circle on the map on the sea area south of China. “I will prepare a grand cemetery for them here.” Sun Mingde and others’ breathing stopped, and their eyes became extremely fanatical in an instant. “Pass on my order.” Lin Xiao turned around and glanced at everyone. “Order the Intelligence Department to use all available means to release some ‘information’ to the Western Barbarian World.” “Let’s just say that while our Chinese dynasty possesses some unique and ingenious technologies, its navy is still relatively new and small. The Dingyuan, which previously defeated the English fleet, was merely a single prototype built with the entire national treasury spent. Furthermore, the reputation of its sturdy ship and powerful artillery is often exaggerated.” “Tell them again that I, the Emperor of the Hua Dynasty, am young and impetuous, arrogant, and have been engaged in massive construction projects throughout the country, which have already caused public outrage and emptied the treasury.” “The bait is Nanzhou Port, the richest port in the south of our dynasty. Tell them it’s overflowing with silk, porcelain, and gold, but its defenses are vulnerable.” A sinister plan was slowly revealed by Lin Xiao. Chapter 523 Heavenly Punishment Song Qinghe was stunned after hearing this. He finally understood that the Holy Emperor was not simply warlike, but wanted to use strategy, tactics, and psychological warfare to the extreme! This is to achieve success in one fell swoop and completely break the backbone of the Western Yi! He no longer had any doubts in his heart and bowed in respect: “The Holy Emperor is far sighted and profound. I, your servant, bow in admiration!” “Go ahead.” Lin Xiao waved his hand. “I want that Admiral Harrington to happily walk into the trap I’ve prepared for him, bringing all his belongings with him.” “I want to let those ignorant barbarians and Western barbarians know what kind of heavenly punishment they will face if they dare to covet our Hua Dynasty’s territory!” Night, Agula’s bedroom. Even though this pearl of the grassland is pregnant, she remains as heroic as ever. She was sitting on a soft couch, holding a special small bow, shooting at a target not far away intermittently. Although he didn’t use much force, his accuracy was still amazing. Several palace maids were watching with fear, fearing that she might have a miscarriage. “A bunch of barbarians from the west dare to touch the tiger’s beard! It’s a pity that I am in this state now, otherwise I must lead three thousand cavalry to meet them!” Agula put down the bow, stroked his bulging belly, his tone full of regret. Liu Weilan walked in with a bowl of bird’s nest and couldn’t help laughing when she heard this: “You are a double breasted person now, and you still want to fight and kill. If His Majesty hears this, he will scold you again.” She handed the bird’s nest to Agula, her eyes full of tenderness. The former queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the former princess of the grassland are now as close as sisters in this harem. “I’m just worried about my husband,” Agula muttered, drinking her bird’s nest obediently. “By the way, sister, are those Western barbarians really that powerful? I heard their ships are bigger than mountains.” Liu Weilan sat nearby and whispered, “I’ve seen some records in ancient books about the overseas countries, whose people are brave and skilled at sailing. The texts aren’t very specific, though. However, I imagine they’re nothing more than chickens and dogs in the face of Your Majesty’s divine might.” In her eyes, there was almost blind trust and admiration for Lin Xiao. In the corner of the palace, Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, were kneeling, carefully arranging clothes for Agula. When they heard the words “Western barbarians” and “fleet”, the mother and daughter trembled slightly. They witnessed with their own eyes how Lin Xiao’s fleet flattened their country. That kind of destructive power was the nightmare of their lives. Now, hearing that a new powerful enemy has appeared, they only feel a little pity for those Western barbarians in their hearts. They knew better than anyone how hopeless it was to be an enemy of the Holy Emperor of the Hua Dynasty. At this moment, a messenger from the Intelligence Department hurried into the palace and asked for a meeting outside the hall. A moment later, Liu Weilan walked back into the hall with a secret report and handed it to Lin Xiao, who came to the hall to visit Agula. Lin Xiao unfolded the secret report and read ten lines at a glance. It said: The Western Yi combined fleet has left the port, and the flagship “Invincible” has raised the flag of Commander in Chief Admiral Harrington and is heading towards the South China Sea at full speed. At a pre war meeting, Admiral Harrington publicly declared: “We will use three pound shotgun shells to teach those barbarians what civilization is.” After reading it, Lin Xiao’s face remained calm and he just threw the secret report away. The fish has taken the bait. The dawn is breaking in the South China Sea. A thin layer of mist covered the sea surface, making the sea area look quiet and mysterious. However, beneath this tranquility, there lurks a terrifying force that is capable of subverting the world order. The atmosphere was solemn inside the bridge of the “Zhenbei”, the flagship of the Huachao Royal Navy. Lin Xiao, dressed in a black naval marshal’s uniform, stood in front of the huge porthole with his hands behind his back, gazing calmly at the distant horizon. Sun Mingde and a group of naval generals stood behind him with their postures straight, and even deliberately slowed down their breathing, for fear of disturbing the founder of the empire. The ticking of the telegraph operator was the only sound in the bridge, and orders were accurately transmitted through radio waves to the squadrons lurking behind various islands and reefs. A huge net has been quietly spread out. “Report to the Marshal! The watchtower has spotted a target! A large column of smoke has been spotted in the southwest, fifty nautical miles away!” “Here they come.” Lin Xiao’s voice was very soft, but it cheered up all the generals. Soon, a huge fleet broke through the morning mist and appeared on the horizon. Dozens of warships formed a black mass, with masts standing tall and chimneys spewing thick black smoke, carrying an unstoppable arrogance and murderous aura. Leading the way was an especially large ironclad ship, its bow resembling a roaring lion. On its mainmast hung the Union Jack of the United Kingdom of England and the personal flag of Archibald Harrington, the commander in chief of the combined fleet. The battleship “Invincible”. Admiral Harrington, a man in his fifties with a hooked nose and a gray beard, was holding a gold plated monocular and observing the distance. “Humph, it’s just as the intelligence said.” He put down the telescope, a sneer of contempt on his lips. “There are only a few ridiculous small boats patrolling outside the harbor. Is this the entire navy of the Eastern Empire? How disappointing.” The chief of staff beside him laughed and said, “General, maybe they used all the steel to build a palace for their emperor.” The officers around burst into laughter, and the atmosphere was so relaxed that it seemed as if they were not fighting a war but a hunt. “Pass on my orders!” Harrington raised his voice, full of vigor and ambition. “Entire fleet, advance in battle formation! Target, Nanzhou Port! I want to enjoy my dinner in the Governor’s Palace of that Eastern Emperor before dark!” “As you command, General!” The whistles of the combined fleet resounded through the sky, and the huge fleet began to change its formation and rushed straight towards the seemingly undefended coastline. They had no idea that on both sides of their route, behind those seemingly peaceful islands and reefs, huge cannons with black holes and flashing gleams of death had been quietly aimed at them. When most of the ships of the joint fleet entered the preset encirclement, Lin Xiao finally gave the order. “close the door.” The voice was still calm, but it sounded like the sentence of death. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” In an instant, dozens of Chinese and North Korean warships appeared at the same time from behind the island chain, cutting off the retreat of the combined fleet! At the same time, the main force of the fleet lying in ambush in front, with the Zhenbei and Dingyuan as the core, met them head on! A perfect encirclement network made of steel and cannons was instantly closed! “God! It’s a trap!” “We are surrounded!” Chapter 524: Powerful Attack Inside the bridge of the Invincible, Harrington’s smile froze on his face. He looked at the huge fleet that suddenly appeared outside the porthole and was so shocked that he was speechless. “What are you panicking about!” He was, after all, a battle hardened admiral. He suppressed his inner fear, drew his command knife, and roared, “The enemy may be numerous, but they are but a mob! The British Navy is invincible! All fleet, full port rudder! Meet the enemy! Show them what true naval warfare is like!” However, his arrogance was completely shattered in the next second. “Open fire.” Lin Xiao ordered again. On the towering hulls of the Zhenbei and Dingyuan, the triple mounted 305mm main gun turrets made a teeth grinding rotation sound, accurately locking onto the several Western cruisers rushing in the front. “Bang!” The twelve main guns of the two battleships fired at the same time! The moment the shell was fired, the huge recoil force caused the 10,000 ton ship to shake! Twelve high explosive bombs packed with destructive power drew twelve graceful yet deadly arcs in the air. With a whistling sound that tore through the air, they accurately crossed a distance of more than ten kilometers and smashed into the vanguard of the combined fleet. A young sailor standing on the deck of a Western cruiser had just raised his rifle when he saw several black spots appearing in the sky, each getting bigger and bigger. Before he had time to think about what it was, one of the black spots in his pupils rapidly enlarged. “Boom!!!” A shell weighing hundreds of kilograms easily tore through the thin deck of the cruiser, penetrated into the hull, and then exploded! The terrifying TNT released its ferocious energy in the closed cabin. The young sailor watched helplessly as the deck beneath his feet was blown away like a piece of paper, and an irresistible, hot air wave swallowed him up in an instant. In the last moment before he lost consciousness, he seemed to see the cruiser, which was blown in two from the middle, burning with raging flames, and slowly sinking into the cold sea. With one salvo, three cruisers disappeared from the sea in an instant! The entire combined fleet was speechless. Inside the bridge of the Invincible, all the officers were petrified. “This…this is impossible…” Harrington’s lips trembled, and the color drained from his face. “Their artillery…how can the range be so long? How can the power…be so great?” From the very beginning, the battle was a one sided massacre. The Western fleet’s proud artillery fired shells desperately at the Chinese warships. However, when those shells hit the alloy armor of the Zhenbei, they could not cause any effective damage except making a series of crisp “clang clang clang” sounds and splashing a string of sparks. And every time the Huachao fleet retaliated, it would inevitably take away one or even several Western warships. The accuracy of the new rifled gun, the extremely high rate of fire brought by smokeless gunpowder, the devastating power of TNT explosives, and the absolute defense of alloy armor… This is a complete and dimensionality reduction attack. Harrington’s pride, self confidence and dignity were stripped off layer by layer and crushed to pieces by this cruel reality. He watched helplessly as his proud fleet was torn to pieces and devoured one by one like a school of sardines chased by sharks. Despair, like cold sea water, drowned his heart. “Retreat…quickly! Pass the order! Retreat!” he roared at the top of his lungs. However, it was too late. The encirclement has already tightened. Lin Xiao looked at the “Invincible” that was still fighting stubbornly, and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. “Break its legs, don’t kill it. I want it alive.” “yes!” The main gun of Dingyuan turned again, this time, aiming at the power compartment and rudder of Invincible. After two loud bangs, the chimney of the “Invincible” was blown off at the root, and a huge splash of water exploded at the stern. The entire ship lost power in an instant and was spinning helplessly on the sea like a lame duck. The battle is over. The sea was littered with burning warship wreckage and floating corpses, and the sea water was dyed dark red. A joint fleet consisting of dozens of elite warships was wiped out in just one hour. Lin Xiao ordered a boarding team composed of Marines to board a small boat and rush towards the “Invincible” which had already raised the white flag. A moment later, Admiral Harrington, whose military uniform was already stained by gun smoke and blood, and a group of dejected Western Yi officers were escorted to the bridge of the Zhenbei. Harrington looked up and saw the overly young Oriental man standing in front of the porthole. Is he the commander of this devilish fleet? The legendary arrogant Eastern Emperor? Harrington couldn’t connect the man in front of him with an indifferent expression and eyes as deep as the sea with the stupid image in the intelligence. “This is not war… This is the devil’s witchcraft!” He roared hysterically in a hoarse voice, “You are using dishonorable and despicable tactics!” Lin Xiao slowly turned around, walked up to him, and said calmly, “Mr. Admiral, this is not witchcraft, this is power. A power… a power that neither you nor your country can understand.” Harrington was completely stunned. “I am Lin Xiao.” Lin Xiao looked down at him, his eyes lacking the boasting of a victor, only a cold indifference. “Now, I offer you and the kings and queens behind you a choice.” “Or, take your merchant ships, follow the rules of our Hua Dynasty, and conduct equal trade.” “Or, my fleet will personally go to your doorstep and teach you what reciprocity means.” “Go back and tell them that the East is no longer your hunting ground for plundering at will. Anyone who dares to do it again…” Lin Xiao’s eyes swept across the burning wreckage on the sea, and he spoke word by word: “Even if he is far away, he will be punished.” Every word of this sentence was like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of Harrington and all the captured Western Yi officers. Looking at the young emperor before them, they no longer had any thought of resistance, and were left with only a trembling from the depths of their souls. The news was sent back to the capital via telegram, and the entire Hua Dynasty was in an uproar. The Huachao Dibao used the largest headline and two full pages to publish a detailed battle report of the South China Sea victory, as well as shocking photos taken by war correspondents of the destruction of the Western Yi Combined Fleet. In the photo, the Chinese Dynasty’s giant steel warships stood as tall as mountains, while the once invincible Western warships were now engulfed in flames and billowing smoke. The people poured into the streets and spontaneously told each other the news. Countless people burned incense and kowtowed in the direction of the imperial palace, shouting “Long live the Holy Emperor.” This kind of heartfelt enthusiasm and pride can unite people better than any law. Chapter 525 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants The atmosphere in the imperial study was equally lively. “Your Majesty, be mighty!” Minister of War Sun Mingde’s face flushed crimson, spit flying. “I suggest we immediately reorganize the fleet, drag these captives and their wrecked ships behind us, and fight them all the way to their homeland! Let them also taste the pain of having someone blocking their way at their doorstep!” “No!” Cabinet Chief Minister Song Qinghe immediately stood up to refute. He was much calmer than Sun Mingde. “Minister Sun, although our dynasty has won a great victory, our national strength is still in its infancy and much remains to be done. A long expedition thousands of miles away would be costly and exhausting, and is unwise for a wise ruler. In my opinion, the most urgent task is to use this great victory to re establish trade treaties with the Western Yi kingdoms and transform the fruits of victory into tangible wealth and improvements to people’s livelihoods.” Li Dequan also nodded in agreement: “Your Excellency, the Prime Minister is absolutely right. War is fought in order to avoid war. Now that our dynasty has established its authority, it is time to use diplomatic means to gain the greatest benefits.” Sun Mingde wanted to argue, but Lin Xiao waved his hand. “Stop arguing.” He walked to the huge world map and looked at the distant continent representing the Western Yi countries with deep eyes. “Sun Mingde’s idea is refreshing, but not right now. Song Qinghe’s view is sound, but overly conservative.” Lin Xiao tapped his finger on the map. “When the jackals are hurt, they will retreat temporarily, but they won’t become sheep. They will lick their wounds and use more cunning methods to test our bottom line.” Song Qinghe and Sun Mingde were both stunned, savoring Lin Xiao’s words carefully. “Pass on my order.” Lin Xiao’s voice turned cold. “Place all captives from the Western Yi in batches in various mines for labor reform. Let them see with their own eyes how the people of the Hua Dynasty live and how the Hua Dynasty’s industry operates. At the same time, the Intelligence Department will cross examine all the captives. I want to know everything about the Western Yi countries: their politics, economy, military, culture, and even how many mistresses each king has.” “In addition, a ‘Western Learning Compilation Institute’ will be established, led by the Institute of Gewu, to organize personnel to classify and translate all the knowledge obtained from prisoners and confiscated books into volumes.” “I will turn their arrogance into our nourishment.” On the other hand, Admiral Harrington was imprisoned alone in the cabin of a transport ship. The treatment was acceptable, with clean food and water, but the mental torture was far greater than the physical torture. He looked through the small porthole at the “Zhenbei” that was escorting him like a mountain range, and there was only endless coldness and fear in his heart. The power to manipulate huge fleets at will and crush them at will has exceeded his entire understanding of naval battles and even wars. The fleet arrived at Nanzhou Port. When Harrington was taken off the ship and set foot on this eastern land, the wild, backward and dirty scene he had expected did not appear. Instead, he was faced with a scene that almost made his eyes pop out. The wide and flat cement roads extend in all directions, with neatly planted trees on the roadside. There is no filth on the streets. Instead, there are cleaners in uniform cleaning them regularly. Countless people rode two wheeled iron horses at a rapid speed, with confident smiles on their faces, without any of the numbness and timidity of the legendary Orientals. In the distance, tall chimneys are emitting billowing white smoke, which is the symbol of the industrial area. At the port, huge steam cranes are easily lifting several tons of cargo, with an efficiency more than a hundred times higher than the most advanced human pulley system in the Port of London. What made him even more incomprehensible was that there were glass covered “lamps” standing on both sides of the street. When night fell, they would emit bright light and illuminate the entire city as bright as day. “This… is this Nanzhou?” An escorted Western Yi captain muttered to himself. He had been to Nanzhou during the Great Zhou period on a merchant ship. In his memory, it was a crowded, smelly and chaotic port. The city before us was so neatly planned and had so advanced facilities that it even…even surpassed London! Harrington’s inner defenses completely collapsed after seeing this prosperous, orderly and powerful city. He finally understood that what they were facing was not a backward empire that had luckily obtained some new weapons, but a giant that had left them far behind in terms of civilization. Lin Xiao’s order was quickly issued. Some of the strong captives were sent directly to mines and newly opened farms in the north. Here, they will pay for their crimes of attempted invasion through labor, and at the same time experience firsthand the Hua Dynasty’s “work for relief” system. Another group of officers, engineers and scholars who were knowledgeable and skilled in technology were sent to the capital and placed in a newly established institution the Western Learning Compilation Institute. In the imperial study, Song Qinghe and Li Dequan looked at the plan for dealing with the prisoners with worried expressions. “Your Majesty, if we disperse these Western barbarians to the various mines, will this cause unrest? After all, they are fierce and untamable.” Song Qinghe bowed and said that he was considering the costs and risks of management. Li Dequan also echoed, “Yes, Your Majesty, and we also have to provide them with food. In the long run, this will also be a considerable expense to the national treasury. In my opinion, it is better to…” Lin Xiao waved his hand, interrupted them, and walked to the huge world map. “My dear ministers, please take a long term view.” He pointed to the vast territory of China on the map. “Our population is growing rapidly, and our industry is expanding. We need more resources and more labor. These captives are a ready made labor force. Instead of killing them, we should let them contribute to the construction of the Hua Dynasty with their sweat.” He paused, a playful smile playing on his lips: “More importantly, I want them to see it with their own eyes and experience it for themselves.” “Let them see how the people of the Hua Dynasty live, how our factories operate, and how our children learn to read and write.” “This kind of shock will destroy their will and arrogance more than killing them ten thousand times on the battlefield.” Song Qinghe and Li Dequan looked at each other and saw shock in each other’s eyes. Your Majesty is actually using the entire Hua Dynasty as a weapon to wage a “heart and mind” war against these Western barbarians! Sun Mingde’s blood boiled as he listened. He didn’t understand the meaning of attacking the heart or not, but he understood another meaning: “Your Majesty is wise! You should let these bastards go mining! Let them know that if they want to steal our things, they will pay with their lives!” Lin Xiao smiled and looked at Song Qinghe again: “As for the Western Learning Compilation Institute, it is of utmost importance. These Westerners can come across the ocean, so they must have something worth learning.” “I want their navigational technology, astronomy, geography, mathematics, physics, even their political systems and history and culture. Squeezing their knowledge to its limit and turning it into nourishment for us is the greatest value of this victory.” “Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.” Lin Xiao’s voice echoed in the imperial study. “I want the next generation of the Hua Dynasty to stand on the shoulders of giants and see further.” Song Qinghe, Li Dequan, Sun Mingde and others all bowed, without any doubt in their hearts. They were left with only sincere awe and enthusiasm for the far reaching plans of the emperor in front of them. “Your Majesty is wise!” Chapter 526 Display Capital, Royal Bicycle Factory. Wang Gousheng is now the line leader of a production line in the main factory, managing more than a hundred people. His wife also got a job in the textile factory next door, and the couple’s monthly salary was more than they had earned in a year farming in the village. At this moment, he was bragging to a group of new workers with saliva flying all over his body. “… Let me tell you, Your Majesty, you’re like a god from heaven descending to earth! Did you hear about the battle in the South China Sea? It was all in the official gazette! The steel we made in our factory, and the shells we fired, pounded that Western Yi combined fleet like dumplings, sinking them all!” A young worker asked with admiration, “Brother Gousheng, do those Westerners really have red hair and green eyes, like monsters?” Wang Gousheng slapped his thigh and said, “That’s right! I heard that the prisoners were brought to the capital. They were all tall and strong, with ferocious looks. But when they came before our Majesty, they were like quails, not daring to fart!” Everyone burst into laughter, and the workshop was filled with a happy atmosphere. This heartfelt sense of pride and national identity is taking root in every corner of China. The harem, Agula’s bedroom. Lin Xiao was taking a walk with the pregnant Agula. The fierce horse on the grassland now had a gentle maternal glow in her eyes. She gently stroked her bulging belly and snuggled up to Lin Xiao. “Your Majesty, I heard you took all those Western Yi captives to mine?” Agula’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “That’s how they should be treated! When dealing with jackals, you can’t be soft hearted.” Lin Xiao smiled and scratched her nose: “You, you are almost a mother, but you still have a murderous aura. Don’t worry, I know what to do.” He helped Agula sit down on the stone bench in the pavilion and said softly, “Killing is the simplest way, but not the best. Letting them live, using their eyes to see, and using their hands to work, is more useful than killing them.” Agula nodded, not quite understanding. Although she did not understand the far reaching plan, as long as it was Lin Xiao’s decision, she would unconditionally believe in it. She leaned on Lin Xiao’s shoulder, feeling the movement of the new life in her belly, her face filled with unprecedented happiness and satisfaction. At this moment, a eunuch hurried over and respectfully reported, “Your Majesty, the Western Learning Compilation Institute is fully prepared, and the Western scholars have been accommodated. Prime Minister Song, please allow me to go there now?” A gleam of light flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes, and he nodded: “Well, I’ll be there right away.” He comforted Agula with a few words, then turned and walked out of the palace. The gentle smile gradually faded, replaced by a calmness that seemed to be in control of everything. The Western Learning Compilation and Translation Institute was established in an independent courtyard next to the Gewu Academy. The security here is very tight, but the internal facilities are quite complete, and can even be said to be preferential. Dozens of officers, engineers, doctors and military scholars with various knowledge selected from the Western Yi fleet were concentrated here. Admiral Harrington was held in solitary confinement, and these people were “living dictionaries” in Lin Xiao’s eyes. The atmosphere in the central hall of the Compilation Bureau was depressing and strange. A middle aged scholar named Arthur Wellesley was giving a speech to his companions around him with an arrogant look on his face. He was a member of the Royal Society of England, made great achievements in astronomy and mathematics, and was deeply rooted in a sense of superiority over his own civilization. “Gentlemen, we don’t need to panic.” Arthur pushed the monocle on his nose and said in his London accent. “We admit that this Eastern Empire possesses some incomprehensible weaponry technology that we don’t yet understand. But this doesn’t mean their civilization is that advanced.” He pointed out the window at the uniformed Chinese soldiers, a hint of contempt on his lips: “Look at them, look at this country. They still have the emperor as the supreme ruler, no parliament, no soil for free thought.” Their writing is twisted like a worm, and their social structure is still in its primitive feudal form. We have only suffered an unexpected setback militarily, but in terms of civilization, we are still far ahead of them!” His words resonated with many people, who nodded one after another, trying to use this sense of spiritual superiority to offset the humiliation of being prisoners. Just then, the door to the hall was pushed open. Lin Xiao walked in slowly, surrounded by a group of officials. The voices of all the Western scholars stopped abruptly. They looked at this excessively young Eastern emperor with complicated eyes, which contained fear, curiosity, but more of scrutiny and dissatisfaction. Arthur Wellesley mustered up his courage, stepped forward, and said in stiff Chinese official language: “Your Majesty, we are scholars, not soldiers. According to the norms of the civilized world, you should give us the respect and treatment we deserve.” Lin Xiao’s gaze fell on him. Instead of getting angry, he smiled and said, “Mr. Arthur Wellesley, a member of the Royal Society, is proficient in astronomy and geometry. Am I right?” Arthur’s pupils shrank suddenly. How could he know so much? Lin Xiao ignored his shock. He looked around and spoke in a Western Yi language so fluent that it was unbelievable to them, “I know what you are thinking. You think that the Hua Dynasty is just a barbaric nation with powerful weapons, and that you are the representatives of civilization.” There was a dead silence in the hall, and everyone was stunned by Lin Xiao’s fluent language. “Respect is earned through strength, not demanded with words.” Lin Xiao walked to a huge blackboard that had been prepared in the center of the hall and picked up a piece of chalk. “Today, I will give you a chance to earn your respect. I will also let you see what level of knowledge you are so proud of is in my eyes.” He turned around and began writing on the blackboard. Instead of writing formulas that the Westerners could understand, he drew a huge table. H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne… Lin Xiao wrote symbols they had never seen before clearly on the blackboard with chalk, and arranged them into rows and columns according to some strange pattern. “What is this?” A scholar who looked like a chemist frowned. He recognized a few of the symbols, which seemed to be the abbreviations of certain elements used by alchemists, but most of them were unheard of by him. Lin Xiao did not answer. He continued writing, explaining in a calm tone as he wrote. “Everything in the world is made up of elements. I have arranged them here according to their atomic number.” “Based on this table, you can even predict elements that have not yet been discovered and their chemical properties. For example, at this position,” Lin Xiao drew a circle under “Silicon” with chalk. “There should be an element with properties similar to silicon. I call it ‘silicon like’. Its atomic weight is about 72 and its density is about 5.5…” Chapter 527 The Way of Precision With every word Lin Xiao spoke, the faces of the Western scholars in the hall turned paler. From initial confusion, to shock, to disbelief, and finally, to outright fear. It was an incomprehensible tremor that came from the depths of the soul! Arthur Wellesley stared at the neat, harmonious and rhythmic “Periodic Table” on the blackboard, his mind was blank. This…what is this? Summarize all the secrets of the God of Creation in one table? This is no longer knowledge, this is oracle! It is a perspective that only God can have! The astronomy and mathematics knowledge that he was proud of seemed as small as a child’s graffiti in front of this table. With a “plop” sound. Arthur Wellesley’s legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground. The arrogance and superiority on his face were shattered, leaving only dejected mumbling. “Devil… No… This is God… This is the God of Wisdom from the East…” His collapse was like the first domino to fall. In the hall, all the Western scholars, without exception, looked ashen. They looked at the young emperor holding a piece of chalk with an indifferent expression, as if they were looking up at an insurmountable mountain. At this moment, they finally understood. What kind of terrifying existence are they facing? The atmosphere in the Western Learning Compilation Bureau changed dramatically in the next few days. Arthur Wellesley and his companions no longer had the arrogance and resistance they had before. They were like the most devout apprentices, gathering around the carefully preserved blackboard with the periodic table written on it every day, repeatedly studying, copying, and discussing it, sometimes arguing fiercely, sometimes sighing, and sometimes bursting into exclamations of sudden enlightenment. Their worldview was completely reshaped. Before, they were forced to work for Hua Chao, but now they are actively and even fanatically involved in the compilation work. They were eager to organize the knowledge in their minds, compare it with the “divine wisdom” displayed by this Eastern emperor, and try to find a way to catch up. They contributed the books, nautical charts, and technical manuals they brought with them without reservation, just to get the opportunity to attend the lectures of the Gewu Academy lecturers, or even to ask Lin Xiao one or two questions. This kind of complete conquest on the spiritual level is more effective than any whipping or torture. When the news reached Lin Xiao’s ears, he just smiled indifferently, everything was under control. After dealing with state affairs, Lin Xiao returned to the harem. Agula’s belly was already very obvious. She was holding her belly and, with the support of Tuya, was enthusiastically choosing clothes for her future child. In another room, Liu Weilan quietly made tea for Lin Xiao. Her temperament became more and more calm, and in those eyes that had witnessed the rise and fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty, now only Lin Xiao’s figure was reflected. Lin Xiao felt warmed by the look on his face and took Liu Weisang into his arms. Liu Weilan’s body trembled slightly. She leaned her head gently on Lin Xiao’s chest, feeling the strong heartbeat, her eyes becoming more obsessed. This man not only conquered the world, but also conquered the hearts of the sisters. “Your Majesty…” She took the initiative to undress Lin Xiao, her eyes moving around and full of charm. On the phoenix bed, the dragon and the phoenix are upside down, and the spring scenery is boundless. Amidst the extreme pleasure of conquering the queen of the previous dynasty, the familiar system prompt sound rang again in Lin Xiao’s mind. [Ding! Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by +5! Current favorability is 130.] [Ding! Favorability is full. Do you want to participate in the lucky draw?] “Lottery.” Lin Xiao muttered to himself. This time, the system’s wheel spun faster than ever before, and the light was no longer simply colorful, but seemed to blend the pulse of industry and the roar of machinery. Finally, the light condensed and turned into several large characters. “Precision Machine Tools and Complete Set of Standardized Production Technologies”! Lin Xiao’s breathing suddenly stopped for a second. Immediately afterwards, an ecstasy stronger than any previous one swept through his body like a flood that broke through a dam! Here we come! This is the cornerstone that truly enables the empire to move from “powerful” to “invincible”! It is the soul of the Industrial Revolution! The next second, those words suddenly disintegrated and turned into an endless torrent of knowledge, pouring into his brain. From the design principles of the most basic horizontal lathes, vertical milling machines, drilling machines, boring machines, and grinders, to the structural diagrams of five axis CNC machine tools capable of processing complex surfaces. From the manufacture and use of vernier calipers and micrometers to ultra precision measurement of laser interferometers. From the concept of “parts interchangeability” to the management model of “assembly line operation”. From national standards for tolerances and fit to Taylor’s scientific management… Everything turned into the clearest memory, imprinted deep in his soul. “Hmm…” Lin Xiao leaned back on the dragon chair, closed his eyes, and felt so comfortable that he almost moaned. He seemed to see countless roaring machine tools cutting hard alloy steel with micron level precision. He saw that new rifles with exactly the same structure were quickly assembled on the assembly line, with parts that could be interchanged at will, and the difficulty of maintenance and logistics was reduced exponentially. He saw that steam engines were becoming more powerful and reliable, with their efficiency and lifespan increasing significantly thanks to precision machined pistons and cylinders. He saw that a huge, sophisticated and efficient industrial empire was being put together with the last and most important piece of the puzzle in his hands. Lin Xiao opened his eyes, and the light in his eyes was so sharp that it seemed to pierce through the darkness. He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the brightly lit capital, and a confident smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. The industrial revolution of the Western Yi lasted for hundreds of years. And he will allow Huachao to complete this journey within a few years, and even surpass them! The next day, at the Minister of Works’ Mansion. A minor official came running in, tumbling and crawling. “Sir, the Minister! His Majesty… His Majesty has summoned you urgently! You are to go to the Institute of Gewu immediately!” Zhang Fuan was startled and stood up suddenly. He knew that every time His Majesty summoned him so anxiously, it meant that something earth shattering and good was about to come out! He didn’t even have time to tidy up his official uniform, he just grabbed his hat and rushed out. Inside the largest drawing room in Gewuyuan. Lin Xiao had been waiting there for a long time. On the blackboard in front of him were some diagrams that Zhang Fuan couldn’t understand at all. “Your Majesty, I, Zhang Fuan, kowtow to you!” Zhang Fuan saluted breathlessly. Lin Xiao waved his hand, signaling Zhang Fuan to stand up. His eyes were still fixed on the blackboard, where was drawn a breakdown diagram of a horizontal lathe. Each component was marked with symbols and numbers that Zhang Fuan had never seen before. Chapter 528: The Gospel of Industry “Fuan, come and take a look.” Lin Xiao pointed at the blueprint. Zhang Fuan came forward, opened his eyes wide and stared hard. He considered himself the best craftsman in the Hua Dynasty. He was good at carpentry, ironwork, even steam engines and warships. But the more he looked at the thing in front of him, the more frightened he became, and the more confused he became. The main body of the thing is like an iron bed, with various slides, cranks, gears, and a chuck that can rotate to clamp the workpiece. The complexity of the structure far exceeded any machine he had seen before. “Your Majesty, what…what is this? It looks like a lump of iron, but the parts on it are so…so detailed.” Zhang Fuan scratched his head, looking confused. He felt that his carpentry and blacksmithing skills, which he was proud of, seemed like child’s play in front of this picture. “This thing is called a ‘lathe.'” Lin Xiao’s voice was tinged with a smile. “Fuan, let me ask you, how can you forge an iron rod that is absolutely straight and of completely uniform thickness?” Zhang Fuan was stunned and answered without thinking, “Of course it depends on the craftsmanship of the master craftsman! He hammers it repeatedly, then polishes it carefully with a file. It all depends on the feeling of his hands and the estimation of his eyes. A master craftsman with good craftsmanship can make things that look as if they were measured with a ruler!” This is the pride of all craftsmen and the foundation of their livelihood. “Well said.” Lin Xiao nodded, then changed the subject, “But what if my craftsmanship is a little worse? Or, I want you to make a thousand identical iron rods in one day, with the error not exceeding the thickness of a hair. What do you think?” “One thousand? The error is no more than a hair?” Zhang Fuan’s eyes almost popped out and he waved his hands repeatedly. “Your Majesty, this is impossible! This is absolutely impossible! Even a deity couldn’t do this! Every master has a different technique, so how can their creations be exactly the same? This… this goes against the principles passed down by our ancestors!” “So, what we have to do today is to create a new truth.” Lin Xiao picked up the chalk and tapped it hard on the blackboard. “This principle is called ‘standardization’, also known as ‘parts interchangeability’.” He turned around, looked at Zhang Fuan, who had a confused look on his face, and the core members of the Institute of Gewu who had rushed over after hearing the news, and explained in the most understandable language . “Imagine the muskets produced by our arsenal. What would a soldier under General Sun Mingde do if a part of his gun broke on the battlefield?” Zhang Fuan thought for a moment and replied, “The only way is to send it back to the rear and have a skilled ordnance craftsman repair it. If the damage is too severe, the gun will be useless.” “That’s right. Because each gun is unique, its parts are only suitable for it.” Lin Xiao’s voice rose a few notches. “But what if every gun we produce, from the bolt to the trigger to every screw, has exactly the same size, specifications, and tolerances?” “If a soldier’s gun breaks, he doesn’t need to find a repairman. He can just take the corresponding new part from a standard parts box and replace it himself. A gun can be repaired in a few breaths and he can be back in battle. What does this mean?” “boom!” It was as if thunder exploded in Zhang Fuan’s head. He stood there blankly, his mouth slightly open, looking completely dumbfounded. He saw that on the battlefield, the pressure of logistics would be relieved unprecedentedly. He saw that the production efficiency of weapons would increase a hundredfold, a thousandfold! This is no longer a technological innovation; it’s a revolution in thought! A terrifying concept that has overturned the entire artisan system! “Your Majesty…you mean…” Zhang Fuan’s voice trembled as he pointed at the lathe diagram on the blackboard. “This thing is used to achieve…achieve the ‘standardization’ you mentioned?” “Indeed.” Lin Xiao smiled. “It, along with a series of milling machines, grinders, and drilling machines that go with it, are collectively referred to as ‘machine tools’.” “They are machines used to make machines. With them, we can process any part we want with micron level precision. Only then can we make ‘standardization’ a reality.” Micron level? Zhang Fuan heard a new word again. Although he didn’t understand it, he could feel that it represented a kind of precision that he could not imagine. He was so excited that his face turned red and his blood was boiling. He seemed to see a door to a new world, and His Majesty was the god holding the key! However, after the ecstasy, a huge problem came to mind. He looked at the drawing carefully, and the red glow on his face quickly faded and turned pale. “Your Majesty…I, I have a question.” There was a hint of despair in Zhang Fuan’s voice. “This thing in the diagram… this thing called a ‘guide rail’ needs to be absolutely straight. And these gears need to mesh perfectly. But… but if we want to build this lathe, we first need the tools to produce these precision parts… and we don’t have them right now! This… isn’t this a chicken and egg situation? We… we can’t build it!” This is the classic “bootstrapping problem” of the early days of industrialization. Looking at Zhang Fuan’s frustrated face, Lin Xiao smiled. “Who says we don’t have one?” He picked up a new blueprint that showed a relatively simple slide and a long scraper. “We must take one step at a time. Before precision machine tools were invented, our ancestors used a more primitive method that required more wisdom and patience to obtain the first ‘reference plane.'” Lin Xiao began to explain the “three plane mutual grinding method” and “manual scraping” techniques. He told Zhang Fuan how to cast three roughly flat iron plates, then use the painted plate A to grind plate B, scrape off the high spots, then use plate B to grind plate C, and then use plate C to grind plate A. Repeating this cycle, the three iron plates will eventually approach an absolute plane. “Use the most stupid method to achieve the most sophisticated miracle.” Zhang Fuan was fascinated by what he heard. He never thought that precision could be “ground” out in this way! The simple philosophy and genius conception contained in it once again made his admiration for Lin Xiao reach an unprecedented height. “Your Majesty…you…you are really…” Zhang Fuan was so excited that he couldn’t speak. In the end, he could only kneel down heavily and kowtow to the ground. “Your Majesty, I understand! I’ll do it right away! Even if I have to gnaw on it with my teeth and grind it with my fingernails, I will definitely build this first ‘mother machine’ for you!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction, and personally took Zhang Fuan and dozens of the top craftsmen from the Academy of Gewu into the secret workshop of the Royal Steel Plant. In the following days, the entire workshop entered a state of near madness. Chapter 529 Standardization Lin Xiao personally taught them how to cast, how to anneal to eliminate stress, how to make scrapers, and how to scrape and grind. Zhang Fuan seemed to be twenty years younger. He was like a sponge, madly absorbing the knowledge that Lin Xiao instilled in him. He gave up all the touch and experience that he used to be proud of, and for the first time began to believe in cold data and standards. He even had someone make a simple vernier caliper. He held it in his arms every day and wanted to measure everything he looked at, which made everyone laugh and wonder if he was crazy. Finally, a month later, after countless sweat and failures, the first horizontal lathe in the history of Hua Dynasty, which had a simple structure but epoch making significance, was assembled in the workshop. It looks a bit ugly and is full of traces of manual polishing, but the straight guide rails, the smooth bed, and the precisely movable tool holder all exude the dawn of industrial civilization. Zhang Fuan stroked the cold steel fuselage with trembling hands, and tears could no longer be held back and burst out. He knew that from this moment on, China’s industry would embark on a completely different path. “Close the switch!” With Lin Xiao’s order, the steam engine connected to the lathe started to run, and through the belt drive, the main shaft of the lathe slowly rotated. One of the best craftsmen, following Lin Xiao’s instructions, carefully clamped a rough iron rod on the chuck. Zhang Fuan and all the craftsmen watching held their breath and stared at the rotating iron rod without blinking. “Knife in!” The craftsman swallowed nervously and slowly turned the handle on the knife holder. “Sizzle——” The hard blade touches the high speed rotating iron rod, making a crisp and pleasant cutting sound. Circles of silvery iron filings, like curled ribbons, kept flying out. Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, the originally rough and uneven surface of the iron rod was scraped by the turning tool, leaving a mirror smooth track. Just a few minutes later, a straight, smooth, metallic gleaming round shaft appeared before everyone. Zhang Fuan rushed forward without caring about the heat. He touched it with his hand, and the smooth touch made his whole body tremble. He took out the vernier caliper he had just learned to use and took measurements with trembling hands. “Diameter… 30 millimeters… Here, it’s also 30 millimeters… Oh my God! From beginning to end, it’s all 30 millimeters!” He exclaimed in disbelief, his voice changing in pitch. The surrounding craftsmen were instantly excited and rushed forward, vying to touch the perfect round shaft, exclaiming “Oh my God”, “How is this possible”, and “What a miracle”. The “regularity” they have been pursuing all their lives, which seemed impossible to them, is so easy in front of this “mother machine”. “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan turned around suddenly and knelt on the ground again. This time, his voice was filled with tears. “This item is a national treasure! It’s a boon to industry! With it, why should our Chinese dynasty worry about its prosperity?!” Lin Xiao helped him up with a smile on his face: “This is just the beginning. One mother machine can produce ten. Ten can produce a hundred, a thousand. What I want is a huge industrial system.” He did not stop, struck while the iron was hot, and immediately issued another decree. “I hereby order the immediate establishment of the ‘Hua Dynasty General Bureau of Weights and Measures and Standards’, based on the Ministry of Works and the Academy of Gewu! Redefine the length, weight, and capacity standards of our Hua Dynasty! How much should a meter be? How much should a jin be? These must all have clear, unique, and reproducible definitions!” Lin Xiao took out the design drawings of the platinum iridium alloy meter prototype and kilogram prototype that he had prepared long ago. “In addition, the first edition of the ‘National Tolerance and Fit Standard’ must be developed. All parts produced in the Royal Factory must strictly adhere to this set of standards. From today on, the craftsman’s ‘craftsmanship’ is no longer the only criterion for judging; whether the ‘tolerance’ on the drawing can be achieved is the key!” As soon as this decree was issued, the whole government was shocked again. Although civil servants such as Song Qinghe and Li Dequan did not understand the specific technology, they could smell an unprecedented sense of order and power from the word “standardization”. However, this caused quite a stir among the artisan class. New technology brings efficiency, but the new “standards” challenge the traditions and dignity on which they depend for survival. In the weapons workshop in the capital, there was an old craftsman named Qian Bo, who was a famous marksman and master of ordnance in the previous dynasty. He was skilled in making muskets to perfection. He looked at the blueprints of the new musket sent by the Ministry of Industry, and the dense tolerance markings on it made him frown. “What do you mean by plus or minus 0.01 millimeter? That’s nonsense!” Qian Bo slammed the drawings on the table and complained to Zhang Fuan who came to promote the new standards. “Master Zhang, we’ve spent our entire lives making guns. What do we rely on? It’s the feel of our hands! It’s experience! Whether the barrel and bolt fit together a little loose or a little tight depends entirely on the scale in our hearts. If we’re stuck with these cold, hard numbers, what kind of craftsmanship is that? Wouldn’t that make it a job even a fool could do?” His words represent the voice of many veteran craftsmen. They were in awe of the new technology brought by the emperor, but could not accept that their own crafts were replaced by the standard. Zhang Fuan was so anxious that he was sweating profusely. He talked so much that his lips were almost worn out, but he still couldn’t convince this stubborn old man. This matter soon reached Lin Xiao’s ears. Lin Xiao didn’t get angry, but smiled instead. He knew that any change would encounter resistance, especially ideological. It is better to open up than to block. The best way is to let them witness it with their own eyes and be convinced. A few days later, Lin Xiao ordered a special “Arms Competition” to be held at the Royal Parade Ground. He asked Qian Bo to lead nine of the capital’s top veteran armorers, using their most traditional and exquisite craftsmanship to each create a musket with the same structure. At the same time, Lin Xiao asked Zhang Fuan to use new machine tools and standardized processes in the arsenal to allow a group of apprentices who had just been trained for three months to produce ten muskets. Twenty muskets were lined up in a row on the parade ground. From the appearance, the hand made muskets made by Chamberlain and his team, with their carvings and engravings, look more like works of art. The muskets produced on the assembly line appear simple and unpretentious, but they exude a cold murderous aura. “Master Qian,” Lin Xiao pointed at the guns, “I know your craftsmanship is unparalleled in the world. But today, we are not competing for that.” He ordered the soldiers to dismantle all twenty guns into parts and pile them on two large tables. “Now, please, masters and apprentices over there, reassemble these parts into a gun.” Chapter 530 Industrial Assembly Line Qian Bo and the old craftsmen walked forward confidently. But soon they discovered the problem. Master Zhang’s bolt cannot be inserted into Master Li’s barrel. Master Wang’s trigger was stuck tightly on Master Zhao’s buttstock. The parts made by each of them are slightly different and can only be “originally matched” and are not interchangeable at all. For a moment, he was in a panic in front of the table, with the sound of clanging and anxious sweat, but he couldn’t even put together a gun. On the other side, the apprentices were not in a hurry. They randomly picked up bolts, barrels, triggers from the pile of spare parts… Just like stacking blocks, the muskets were easily assembled in no time. Lin Xiao even asked the two sisters Yan Susu and Yan Jing, who had never touched a gun before, to come forward and try. With simple guidance, they successfully assembled a working musket. Comparing before and after, the difference is obvious. Qian Bo stared blankly at the scene before him, and the parts in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. His face, which was full of pride, turned pale in an instant. He finally understood. The “craftsmanship” he was proud of was so fragile and inefficient in the face of the grand machine of war. The “standardization” promoted by Your Majesty is the supreme way to arm the entire empire to the teeth! “I, your humble servant, am convinced!” Qian Bo walked up to Lin Xiao, knelt on his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Your Majesty’s foresight is far beyond the reach of mere mortals like us. From now on, I, your humble servant, will serve you as your model, devoting myself to your service until my death!” This competition completely cleared the last obstacle to standardization. Even an old stubborn person like Qian Bo was convinced, and others didn’t dare to say anything. Since then, a wave of industrialization has swept through every workshop in Huachao with unstoppable momentum. That night, Lin Xiao returned to the harem, feeling quite relaxed. He walked into Liu Weilan’s bedroom, only to see the former queen sitting under the lamp, holding not poetry or songs in her hand, but a differential gear diagram he had drawn during the day. She read it very seriously, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she was trying to understand the mystery. “What are you looking at?” Lin Xiao gently hugged her from behind. Liu Weilan shuddered, then came to her senses, a blush spreading across her face. “Your Majesty… I’m simply curious as to why these strange lines, in Your Majesty’s hands, can always transform into a force that shakes the world. I… want to learn more about Your Majesty’s world.” Looking at the pure admiration and inquiry in her eyes, Lin Xiao felt warm in his heart. He took her hand, sat on the couch, and patiently explained to her the principles of mechanics, the cold gears and levers… Liu Weilan was fascinated by what she heard. She had never thought that in this world, apart from romance, there was also such a rigorous and harmonious “Tao”. She looked at Lin Xiao’s profile, which was shining in the candlelight, and her eyes became more and more obsessed. What this man gave her was not only physical conquest and support in life, but also a kind of guidance and shock at the soul level. Time flies, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. The Royal First Arsenal in the suburbs of Beijing has completely changed its appearance. The originally scattered workshops were replaced by rows of brand new, tall brick factories. Inside the factory, there is no longer the clanging sound of hammering, but a continuous, steady and rhythmic roar. Dozens of steam powered machine tools—lathes, milling machines, boring machines—are neatly arranged, with countless belts crisscrossing under the ceiling, driving the machine tools’ spindles to rotate rapidly. Workers wearing uniform blue work clothes operate these machines skillfully, processing pieces of steel into precise parts amid the harsh cutting sounds. This is the heart of Huachao Industry. And this roar is the strongest heartbeat of the empire. On this day, Wang Jian came to inspect the production line of new weapons. He walked in the spacious and bright workshop, looking at the grand and orderly scene in front of him, and his heart was shocked beyond words. He saw standard gun barrels being processed on the boring machine. Complex bolts are formed by milling machines. These parts are sent to the next process and finally gathered in the final assembly workshop. In the final assembly workshop, on a long assembly line, workers each perform their duties. Some are responsible for installing the barrel, some are responsible for assembling the bolt, and some are responsible for installing the stock… A rifle with precise structure was assembled in their hands as smoothly as flowing water. “This… is this the ‘assembly line’ that Your Majesty mentioned?” Wang Jian muttered to himself, feeling his throat a little dry. Zhang Fuan, now the chief engineer of the entire imperial industrial system, stood by with a beaming face, proudly introducing, “General Wang, are you stunned? Our production line can now produce 500 ‘Hua Yi’ rifles a day! And every one of them is identical, with stable and reliable performance!” At this moment, at the end of the production line, Lin Xiao and Minister of War Sun Mingde were standing there. Lin Xiao picked up a “Hua Yi” rifle that had just come off the production line, pulled the bolt, and the crisp sound of the mechanism echoed throughout the workshop. This is a revolving bolt rifle that uses metal fixed bullets driven by smokeless gunpowder. It has an effective range of over 800 meters and a firing rate more than ten times that of old muskets. “Great! Great gun!” Sun Mingde, a rugged man, caressed the cold gun barrel lovingly as if it were his lover. “With this treasure, every infantryman of our Hua Dynasty can be worth ten!” “This is not the most amazing thing.” Lin Xiao smiled and pointed to another tightly protected production line next to him. There, an “iron lump” with a hideous appearance and a more complex structure had just been assembled. It has a heavy tripod, a thick barrel wrapped in a water filled cooling sleeve, and a long canvas ammunition belt connected to the back of the barrel. “I have named this the ‘Hua Yi Heavy Machine Gun’.” Sun Mingde’s eyes lit up instantly. He could feel the terrifying murderous aura emanating from this thing. A few days later, at the Xishan Shooting Range outside Beijing. All the senior civil and military officials of the Hua Dynasty, as well as General Harrington of the Western Yi who were specially authorized to come and observe, gathered here. A weapons display that will determine the shape of future warfare is about to begin. The first rifle to be tested was the Huayi rifle. One hundred Imperial Guards soldiers lined up in three rows and, at the officer’s command, performed the movements of raising their rifles, aiming, and firing in unison. “Bang, bang, bang…” The dense gunfire merged into one, and the target in the distance was hit and sawdust flew everywhere. Immediately afterwards, the soldiers quickly pulled the bolt, ejected the shell, reloaded the chamber, and fired again. The whole process was extremely smooth, the firepower continued, and formed an impenetrable barrage of bullets. Just the volley of rifle fire was enough to make the faces of the old ministers and Western captives present turn pale. Harrington’s fists clenched unconsciously. The firing rate and accuracy of this rifle have surpassed their country’s most advanced experimental models. Chapter 531 King of the Land However, this is just the appetizer. “Bring up our ‘big guy’.” Lin Xiao ordered calmly. Two soldiers carried the heavy machine gun to the center of the position, set it up skillfully, and loaded the ammunition belt. “Target, 500 meters away, group charge target!” As the command flag was waved, the machine gunner pulled the trigger. “Da da da da da—!” A terrifying sound, unprecedented and like the roar of death, exploded! A long tongue of fire spewed out of the muzzle, and countless bullet casings ejected from the side like rain. A visible whip of fire made up of bullets lashed fiercely towards the target group in the distance. Those wooden human shaped targets that simulated a group charge were torn into pieces the moment they came into contact with the rain of bullets! Wood chips and dirt flew everywhere, as if an invisible giant sickle was madly harvesting lives. In just a dozen seconds, a square formation consisting of hundreds of human targets was completely wiped out, with no one spared. The entire shooting range was dead silent. Everyone was stunned by the hellish scene. “Gudong.” Sun Mingde swallowed hard, his whole body was shaking, not because of fear, but because of extreme excitement! His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the smoking muzzle of the gun, muttering, “This… this is the God of War… This is the fucking God of War!” He suddenly turned around and looked at Lin Xiao. The admiration and fanaticism in his eyes could no longer be described in words. On the other side, General Harrington of the Western Yi collapsed to the ground with a thud. His face was paler than death, and his eyes were filled with utter despair. Battleships, the periodic table, precision machine tools… He thought he had seen all the cards of this Eastern emperor. It was not until this moment that he realized that what he saw was always just the tip of the iceberg. In the face of such weapons, any tactics and any courage seem pale and powerless. At this moment, the last bit of dignity and hope he retained for the Western world was completely shattered. Just as the whole audience was still immersed in great shock, an official from the Intelligence Department walked quickly to Lin Xiao with a serious expression and handed him an encrypted telegram. Lin Xiao unfolded the telegram and the smile on his face slowly faded. The content of the telegram was simple: the caravan sent by the Hua Dynasty to the Western Regions was attacked by a powerful cavalry unit calling itself the “Shaman Empire” after crossing the Pamir Mountains, and the entire caravan was wiped out. Not only did the enemy steal the goods, they also left behind a arrogant warning: “The kingdom of gold and silk will eventually be conquered by the iron hoof of the true God.” A new, powerful, cavalry based land power emerged to the west of the Hua Dynasty. Lin Xiao handed the telegram to Song Qinghe, a cold light flashed in his eyes. It seems that the newly born industrial heart is about to face its true test. He returned to the harem and told the news to all the women. “Your Majesty, let Sun Mingde go! Use our new weapons to show those barbarians what a true iron hoof is!” Looking at the expressions of shared hatred on the women’s faces and their unreserved trust in him, Lin Xiao felt extremely proud. The cohesion of the empire has become increasingly indestructible in the face of repeated challenges. Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Lin Xiao lay on the dragon couch, enjoying the service of the sisters Liu Weilan and Liu Ruyan. The sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in my heart reached an unprecedented peak. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by 10, currently at 92.] [Liu Weilan’s favorability increased by +6, and the current favorability is 136.] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning a chance to draw a lottery! Do you want to draw now?] “lottery.” The system’s light flickered, eventually converging into a line of large golden characters. “Principles of Internal Combustion Engines and Complete Technology of Fossil Fuel Refining”! Lin Xiao’s breathing stopped for a moment. If the steam engine is the lever that triggered the Industrial Revolution, then the internal combustion engine is the legs that gave the world the power to run wildly! boom ! The torrent of knowledge once again rushed into his mind violently. From the Otto cycle to the Diesel cycle, from gasoline ignition to diesel compression ignition, from the sophisticated structure of the carburetor to the precise control of the high pressure common rail, from oil exploration methods to the construction technology of distillation towers… Everything turned into the deepest memory, imprinted deep in his soul. He seemed to see the steel behemoth, no longer requiring bulky boilers and lengthy preheating, galloping freely across the earth. He saw countless trucks forming a steel torrent, transporting the empire’s supplies to the ends of the earth, with an efficiency hundreds or thousands of times that of horse drawn carriages! He saw that the tank tracks rolled over all the trenches and obstacles, tearing the enemy’s cavalry line into pieces. The so called cavalry advantage would become a complete joke in front of this steel beast! “Huh…” Lin Xiao let out a long breath and opened his eyes. The light in his eyes was surprisingly bright. The sisters Liu Ruyan and Liu Weilan in his arms had already fallen into a deep sleep, their bodies warm and soft, with the lingering scent of sleep still lingering. He lowered his head and kissed each of their smooth foreheads, the ambition in his heart boiling to its peak. The Shahman Empire? Powerful cavalry? Very good, you will be the first batch of sacrifices at my coronation ceremony as the “King of the Land”! The next day, in the imperial study. The atmosphere is solemn. Core officials such as Sun Mingde, Zhang Fuan, Song Qinghe, and Li Dequan were all included. “Your Majesty, the Western Regions merchant caravan was completely wiped out. This is the most serious provocation to our Hua Dynasty!” The Minister of War Sun Mingde’s voice was like a bell, his face full of anger. “I beg your permission to immediately assemble our army and march westward to attack the Shamans! Use our Huayi rifles and heavy machine guns to show those barbarians who is the true ruler of the land!” The Cabinet’s Chief Minister, Song Qinghe, frowned and stepped out, saying, “Your Majesty, General Sun’s words are sound, but the journey to the Western Regions is vast, and the supply lines are long. Although our army has powerful weapons, once we penetrate deep into the desert, logistics will be a huge challenge.” “The Shahman Empire was founded on cavalry, and their mobility far surpasses ours. If they were to disrupt our food supply routes, the consequences would be disastrous. I believe this matter warrants careful consideration.” Li Dequan also echoed, “Yes, Your Majesty, our Hua Dynasty has just been established and there is much to be done. Although we have surplus food, embarking on a long expedition will be extremely costly and may affect people’s livelihood.” For a time, the pro war faction and the cautious faction in the hall argued endlessly. Lin Xiao sat upright on the dragon throne, his face calm, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, without saying a word. He waited until everyone had expressed their opinions before he spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but it instantly quieted the entire imperial study. “Everyone has a point.” He glanced at the crowd. “Logistics is a problem, and so is the mobility of the cavalry. So, why don’t we build a new one?” Everyone was stunned. Sun Mingde was puzzled: “Your Majesty, our heavy machine guns are enough to capture the Western Barbarians…” “No, I’m talking about the real king of the land.” Lin Xiao’s mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a mysterious smile. Chapter 532 Tanks Lin Xiao turned to Zhang Fuan: “Fuan.” “I’m here!” Zhang Fuan hurriedly stepped out. He knew that every time His Majesty showed this expression, it meant that something earth shattering was about to come out. “I ask you, is the steam engine useful?” “It works! Of course it works!” Zhang Fuan answered without hesitation. “Today, all the major mines and factories rely on the power of steam engines. Their efficiency is more than ten times higher than before!” “But isn’t it too heavy? It needs to boil water, and it needs a huge boiler, which takes half a day to start up.” “This…” Zhang Fuan’s old face flushed and he nodded, “That’s true.” Lin Xiao stood up, walked to the huge blackboard beside him, picked up the chalk, and in front of everyone’s astonished eyes, drew a sketch of a machine whose structure was far more complex than a steam engine, but its size was countless times smaller. “Today, I’m going to show you something new.” He pointed to the diagram on the blackboard and explained word by word, “It’s called an ‘internal combustion engine.'” “internal combustion engine?” Everyone was stunned. What kind of divine creation was this? “As the name suggests, it means placing the combustion process inside the machine.” Lin Xiao began to explain a groundbreaking concept to this group of ancient elites in the simplest language. “It doesn’t require a boiler or water; it burns oil. Once you add oil to it, it can unleash a force far exceeding that of a steam engine. Furthermore, it can be made very small, and starting up takes only a moment.” Zhang Fuan and several technical backbones of the Institute of Gewu stared at the drawings on the blackboard. The exquisite piston, connecting rod and crankshaft structure, and the incredible four stroke concept of “intake, compression, power generation and exhaust” made their heads buzz, and their worldview was once again pressed to the ground and rubbed repeatedly. No need for a boiler? Exploding directly in the cylinder? This… this is simply stuffing the Thunder God into an iron can! Although Sun Mingde didn’t understand the technical details, he grasped the key point: “Your Majesty! Are you saying that this thing can make the carriage run on its own, faster than a horse, and tireless?” “It’s more than just a carriage.” Lin Xiao smiled. He walked to the huge sand table map, picked up a command pole, and pointed it heavily in the direction of the Western Region. “I will use it to create a brand new war machine. It will be heavily armored, impervious to artillery fire; its feet made of steel will allow it to scale mountains and cross ridges as if on flat ground; it will use machine guns and artillery as its minions, and a single charge will be able to shred a cavalry regiment of tens of thousands!” “I call it—’Tank’!” “Tank…” Sun Mingde chewed on this unfamiliar word, his eyes flashing with unprecedented fanaticism. He seemed to have seen countless steel behemoths forming a torrent, rolling over the grassland and rushing towards the royal court of the Shaman Empire! “Your Majesty!” He fell to his knees with a plop, trembling with excitement. “If this thing can really be made, the barbarians of the Western Regions will have nothing to fear! Our Hua Dynasty will have a true king of the land!” Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction and issued two orders. “Zhang Fuan, listen to my orders!” “I am here!” “I order you to immediately establish the ‘Internal Combustion Engine Research and Manufacturing Department’. All resources of the Institute of Physical Science will be allocated to you, and I will personally guide you. Within three months, I want to hear the roar of the first internal combustion engine!” “Your Majesty, I obey your order! Even if it costs my life, I will complete it!” Zhang Fuan’s face turned red with excitement. “The second decree is to establish the ‘General Administration of Land and Resources Exploration’.” Lin Xiao looked at a young official. “Lu Jin, you’ll be in charge. I’ll give you a map. Your mission is to find a black, sticky liquid in the area marked on the map. It’s called ‘oil,’ the lifeblood of the internal combustion engine. No matter how many people and how much money you need, the cabinet will fully support you!” “Your Majesty, I obey your order!” Lu Jin, a young scholar from the Academy of Sciences, was so excited that his voice changed. A war mobilization against the Shahman Empire quietly unfolded in a way no one could have imagined. The entire Chinese high level leadership fell into a state of extreme excitement because of the word tank. The harem, Agula’s bedroom. The pregnant prairie jewel was stroking her swollen belly anxiously. She had just heard the news of the attack on the Western Regions merchant caravan, and as a former prairie warrior, her warlike nature was blazing. “I’m so angry! A bunch of uncivilized barbarians dare to attack His Majesty’s tiger whiskers! If it weren’t for… if it weren’t for this little guy in my belly, I would have to lead the troops myself and let them know what real cavalry is!” Agula pounded the couch angrily. Tuya smiled and consoled him, “Hey, you’re a double bodied person now, you can’t get angry. Besides, with His Majesty here, why would you need to take action?” “I just can’t accept it!” Agula pouted. At this time, Lin Xiao walked into the bedroom with great passion. “Who is unwilling to accept this? My Wu Fei, do you still want to go to the battlefield with a bulging belly?” Lin Xiao teased with a smile. “Your Majesty!” Agula’s eyes lit up when he saw Lin Xiao. He struggled to get up, but Lin Xiao quickly stepped forward and held him down. “You, just take good care of your pregnancy.” Lin Xiao sat beside her, holding her in his arms, and said softly, “Don’t worry, I have a surefire way to win this battle. When our child is born, I will take you to the royal court of the Shaman Empire to watch the sunset.” “Really?” Agula’s eyes were instantly filled with little stars. “You are not joking.” Lin Xiao’s confidence, like a potent tranquilizer, instantly soothed Agulla’s anxiety. She contentedly leaned against Lin Xiao’s chest, feeling the commanding presence of an emperor, her heart filled with an unprecedented sense of security and admiration. She knew that a new and more magnificent era was about to begin in the hands of her man. However, two nights later, deep in the palace. “ah !” From Agula’s bedroom, her screams of pain were heard. This pearl of the grassland who once galloped on horseback was now lying on the bed, her long hair soaked with sweat, and her beautiful face was distorted by severe pain. She is about to give birth. But this pregnancy seemed particularly difficult. “My lady, use more force! Use more force!” “The fetal position is a little abnormal, what should I do?” “Quick! Go get the imperial physician! No, go get Mr. He Yuan from the medical school!” There was chaos inside and outside the delivery room. Liu Weilan, Tuya, Liu Ruyan and other concubines in the harem were all waiting anxiously outside the door, each of them was extremely worried. When Lin Xiao heard the news, he rushed into the bedroom like the wind, only to see a group of bewildered midwives and the solemn looking medical officer He Yuan. Chapter 533 Born “Your Majesty, why are you here? This is the delivery room, it’s full of foul air, your precious body…” He Yuan was shocked and tried to dissuade him. “Get out of my way!” Lin Xiao shouted angrily, pushed away the people blocking his way, and rushed to the bed. He looked at Agula, who was lying on the bed with her consciousness a little blurred due to exhaustion, and his heart ached. He held her cold hand without hesitation. “Agura, look at me! I’m here!” Hearing Lin Xiao’s voice, Agula seemed to have found her backbone, and her scattered eyes refocused. She grabbed Lin Xiao tightly with her backhand, her nails almost digging into his flesh. Lin Xiao had no time to deal with the red tape. In his brain, the knowledge from “Encyclopedia of Biology and Basic Medical Knowledge” and “Penicillin Purification and Mass Production Technology” were running rapidly. “What’s the situation?” he asked He Yuan calmly. He Yuan reported with sweat on his forehead, “Your Majesty, Concubine Wu’s fetus is in an abnormal position and is too large. It has been…it has been in pain for six hours. I’m afraid…I’m afraid…” “Afraid of what!” Lin Xiao’s eyes turned cold. “I’m afraid we can only save the younger one, or… one body and two lives…” He Yuan trembled as he said the worst outcome. “Bullshit!” Lin Xiao shouted angrily, “None of my women and children can be harmed!” He immediately ordered, “Everyone, listen! Immediately prepare hot water, plenty of strong liquor, and clean white cloths! Sterilize the scalpels and hemostats I asked you to make earlier with strong liquor and boiling water! Quick!” The midwives and doctors present were all stunned, but no one dared to disobey the emperor’s order. Lin Xiao leaned over and whispered softly in Agula’s ear: “Trust me, you will be fine, and our child will be fine too.” His voice seemed to have a magical power that rekindled the will to survive in Agula, who was on the verge of despair. Relying on the obstetrics and gynecology knowledge in his mind that was far ahead of his time, Lin Xiao quickly determined what type of difficult labor it was. He took a deep breath and began to give orders calmly. “He Yuan, come here! Do as I say. Press this spot on her. Yes, right here. Push hard!” “You two, lift her legs up and bend them toward her abdomen. Yes! Hold on!” He personally took action, using a professional technique called “rotating the fetus” to carefully adjust the fetus’s posture in between contractions. Time passed minute by minute, and the atmosphere in the delivery room became extremely tense. Finally, under Lin Xiao’s precise command and Agula’s full cooperation— “Wow !” A loud, powerful, and full bodied baby cry, like thunder, exploded in the bedroom! Born! Everyone collapsed on the ground, crying with joy. He Yuan looked at the fat boy who was in the midwife’s arms, kicking his arms and legs and crying loudly, and then looked at the emperor who was personally delivering the baby and sweating profusely. He was so moved that he burst into tears and knelt down. “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is truly a god! In my lifetime of practicing medicine, I have never heard of or seen anything like it!” Agula was already exhausted, but her face was filled with the most beautiful and gentle smile of her life. She looked at Lin Xiao, and in those eyes that were once as proud as a blazing fire, there was now only unbreakable tenderness and love that penetrated the soul. This man was the strong man who conquered her body and mind, the emperor who bestowed glory on her, and at this moment, the God who pulled her and her child back from the brink of death. Lin Xiao carefully took his son from the midwife’s hands. As soon as the little guy was in his arms, he miraculously stopped crying and looked at him curiously with his big black eyes. This is a perfect combination, with the handsome outline of the Central Plains people and the heroic skeleton of the grassland people. Lin Xiao’s heart was filled with excitement and great ambition. “You are the son of me and Agula, the bond between the Hua Dynasty and the grasslands. I give you the name Tuo, Lin Tuo! I hope that in the future, you can expand the territory of our Hua Dynasty and make it famous throughout the world!” At this moment, the familiar system prompt sound rang in his mind. [Ding! Agula’s favorability +20, breaking through the critical value, love sublimated! Current favorability 105.] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning a chance to draw a lottery! Do you want to draw now?] “Lottery!” Lin Xiao held his son in his arms and looked at the woman on the bed who was smiling at him like a flower. An unprecedented sense of satisfaction and accomplishment filled his body. In an instant, the system roulette in his mind burst out with an unprecedented and extremely bright golden light! The light seemed to contain the mystery of the birth and death of the universe, sacred and majestic. The light slowly converged, and finally, it condensed into a constantly changing picture that seemed to be woven by light. Above the map, a line of extremely mysterious titles composed of countless tiny symbols slowly emerged. “Gene Information Editing and Life Blueprint Analysis Technology”! Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly shrank to the size of a needle tip! An indescribable ecstasy, mixed with a hint of awe of the unknown power, instantly swept over his body! If previous technology was used to transform the world. So this technology is… creating the world! A massive torrent of knowledge, far beyond the limits of human imagination, poured into his brain like a galaxy bursting its banks. DNA double helix structure, gene sequencing, CRISPR Cas9, cell reprogramming… From the most microscopic code of life to the most macroscopic species evolution, everything has become his instinct. He closed his eyes and felt the power. He saw that the genes of rice were rewritten, and it grew ears of rice as large as corn, and was able to resist all diseases and pests. He saw that the genes of the cows had been optimized, and the milk they produced was comparable to spiritual spring water, and could also automatically generate substances beneficial to the human body. He even saw that the blueprint of life was being drawn at will in his hands, and that it no longer required the use of the Lingquan space. It was a technology that could be taught to all citizens! Lin Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, and the look in his eyes was beyond the reach of ordinary people. He lowered his head, looking at his ignorant son Lin Tuo in his arms, then raised his head and looked at the huge world map on the wall. The Shahman Empire? The Western Barbarian Kingdoms? They are all too small. From this day on, his journey is life itself. It’s the future of this planet… A few days later. After Agula recovered from childbirth, the bedroom no longer had the passion and flamboyance of the past. Instead, it was replaced by the gentleness of a grassland soaked by rain. She leaned against the couch, looking at Lin Tuo who was sleeping soundly in the cradle beside her, and then at Lin Xiao who was carefully tucking the corners of the quilt for her son. The bright eyes that once could draw a bow and shoot eagles were now filled with unmelted tenderness. This man was once a conqueror who had trampled on her country and captured her body and soul. Now, he is even more like a god who pulled her and the child back from the gates of hell. This transformation from conquest to redemption completely shattered the last bit of pride that belonged to a prairie princess in Agula’s heart, leaving only complete dependence and admiration for a man, a husband, and a father. Chapter 534 Warmth “Your Majesty, look at him, his nose and mouth are so much like yours.” Agula’s voice was so soft as if he was afraid of disturbing his dream. Lin Xiao turned around and took her hand, which was outside the quilt. It was warm and smooth. He smiled and said, “Your eyes are like yours, dark and bright. You will definitely be a boy who can make girls’ hearts beat fast in the future.” A blush appeared on Agula’s cheeks, and she gave him a reproachful look. Her charm was even more captivating than when she was riding a horse and whipping the whip in the past. At this moment, there was a sound of light footsteps and muffled childish voices coming from outside the door. “Shh! Keep your voice down, your brother is sleeping!” This was the voice of the eldest sister Lin Xin, with the seriousness of a little adult. “I want to see my younger brother! I want to see!” This is the second brother Lin Rui, always the most lively and active one in the family. Immediately afterwards, Yan Ruotong, Yan Ruoxi, Liu Ruyan and other concubines walked in quietly with a group of children of different sizes. When they saw the warm and affectionate scene in the hall, they slowed down their pace and smiled knowingly on their faces. “Sister, you are here.” Agula wanted to get up, but Yan Rutong quickly stepped forward and held him down. “You’re not fully recovered yet. Lie still.” Yan Ruotong sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her with concern. She then peeked at Lin Tuo in the cradle and said with a smile, “This child is really strong. His cry is even louder than his brother Rui’er’s when he was born.” A group of children immediately gathered around, standing on tiptoe, clinging to the edge of the cradle, and looking at the new family member curiously. Lin Rui was the boldest. He stretched out his little finger and wanted to poke Lin Tuo’s chubby face, but Yan Rutong quickly slapped the back of his hand. “Don’t move, your brother is still young.” Lin Rui retracted his hand aggrievedly, pouting: “I just wanted to see if my brother is soft.” This sentence made all the women in the room laugh. Lin Xin, like a little adult, stood with his hands behind his back and commented seriously, “Well, my brother looks very good, but he has a little less hair.” Zhang Wanqing’s son, Zhang Chengyu, was a calm person. He just watched silently, his eyes full of curiosity. Aunt Wang’s daughter, Lin Nian, tugged at her mother’s clothes and asked softly, “Mom, was I also this young when I came here?” The entire bedroom was filled with the laughter of children and the tenderness of women. The majesty of the imperial family was diluted, leaving only the warmth and harmony of an ordinary family. Lin Xiao looked at this scene and felt peace in his heart. Power, conquest, and expansion of territory are ultimately all for the purpose of protecting the human atmosphere in front of us. After a warm family time, Lin Xiao summoned the Minister of Works Zhang Fuan and the Director of the newly established National Land and Resources Exploration Bureau Lu Jin to the imperial study. “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan’s face was filled with shame as he entered the room. This Shangshu, who had single handedly created countless industrial miracles in the Hua Dynasty, now looked like a child who had done something wrong. “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is guilty! That ‘internal combustion engine’ is really… too difficult!” He submitted a report detailing the progress of the “Internal Combustion Engine Research and Manufacturing Department” in the past few days or rather, the lack of progress. “We used the finest alloy steel to create the cylinder and piston according to your majesty’s drawings. The precision is impeccable. But… but it just won’t move!” Zhang Fuan was so worried that his hair almost fell out. “Either the oil and gas mixture is wrong, or it won’t light. I finally managed to light it once, but with a bang, it almost singed my eyebrows! The craftsmen are saying it’s like trying to stuff the Thunder God into an iron can. They’re all scared to death.” Lin Xiao took the report and took a look at it. He was not surprised. The difficulty of internal combustion engines has never been just about machining, but also about the two core aspects: the ignition system and the fuel system. Without the mature spark plug and carburetor technology of later generations, relying solely on the craftsmen of this era to explore would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. “This isn’t your fault,” Lin Xiao soothed. “I’ll give you a few more blueprints about ‘ignition’ and ‘air intake’. Follow them first. Remember, safety comes first.” After sending away the sad looking Zhang Fuan, Lin Xiao looked at the young Lu Jin again. Lu Jin looked even more haggard than Zhang Fuan, with dark circles under his eyes and chapped lips. It was obvious that he was exhausted from running around for days. “Your Majesty, we are incompetent!” Lu Jin’s voice was a little hoarse. “I led three exploration teams and explored the areas marked on your map day and night.” “But… apart from a few pits of black, sticky oil mud on the edge of the Western Regions, there’s no trace of the gushing ‘oil’ you’re talking about.” “The locals say it’s called ‘stone lacquer’ and can be used to light lamps, but it produces so much smoke that it’s completely useless. We dug down more than ten meters and found only oily sand.” This was an expected difficulty. Finding oil is a complex science even in modern times, let alone in this era where all he has to do is rely on the approximate locations marked in his memory. “Keep looking.” Lin Xiao’s tone left no room for doubt. “Expand the scope and deepen the depth. What I want is the blood that can make the entire empire run. It must be there. If there are not enough people, add more. If there is not enough money, approve it. I only want results.” “Your Majesty… obeys your command!” Lu Jin kowtowed heavily, carrying the pressure and mission on his shoulders. After seeing the two off, Lin Xiao sat alone on the dragon throne, lost in thought. The internal combustion engine and oil were the physical driving forces of the empire and the imminent needs of war. The “Gene Information Editing and Life Blueprint Analysis Technology” that we have just acquired is a leap at the civilization level and a force that can truly change the foundation of the world. His Lingquan Space is the best catalyst and laboratory. Thinking of this, Lin Xiao’s mind suddenly became clear. He decided that rice would be his first target. Nothing can stabilize people’s hearts and demonstrate “miracles” better than food. He wanted to create a new kind of rice, no, several new kinds of rice. One would be super high yielding, yielding thousands of kilograms per mu, completely solving the problem of food and clothing. One type is highly resistant to drought, flood, disease and insect pests, so that farmers no longer have to rely on the weather for their livelihood. Another way is to change the nutritional content of rice so that it contains more protein and trace elements, so that even the most ordinary children in the empire can have the strongest physique. With a thought, Lin Xiao entered the Lingquan space. In this space, all kinds of rare animals and plants thrive. He walked to a specially opened experimental field where the most common types of rice in China were grown. Closing my eyes, the mysterious volume “Gene Information Editing and Life Blueprint Analysis Technology” unfolded in my mind. DNA double helix structure, gene sequence, promoter, terminator… countless information flows by. He stretched out his hand, as if he could touch the most fundamental life code of these rice plants. “I need…higher photosynthesis efficiency, shorter growth cycles, stronger root systems, and…optimal expression of grain proteins.” His consciousness transformed into an invisible, most sophisticated scalpel, and began to perform an unprecedented “creation” operation in that microscopic world. This was a vast and meticulous project. Lin Xiao was completely immersed in it, completely forgetting himself. Chapter 535 Found When Lin Xiao opened his eyes again, only an hour had passed in the outside world, but inside the space, thanks to his careful editing and time acceleration, the first generation of “divine seeds” had already sprouted. The rice ears were nearly twice as long as ordinary rice ears, and each grain was so full that it seemed about to burst, with a faint golden luster. Lin Xiao smiled with satisfaction. He walked out of the space, returned to the imperial study, picked up a pen and wrote a letter, and put it into a brocade box along with a small bag of “divine seeds” he had just harvested. He summoned a trusted guard and said, “Send this to Li Dequan, the Minister of Civil Affairs. Have him find the most secret and reliable royal farm and plant this rice there.” “Remember, no one except him is allowed to approach. Tell him that this is a sign of a good harvest that I prayed for the people of the Hua Dynasty.” The guards took the order and left, their figures disappearing into the night. Lin Xiao stood in front of the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky. This world will eventually be completely changed because of him. The iron hoofs of war and the waves of harvested wheat will write a new chapter in his hands. And all this has just begun. In the suburbs of Beijing, inside the heavily guarded “Internal Combustion Engine Research and Manufacturing Department”, the atmosphere was as oppressive as a pressure cooker. “Cough cough cough!” Accompanied by a violent cough and a cloud of thick black smoke, Minister of Works Zhang Fuan emerged from beside a half man high steel monster, covered in dust and dirt. His brand new official robe from the Ministry of Works was now stained with oil, making him look like a cook who had just crawled out of the stove. “Again…again not working?” A researcher from the Institute of Gewu, whose face was also dark, asked cautiously. “No!” Zhang Fuan yelled angrily, sat down on the ground, and grabbed his hair in annoyance. “This damn thing has a temper worse than the princess! If you give it too much oil, it’ll play tricks on you, drowning seven armies, emitting black smoke; if you give it too little oil, it’ll just grunt twice and die! And that ‘ignition’ thing is even more bizarre! It’s either dumb or a firecracker! Sooner or later, it’s going to set my beard on fire!” The craftsmen and researchers around him shrank their necks and dared not say a word. In the past few days, they have witnessed seven or eight small explosions and more than a dozen violent backfires. If it weren’t for the death order from the Shangshu, they would have quit long ago. This thing is so scary. Just when everyone was at a loss, a calm voice sounded at the door. “It seems that our Thunder God is not very obedient.” When everyone looked back, they saw Emperor Lin Xiao standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the “Thunder God” that was on strike with interest. “Your Majesty!” Zhang Fuan shuddered, tumbling to his feet and saluting, “I’m sorry to have embarrassed Your Majesty by showing my incompetence!” “It’s okay.” Lin Xiao waved his hand and walked straight to the rough internal combustion engine prototype. He didn’t give a direct answer, but pointed to a strange ceramic tube connected to a copper wire and asked, “Fuan, do you know what this is?” “Your Majesty, this is the ‘igniter’ you saw on your blueprint. I used the finest kaolin clay to create the body, and a core of fine copper, but… but it always leaks electricity, or the spark is too weak to ignite the oil vapor.” “Porcelain can insulate, but not enough. Copper can conduct electricity, but it can’t withstand high temperatures.” Lin Xiao picked up a piece of chalk and drew a cross section of a later spark plug on the blackboard next to him. “Look here, we need a metal that’s more resistant to high temperatures, like tungsten. And inside this insulator, we need to fill it with a special material to create resistance. The most critical thing is this gap.” He pointed to the end of the electrode. “The size of the gap determines the strength of the spark. Too small and it’s weak, too large and it’s nonexistent. It’s a balance that requires repeated trial and error to find.” Then he pointed to a complex device connected to the oil pipeline. “And here, I call it the ‘carburetor.’ Its function isn’t simply to pump oil in, but to atomize the oil and mix it with the air in a perfect ratio.” “A little more makes it thicker, a little less makes it thinner. Look, this valve, this float, their function is…” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it was like thunder, splitting the fog in the minds of Zhang Fuan and all the technicians present. Before, they just copied others, knowing the results but not the reasons. With Lin Xiao’s guidance, those seemingly isolated parts were instantly connected in their minds into an organic and sophisticated whole. “So that’s it! So that’s it!” Zhang Fuan slapped his thigh, his eyes flashing with enthusiasm, “I understand! I understand! This… this is simply a stroke of genius!” Under Lin Xiao’s personal guidance, the craftsmen of the Research and Manufacturing Department immediately took action. According to the new drawings, they adjusted the spark plug gap and modified the structure of the carburetor. An hour later, everything was ready. “Try again.” Lin Xiao took a few steps back and gave the order. A courageous craftsman swallowed and nervously cranked the starter crank. “Hmph…Hmph…Hmph…” The engine thrummed a few times, more powerful than ever before. Sudden! “Thump, thump, thump… Boom—!” A continuous and rhythmic roar, completely different from all previous explosions, suddenly exploded! The ground of the entire factory was shaking slightly. That steel monster, that unruly “Thunder God”, was now roaring wildly with unprecedented momentum, light blue smoke spewing out of the exhaust pipe, and the flywheel was spinning at high speed, bringing up a strong wind. Success! Zhang Fuan stood there in a daze, his whole body trembling, his mouth wide open enough for an egg to fit in. He stared at the roaring engine, feeling the pure and powerful force, and tears flowed unconsciously . “It moved…it really moved…” he muttered to himself, then turned around abruptly, knelt down on the ground in front of Lin Xiao with a “thump”, kowtowed heavily, his voice choked with sobs. “Your Majesty…you are truly a god descended from heaven! These divine objects will surely help our Hua Dynasty rebuild the world!” “A miracle! It’s a miracle!” All the craftsmen and researchers also reacted, kneeling on the ground and worshipping Lin Xiao. The admiration and fanaticism in their eyes could not be described in words. Just as the roar of the engine resounded throughout the suburbs of Beijing, a telegram was delivered to Lin Xiao’s desk from the distant Western Regions. The content of the telegram made the atmosphere in the entire imperial study boil. “Your Majesty! Found it! Found it!” The intelligence officer who came to deliver the letter was so excited that he was incoherent. “Lord Lu Jin found it at the northern foot of the Kunlun Mountains, in a place called Karamay! A black column of oil shot up into the sky, more than ten feet high! He said… he said there’s a black river of gold flowing beneath the ground!” Oil! The blood of the empire, finally found! Chapter 536 Results However, before the wave of joy subsided, another urgent military report from the Ministry of War poured down on everyone’s heads like a basin of cold water. The military report came from scouts on the western border. “The Shahman Empire’s army is making unusual movements!” Sun Mingde read the military report, his face solemn. “Their Emperor, Timur, has issued an ‘imperial general mobilization order.’ Reports indicate they are gathering over 300,000 elite cavalry, calling themselves ‘a million strong army,’ and are marching towards our Hua Dynasty border.” “Three hundred thousand cavalry?” Song Qinghe took a breath. This was almost the entire Samanid Empire’s military strength. “That’s not all,” Sun Mingde continued. “Timur is incredibly cunning. He’s ordered the entire 300 li area behind the border to be fortified and cleared of all land. All villages, water sources, and pastures must be burned to the ground. This is intended to sever our army’s logistical supplies and force us into a decisive battle in the desert!” At this moment, the imperial study, which had been full of joy just now, suddenly became silent. The torrent of 300,000 cavalrymen, plus the 300 mile no man’s land of death, the logistical pressure is simply astronomical. Even if the Hua Dynasty was a powerful country, it would be almost impossible to support such an expedition. Everyone’s eyes were focused on Lin Xiao. There was no trace of worry on Lin Xiao’s face. He held the telegram of successful oil exploration in one hand and the report of successful engine test in the other, and a cold arc slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth. Clear the countryside? Cut off our logistics? It’s true… when I feel sleepy, someone gives me a pillow. He walked to the huge sand table map and looked at the vast territory representing the Shaman Empire, his eyes flashing with the light of a hunter seeing his prey. “Pass on my command.” His voice was not loud, but full of unquestionable majesty. “Order Zhang Fuan: Within three months, I want to see one hundred qualified internal combustion engines! Order the arsenal to begin manufacturing the vehicle body and transmission simultaneously!” “Order Lu Jin to build an oil pipeline at all costs to transport the oil to the inland refineries!” “Order Sun Mingde to select the most elite soldiers from the entire army and form a brand new unit the First Armored Division!” He turned around, looked at the stunned ministers, and announced word by word. “Timur thought he had set a trap, so I will let him see what true power is.” “The race has begun. Let’s create a true ‘King of the Land’ and show him that times have changed.” Time flies, three months later. Beijing, Western Learning Compilation and Translation Bureau. Harrington, the former Western Yi general, was now wearing an ordinary Chinese scholar’s robe and was arguing fiercely with several blond and blue eyed companions around a huge table. “No, Arthur, I think your majesty’s theory of ‘conservation of energy’ is more applicable here! The loss of thermal efficiency in the steam engine must be converted into other forms of energy, such as friction and sound!” Harrington, overcome with emotion, pointed to a complex blueprint of a steam engine. “But General Harrington, according to the ‘Second Law of Thermodynamics,’ entropy increase is irreversible! We can never achieve 100% conversion!” Scholar Arthur Wellesley adjusted his glasses, his face also filled with enthusiasm. This group of once arrogant Western elites were completely conquered after witnessing Lin Xiao’s knowledge system that was far ahead of its time. They no longer worked to survive, but instead absorbed every new concept thrown out by this Eastern empire like sponges, and worked day and night for it. They even voluntarily donated all the books and materials they brought on board the ship in exchange for the qualification to audit courses at the Gewu Academy. To them, the Hua Dynasty was no longer a barbaric country, but an unfathomable scientific giant cloaked in ancient garb. Just as they were arguing, a low and oppressive roar came from outside the window, and the earth seemed to be shaking. Harrington and others were startled and rushed to the window. On the Royal Avenue in the distance, a team of more than a dozen green armored monsters was slowly passing by. These monsters were not pulled by horses, but moved freely. They were covered with heavy armor, with a black gun barrel extending from the top and several ferocious gun muzzles on both sides. They rolled over the cobblestone road, making clanging sounds and the roar of engines, carrying a full sense of oppression. “Oh my God…” Harrington muttered to himself as he looked at the steel behemoth, his eyes full of awe and fear. In the suburbs of Beijing, the royal secret shooting range. The first armored unit of the Huachao Dynasty the first battalion of the “Pioneer” division, ten majestic “Pioneer I” tanks were lined up in battle formation. Lin Xiao stood on the high reviewing stand, flanked by the Minister of War Sun Mingde, the Minister of Works Zhang Fuan, and a group of core generals. Sun Mingde was so excited that his face turned red and his palms were sweaty. In the past few months, he has been spending almost every day in the tank manufacturing plant, witnessing with his own eyes how these steel behemoths are assembled from piles of parts into their current devastating appearance. But even so, when ten tanks started their engines at the same time, the earth shaking momentum still made his heart surge. “Your Majesty, this… this iron lump can really fight?” An old general, urgently recalled from the border, asked in disbelief. “Can it run as fast as a warhorse? Can it break through the enemy’s formation?” Lin Xiao smiled and did not answer, but made a gesture to the signalman below. “Target, three miles ahead, enemy fortifications! Open fire!” The order was given. The originally clumsy turrets of the ten tanks began to rotate slowly with a teeth grinding “creaking” sound, and the black muzzles were accurately pointed at the simulated Shaman Empire camp in the distance. “Fire!” “Boom! Boom! Boom!…” Ten loud explosions erupted almost simultaneously, shaking the entire range! The flashes of fire from the shells distorted the air. Three miles away, the sturdy camp built with huge trees and rammed earth was instantly engulfed in flames and smoke. The violent explosion tore the several meter high wooden wall into pieces, and huge gaps were blown out in the solid earthen ramparts, as if they had been gnawed by a giant. All the generals who were watching, including the veteran who had just questioned them, were petrified on the spot, their mouths opened wide enough to swallow a cannonball. Three miles! A full three miles of precision strikes! What a concept! This meant that their army could blast the enemy’s fortifications into rubble, even out of the range of their bows and arrows, or even their old artillery! “This… this…” The veteran pointed at the sea of fire in the distance, so excited that he couldn’t speak. “This is just an appetizer.” Lin Xiao said calmly. “All out assault!” As the command flag was waved, ten “Pioneer” tanks, like awakened ancient beasts, rolled on their tracks, crushed the earth, and launched a charge. Chapter 537 World Map The speed of the tanks was getting faster and faster. Although not as fast as a sprinting warhorse, its unstoppable and overwhelming momentum was far beyond the reach of flesh and blood cavalry. They easily crushed over a man high earthen wall and broke wooden stakes as thick as bowls. Like iron plows, they plowed out a path of destruction on the simulated complex battlefield. “Da da da da—!” The heavy machine guns on both sides of the tank began to roar, and flames spewed out, interweaving into a web of death, tearing all the straw man targets within a few hundred meters in front into pieces. Sun Mingde looked at this hellish scene and his blood began to burn. He seemed to have seen the scene where this armored torrent rushed into the 300,000 cavalry of the Shaman Empire, with people and horses falling and blood and flesh flying everywhere. Any cavalry charge or volley of arrows would be a joke in front of this steel behemoth! “Your Majesty!” Sun Mingde fell to his knees with a plop. This iron willed man was so excited that tears filled his eyes. “With this magical weapon, let alone the Shaman Empire, even the ends of the earth can be crushed by our Hua Dynasty army!” “Hahaha! I will be the vanguard! Lead this divine army and attack Timur’s court!” All the generals knelt down, cheering like thunder and fighting spirit soared to the sky. Just as the shooting range was engulfed in the fever of victory, a fast horse came galloping over. Minister of Civil Affairs Li Dequan fell off his horse, tumbling and crawling. He didn’t even bother to brush off the dust on his body. He held a bunch of golden rice ears high in his hand and rushed towards the reviewing stand like a madman. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A miracle! A true miracle!” Li Dequan rushed to Lin Xiao and presented him with the bunch of rice ears. He was so excited that he burst into tears and couldn’t speak. “It’s done! The ‘Omen of a Good Harvest’ you bestowed upon us has come true! At the Nanyuan Royal Farm, one acre of experimental field has yielded… 3,200 kilograms of dry grain!” “What?!” If the power of tanks drove the military generals crazy, then this number made all the civil servants, headed by the chief minister Song Qinghe, collectively lose their minds. Thirty two hundred catties per acre! What kind of concept is that? Even in good weather and good harvests, the best farmland in the Hua Dynasty can only yield a little over three hundred catties per acre. This has increased tenfold! Song Qinghe walked forward tremblingly and took the bunch of rice ears from Li Dequan. Each grain of rice was a circle larger than ordinary rice, so full that it was almost transparent, and sparkled with a golden luster in the sunlight. He could even smell a strange fragrance. “This… this is the sacred valley! God bless our Hua Dynasty! God bless our Hua Dynasty!” Song Qinghe burst into tears and bowed to the sky. The logistical problems that had troubled everyone an hour ago became so ridiculous at this moment. With this sacred valley, the Hua Dynasty will have mountains of food, enough to support a war of any scale! Lin Xiao smiled, picked up a hot bullet shell in one hand and a grain of golden rice in the other. He looked to the west, where the dark clouds of the 300,000 strong Shaman army were gathering. He looked back at the capital, where his people would bid farewell to hunger forever thanks to this sacred valley. He smiled. “Sun Mingde.” “I will be here!” “I hereby order the ‘Pioneering’ Division to immediately depart for the Western Frontier.” “Song Qinghe, Li Dequan.” “I am here!” “Pass on my decree to establish a ‘Divine Rice Cultivation Base’ with the Royal Farm as its center. Next spring, I will have these golden waves of rice spread across every inch of the Hua Dynasty’s land.” “I want everyone in the world to know.” Lin Xiao’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears, clear and firm. “Those who offend the Hua Dynasty will be punished, no matter how far away they are. And those who obey the Hua Dynasty will enjoy eternal prosperity.” As night falls, the hustle and bustle of the imperial capital gradually fades away. When Lin Xiao returned to the palace, sisters Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi were playing in the yard with a few children. Lin Rui and Lin Xin, the two older ones, were learning the boxing techniques that Agula had taught them during the day with great vigor and energy. The smaller ones were giggling as they gathered around a fat rabbit they had caught from the imperial garden. “My husband is back!” Yan Ruoxi was sharp eyed and was the first to see Lin Xiao. She came up to him like a happy little bird and naturally took his arm. “Those ministers must have been frightened today, weren’t they?” She looked up, her eyes filled with a touch of pride and admiration. “I heard from the palace maids that Prime Minister Song and his men cried when they saw the rice.” Lin Xiao scratched her small nose and said with a smile: “Yeah, a bunch of old men who have never seen the world.” Yan Ruotong also came over. She was calm and composed. She just helped Lin Xiao straighten his slightly wrinkled collar and asked softly, “Are you confident in the war in the west?” Her worries were not groundless. Three hundred thousand cavalrymen was a number that was enough to make any emperor uneasy. “Don’t worry.” Lin Xiao held her hand. “Times have changed. No matter how many people there are, they are just targets.” He looked at the carefree children in the yard and felt an unprecedented peace in his heart. Isn’t everything he does just to protect this tranquility? At this time, a eunuch came hurriedly and presented a secret report. “Your Majesty, an urgent report from the Western Learning Compilation Institute.” Lin Xiao took the secret report, unfolded it and raised his brows slightly. The secret report did not come from the battlefield, nor did it have anything to do with internal affairs. Instead, it was a map, a map of the world as understood by Arthur Wellesley and others, drawn based on captured Western books and interrogations of prisoners. On the map, the Hua Dynasty and its neighboring countries, such as Japan and the Shaman Empire, only occupied a corner of the east. In the far west, dozens of countries are densely marked, including England, France, Spain… Their territories are intertwined, and their total area is even no less than that of the Hua Dynasty. What made Lin Xiao even more concerned was that the map showed huge plates called “New World” and “Southern Continent”, which already had the colonial marks of those Western countries. “Husband, what’s wrong?” Yan Ruotong noticed the change in his expression. Lin Xiao handed the map to her. The two sisters huddled together and looked at the map that was far beyond their imagination. Their mouths were slightly open, and their eyes were full of disbelief. “This world… is so big?” Yan Ruoxi murmured. “Yes, it’s much bigger than we thought.” Lin Xiao’s eyes were deep. Although he knew this before, when this map drawn by people of this era was placed in front of him, the shock was still strong. These Western barbarians have extended their tentacles to every corner of the world. What the South China Sea Fleet encountered were just their pawns exploring the way. “Will they… come again?” There was a hint of worry in Yan Ruotong’s voice. “Yes,” Lin Xiao replied firmly. “Once the jackals smell blood, they will only attract more of their kind. Unless we scare them so much that they retract their claws.” He put away the map, and the plan in his mind, which was originally aimed at the Shaman Empire, quietly underwent some changes. This battle was not only fought for Timur to see, but also for all the countries on this map to see. He needs a resounding, unprecedented victory, a performance that will make the whole world tremble. He looked at the children playing in the yard and his wives and concubines with trusting expressions, and his determination became even stronger. Chapter 538 Something went wrong The next day, Lin Xiao summoned the core ministers again. When Song Qinghe, Li Dequan and others saw the huge world map, their reaction was even stronger than that of the Yan sisters. Song Qinghe’s beard was shaking, Li Dequan’s face turned pale, and Sun Mingde, after the initial shock, his eyes shone with the light of a hungry wolf. “Your Majesty…is this…is this all true?” Song Qinghe’s voice was dry. “Almost exactly.” Lin Xiao pointed at the map. “The land beneath our feet is only a part of the world. And these Western barbarians, their ambition is the whole world.” There was deathly silence in the imperial study. Everyone was dizzy from the shock of this cruel fact. They have always believed that the Hua Dynasty is the center of the world and the only civilization, but now it seems that they were just deceiving themselves. “Damn it!” Sun Mingde slammed his fist on the table and roared, “What’s there to be afraid of? We’ll kill as many of them as there are! Your Majesty, after we’ve dealt with those bastards from the Shaman Kingdom, give me a fleet and I’ll go and destroy their homeland as well!” “Nonsense!” Song Qinghe immediately retorted, “General Sun, do you know that the sea route from our Hua Dynasty to the Western Barbarians’ homeland is far, more than ten thousand miles? Although our country is strong, how can we support an expedition of this scale? The most urgent task is to recuperate and strengthen our coastal defenses, not to engage in excessive military expansion!” “You are only boosting others’ morale and destroying your own prestige!” “You are a reckless man, disregarding the country and the people!” Just as the two were about to quarrel, Lin Xiao raised his hand. “Stop arguing.” He walked over to the map and glanced at everyone. “The Prime Minister is right. We cannot advance rashly. General Sun is also right. We cannot shrink back.” “I have decided to first take the Shaman Empire as a stage for our Hua Dynasty to demonstrate its strength to the world. This battle must not only be won, but also won beautifully, a victory that will scare everyone.” He paused, his voice turning cold. “I want every country on this map to know that a lion has awakened in the East. If you want to be our guest, we welcome you. If you want to be our bandits, be prepared to leave your life behind.” His words calmed everyone’s hearts. Yes, what are they afraid of? They have a godlike emperor, tanks that can destroy the world, and divine grain that yields 3,000 kilograms per mu. The world is big, but they, the Hua Dynasty, are destined to stand at the top of the world. After the meeting, Lin Xiao stayed alone in the imperial study, looking at the map in deep thought. The clarion call of war has been sounded, but the preparations have just begun. As soon as the order to march west was issued, the entire Hua Dynasty turned into a high speed war machine. The arsenal outside Beijing was brightly lit. Zhang Fuan and his most capable craftsmen worked day and night to produce subsequent batches and spare parts for the “Pioneer I” tanks. The chimneys of the steel plant spewed out thick smoke, and the molten steel in the blast furnaces dyed half the sky red. And further away, countless food, ammunition, and clothing were continuously flowing to the western border through the newly built railways and roads. The front page of “Hua Chao Di Bao” published the emperor’s “Exhortation to Punish Shaman” with the most eye catching headline. The article recounts the crimes of the Saman Empire in looting caravans and slaughtering civilians, and also describes the might of the Hua Dynasty soldiers and the power of the “King of the Land”. For a time, the people were excited and countless passionate young people flocked to the conscription office, hoping to fight for the country and make achievements. In a small pub in Beijing, Wang Tiezhu’s son Wang Gousheng was chatting with several co workers. “You didn’t see it! I was outside the firing range that day, and the noise was like thunder! When our Majesty’s armored beast fired, boom! The mountains a few miles away were flattened!” Wang Gousheng gestured, his face filled with pride. “Let me tell you, the 300,000 cavalrymen of the Shaman Kingdom may sound intimidating, but compared to our armored beasts, they’re just a pile of meat!” “Brother Gousheng, is this true? So awesome?” A young worker asked with admiration in his eyes. “How could it be false? It’s even in the official gazette!” Wang Gousheng patted his chest. “Our Majesty is like a god from heaven descending to earth! Following His Majesty, let alone the mere Shaman Kingdom, we can conquer even the Western Yi homeland depicted on that map. It’s all within our grasp!” The enthusiasm and confidence of the people almost overflowed the walls of the capital. However, as the core of this war machine, Lin Xiao’s life was far from easy. That day, he was reviewing memorials in the imperial study when Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde came in together, both of them looking unhappy. “Your Majesty…” Zhang Fuan’s voice was a little weak as he spoke, “There’s…something wrong.” “Speak.” Lin Xiao put down the pen. “It’s a tank!” Sun Mingde rushed to say. As the Minister of War, he’d been so anxious these past few days that his mouth was practically blistered. “I sent the first batch of ten tanks to Xishan for a long distance training run, simulating a forced march. And the result… the result was that after less than three hundred miles, seven of the ten tanks broke down!” “What’s the problem?” Lin Xiao frowned. “There are so many problems!” Zhang Fuan said with a sad face as he pulled out a booklet filled with scribbled characters from his pocket. “Some are caused by engine overheating, which directly burned the pistons; some are caused by broken drive shafts; and some are even more bizarre, the tracks just broke while running! The worst one was so bad that the frame beams were cracked…” Sun Mingde added, “Your Majesty, this is just the official roads outside the capital. If we were to reach the barren Gobi Desert in the Western Regions, our ‘Pioneering’ Division would become a ‘Scavenging Division’ before we even see the enemy, collecting only spare parts.” Lin Xiao took Zhang Fuan’s record book and looked through it carefully. He understood the problem instantly. Zhang Fuan and his team can replicate the drawings 100% and use the best materials to make parts that look exactly the same. However, they don’t understand why the parts are designed that way. I don’t understand what “metal fatigue” is, what “stress concentration” is, and what tolerance changes caused by “thermal expansion and contraction” are. For example, the track drawings only specify the size and material, but do not specify how much metal fatigue each track pin will produce after being subjected to repeated stretching and impact. For example, when it comes to the engine, they know that coolant is needed, but they are completely clueless about the layout of the cooling water channels and how to match the water pump flow rate with the engine speed. These problems may not be exposed in short, high intensity demonstrations on the range, but they become immediately apparent once deployed in a long distance, high loss combat environment. This is no longer a simple technical issue, but has risen to the level of basic scientific theory. “I understand.” Lin Xiao put down the booklet with a calm expression. Seeing that Lin Xiao remained calm, Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde’s anxious mood inexplicably calmed down a little. In their minds, there seemed to be no problem that His Majesty could not solve. “Your Majesty, then… what should we do? The day when the army sets out is not far away!” Sun Mingde said anxiously. “No rush.” Lin Xiao stood up, walked to the window, and looked into the distance. “Let the craftsmen stop first and summarize all the problems. Also, call everyone to the Institute of Gewu.” Chapter 539: Scientific Preaching In the newly built lecture hall of Mechanical Engineering and Power Engineering Academy in Gewu Academy, the atmosphere was depressing. Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, and all the top craftsmen and researchers in the Arsenal and the Academy of Sciences gathered here. They all looked dejected, their eyes focused on the remains displayed on the long table in front of the lecture hall. That’s a bunch of parts removed from a broken tank: A drive shaft that was twisted and broken in the middle, several broken track chains, a piston with burnt holes on the top, and a section of the vehicle body beam covered with fine cracks. These parts were once their masterpieces created with painstaking efforts and were the sacred objects they were proud of. Now, it is like a pile of scrap metal, silently mocking their incompetence. Zhang Fuan’s lips were chapped and his eye sockets were sunken. He had hardly slept in the past few days. He led people to dismantle and assemble the tanks, but he still couldn’t find the root cause. He couldn’t understand why every part was so fragile when it was exactly the same as the Holy Emperor’s drawings and was made of the best alloy steel? Sun Mingde paced back and forth anxiously like a tiger trapped in a cage. With every day of delay, the pressure on the Western Region front increased, and his anger grew. Just then, the light at the lecture hall door dimmed and Lin Xiao walked in. He was not wearing a dragon robe, but only a casual outfit that was convenient for him to move around in. He had a calm expression and his eyes swept calmly over the crowd, finally landing on the pile of scrap parts. “Did you see it?” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone. Zhang Fuan fell to his knees with a thud, his voice filled with tears: “Your Majesty, I…I am incompetent! I have failed your Majesty’s trust. Please punish me!” As soon as he knelt, a large group of people knelt down behind him, with shame and fear on everyone’s face. “Get up.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm. “I called you here not to listen to your apologies, but to teach you a lesson.” Attend class? Everyone looked at each other in astonishment. Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde were also stunned. Lin Xiao ignored their reactions, walked straight to a huge blackboard, and picked up a piece of chalk. “Zhang Fuan, tell me why this drive shaft broke?” “I…I don’t know.” Zhang Fuan lowered his head in shame. “I have checked. The materials and dimensions are all top notch. There is absolutely no cutting corners.” Lin Xiao nodded and picked up another intact piece of wire. He waved to a young craftsman in the audience, “Come up.” The craftsman walked onto the stage tremblingly. “Break it.” Lin Xiao handed him the wire. The craftsman was stunned, then bent the wire with force. The wire bent but did not break. “continue.” The craftsman had no choice but to bend the wire back and forth repeatedly. Once, twice, ten times… After bending it more than ten times, there was a crisp “snap” sound, and the wire broke at the bend. “Do you understand?” Lin Xiao asked Zhang Fuan. Zhang Fuan looked at the broken wire, thinking about something, but his eyes were still confused. “Your Majesty, are you saying that this drive shaft, like this wire, was… broken?” “Yes, and no.” Lin Xiao wrote four big words on the blackboard: Metal fatigue. “Your eyes can see damage from knives and axes, but not this kind of damage.” Lin Xiao drew a diagram on the blackboard with chalk. “Every twist and every vibration will leave tiny cracks inside the metal that are invisible to your naked eyes.” “These small cracks are like ants gnawing at a dam. Once or twice is not a big deal, but after thousands or millions of times, they will gather together and eventually make even the strongest steel as fragile as tofu.” He paused and raised his voice a little: “You only know how to follow the blueprint, but you don’t know why we use rounded corners instead of sharp right angles. Because sharp corners are where these cracks like to gather! This is called stress concentration!” With a loud “boom”, it was as if thunder exploded in the heads of Zhang Fuan and all the craftsmen present. Metal fatigue? Stress concentration? These unheard of words, like a key, instantly opened a door they had never imagined. It turns out that steel also has a lifespan and can also become fatigued! It turns out that a simple rounded corner actually contains such profound truths! Zhang Fuan was shaking with excitement. He looked at the broken drive shaft, then at the diagram on the blackboard, his eyes flashing with fanaticism. He understood, he finally understood! “And this.” Lin Xiao pointed at the burned piston. “Why does the engine overheat? You only know to use water to cool it down, but you don’t know that the effect of fast and slow water flow is very different.” “Whether the pipe is thick or thin, and whether the bends are sharp or gentle, all affect the cooling efficiency. This is called thermodynamics and fluid mechanics!” “As for the tracks…” Lin Xiao picked up a broken section of track, “You only know the shape, not the principle. Track pins must not only be hard, but also tough. The quenching process is such that even a slight error can lead to a huge mistake.” “It’s impossible for one material to be perfect for all situations. Therefore, we need different materials for different applications. This is called materials science!” In one class, Lin Xiao used the most straightforward and vivid examples to force the basic theories of modern industrial design, from physics to chemistry, from mechanics to thermodynamics, into the minds of these top ancient craftsmen. The entire lecture hall was silent, with only the rustling sound of chalk scratching across the blackboard and the heavy breathing of the craftsmen. Sun Mingde stood aside, his expression changing from impatience at first, to shock and astonishment in the middle, and finally to awe and respect. The victory or defeat of a war is not only decided on the battlefield, but also in this small classroom. Every time Your Majesty explains and every time you write, you are forging an indestructible sword for the Hua Dynasty’s army. “Your Majesty…” A brave old craftsman, who was in charge of casting the carriage frame, raised his hand tremblingly. “Then…the cracks on the beams, are they also caused by fatigue?” The question was a bit funny, causing everyone to laugh and easing the tense atmosphere a lot. “Good question.” Lin Xiao nodded approvingly. “You can understand it this way. Not only does it get tired, it’s also afraid of vibrations. So, we need to equip it with something that can absorb vibrations, just like a person wearing a soft shoe with a thick sole. This is called shock absorption.” At the end of his speech, Lin Xiao threw away the chalk and looked around at the faces that were either excited, confused, or fanatical. “The blueprints only tell you what to do. What I’m teaching you today is to help you understand why you’re doing it.” “From today on, the Institute of Physical Science will establish three new departments: Materials Science, Engineering Mechanics, and Thermal Power. Zhang Fuan, you will concurrently serve as the director of all three departments.” “I don’t want you to copy blueprints anymore. I want you to use these theories as a foundation to analyze and solve problems. Ultimately, go beyond the blueprints! Create for me a true king of the land, one that won’t tire or get a heat stroke, and can run faster than a horse!” Chapter 540: Pioneer Type 1 Modified As soon as Lin Xiao finished speaking, Zhang Fuan knelt on the ground again. This time, he did not cry, but kowtowed three times. “Your Majesty, I obey your command! We, your servants, will live up to your Majesty’s trust and rebuild the world!” Behind him, all the craftsmen and researchers knelt down in unison, their eyes no longer filled with fear, but with a ignited, burning flame of thirst for knowledge and passion for creation. They knew that from today on, they were no longer simple craftsmen. They are the pioneers of Chinese science and industry. Since the earth shaking scientific sermon at the Gewu Academy, the atmosphere of the entire Beijing Suburban Arsenal and the Gewu Academy has been completely renewed. In the past, craftsmen pursued craftsmanship, experience, and word of mouth transmission between master and apprentice. Now, blackboards, chalks, notebooks and all kinds of strange measuring tools have become their new treasures. In the secret tank workshop, there is no longer hard work with clanging sounds, but heated debates. “No! The connection of this drive shaft is still a right angle, the stress is too concentrated! It must be changed to a large arc transition!” “Old Qian, the quenching temperature of your track pin is half a degree too high. It’s hard enough, but not tough enough. It’ll still break when running! Send it for metallographic analysis!” “There’s a problem with the pump’s impeller design; the flow rate isn’t increasing! I suggest switching to a centrifugal type. Look, it’s like the diagram Your Majesty drew…” Zhang Fuan was like a madman who had been injected with chicken blood. He led a group of equally crazy students to dismantle the Pioneer I tank into pieces, starting from every screw, and analyzed and tested it using the scientific methods taught by Lin Xiao. They built a simple tensile test bench and used a winch and weights to pull steel bars processed with different processes until they broke. Then they used the high power magnifying glass provided by Lin Xiao to observe the fracture and record every piece of data. They built a special test bench and let the internal combustion engine roar continuously for dozens of hours. A dedicated person recorded the temperature, speed and vibration every incense stick until the engine broke down. Failures were common and small explosions occurred from time to time, but no one backed down. Because for every failure, they can find the cause based on theory, and for every improvement, they can see real progress in the data. They are no longer confused imitators, but confident creators. The feeling of holding the truth in their own hands makes them more obsessed than any reward. A month later. The field training ground in Xishan, outside Beijing, was filled with dust. Ten brand new tanks were parked quietly at the starting point. Their appearance is not much different from before, but if you look closely, you can find that the tracks are wider and thicker, there are several more thick spring structures between the road wheels, and the welds at the joints of the vehicle body are more rounded and smooth. They were named “Pioneer Type 1 Modified”. Sun Mingde stood on a high slope, holding the telescope tightly in his hand, his palms full of sweat. Beside him, Lin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, his expression as calm as ever. “Set off!” As the command flag was waved, ten internal combustion engines roared dully and powerfully at the same time, the tracks turned, stirring up a cloud of dust, and rushed towards the rugged mountain road. This time’s test route is ten times more rigorous than the last time. There are not only flat official roads, but also more steep slopes, muddy swamps and gravel covered riverbeds. Sun Mingde’s heart was in his throat. He watched helplessly as the tanks rushed up a steep slope of more than 30 degrees, watched them roll through knee deep mud, and watched them dive down from a half man high earthen ridge, stirring up huge clouds of dust. Time passes by little by little. One hour, two hours… Three hundred miles, five hundred miles… Sun Mingde never took his telescope off his eyes. He saw that there was a flag representing the engine temperature on the turret of each tank, and from beginning to end, the flag was flying steadily in the green area representing safety. Eight hundred miles! When the last tank roared across the finish line and stopped steadily at the designated location, the entire training ground was first dead silent, and then erupted into thunderous cheers! Success! After completing the entire race, not a single vehicle broke down, not a single track broke, and not a single engine overheated! “Success! Your Majesty! We succeeded!” Sun Mingde threw away the telescope and was as excited as a child. He even wanted to rush up and hug Lin Xiao, but he restrained himself in the end. He just blushed and shouted incoherently. The tank drivers and craftsmen jumped out of the vehicles, hugged each other, laughed and shouted, and some even cried for joy, kneeling on the ground and kissing the land beneath them that had been crushed by the tanks. A smile finally appeared on Lin Xiao’s face. This is the army he wants, this is the industry he wants. However, just as everyone was immersed in great joy, an officer from the Intelligence Department rushed over on a fast horse with an anxious look on his face. “Your Majesty! Urgent news from the Western Regions!” The cheers stopped abruptly. The official dismounted and presented an encrypted report from the Karamay Oilfield. Lin Xiao unfolded his report, the smile on his face slowly faded, and his brows furrowed slightly. Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde beside him felt nervous when they saw this and came over. The report was written by Lu Jin himself. The content was simple: the oil field’s reserves were enormous, far exceeding expectations. This was great news. But then a fatal problem arose: refining. They used the most primitive distillation pots, refining it day and night, but the output efficiency was extremely low. After a pot of black crude oil is poured in, a lot of kerosene and heavy oil can be used, but the most critical essential oil that can drive the internal combustion engine, that is, gasoline, has a pitifully small output. What’s even worse is that the quality of gasoline refined by these crude methods is extremely unstable, with high impurity and sulfur content, which is extremely harmful to sophisticated and complex internal combustion engines. Several internal combustion engines used for pumping and transporting oil have already been scrapped prematurely because they used low quality gasoline. Lu Jin wrote in a heavy tone at the end of the report: Your Majesty, with the current refining capacity, we are already struggling to even maintain the operation of the oil fields themselves, let alone support the armored division’s westward expedition. If we don’t have a good plan, even though we have a mountain of oil, we will be begging for food with a golden bowl in our hands… The report was not long, but every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of everyone who had just been excited. The joy on Sun Mingde’s face instantly faded and turned ashen. He suddenly realized that what was the difference between a tank unit without fuel and a pile of scrap metal? Zhang Fuan was also dumbfounded. He could build the most sophisticated engine in the world, but he couldn’t make the food to feed it. This feeling of powerlessness is even more despairing than when facing technical difficulties before. The training ground, which had been bustling just now, fell into silence again. Only the engines of the Pioneer I types were still rumbling softly. Chapter 541 Modern Petroleum Late that night, in the imperial palace, in the imperial study. Lin Xiao sat alone on the dragon throne with the report from the Western Regions spread out in front of him. The joy of the successful tank test run during the day was gone at this moment. He knew that this was another hurdle that would inevitably be encountered on the road to industrialization. The engine is the heart and the fuel is the blood. The heart of this steel behemoth of the Hua Dynasty is already strong and powerful, but there is a big problem with its blood supply. He raised his head and looked at the huge world map on the wall with a deep gaze. The date of the Western Expedition cannot be delayed any longer, otherwise the Shahman Empire will only be more fully prepared. We must find a way to make a leap forward in oil refining technology within a short period of time. He stood up, pushed open the door of the imperial study, and walked into the imperial garden late at night. The night is as cool as water and the moonlight is like frost. Under the pavilion in the garden, a slender figure was sitting there quietly, as if she had been waiting for a long time. It’s Liu Ruyan. She was wearing a thin cloak, and on the stone table in front of her, a pot of hot tea was emitting curls of white steam. Hearing footsteps, Liu Ruyan turned around and saw that it was Lin Xiao. A gentle smile appeared on her cold face. She stood up and bowed gracefully: “Your Majesty.” “It’s so late, why aren’t you sleeping yet?” Lin Xiao walked over and sat down next to her. “I saw that the lights in the Imperial Study were still on, and I assumed Your Majesty was worried about state affairs again, so I made some soothing tea and am waiting here.” Liu Ruyan’s voice was soft and gentle. She didn’t ask anything about state affairs, but silently filled a cup of tea for Lin Xiao and handed it to him. The tea fragrance is elegant and refreshing. Lin Xiao picked up the teacup and looked at the gentle woman in front of him. His mood gradually calmed down and turned into a warm current. He conquered the world, and this woman easily soothed his heart with a pot of tea. “I did encounter some difficulties.” For the first time, Lin Xiao did not reassure her by saying “I have solved it” as usual, but chose to share a little of his feelings. “Those armored beasts, though built, became nothing more than a pile of scrap metal due to a lack of rations.” A hint of just the right amount of concern flashed through Liu Ruyan’s beautiful eyes. “So…what about now?” Lin Xiao looked at her and smiled slightly. That smile contained the confidence of being in control of everything and a rare sense of ease. “I’m still thinking of a solution.” He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and looked up at the night sky. Liu Ruyan looked at the man in front of her. Sometimes he was a cold emperor who controlled the country, sometimes he was a father of science who taught miracles, and at this moment, he was a husband who was willing to share his thoughts with her late at night. Liu Ruyan’s heart completely melted. A wave of love and heartache from the bottom of her heart enveloped her heart. She stretched out her soft hand and gently placed it on the back of Lin Xiao’s hand on the stone table. She said softly, “Your Majesty has spent too much energy on the people of the world. You must take care of your health.” Lin Xiao held her slightly cold little hand in his backhand, and his heart felt peaceful. [Ding! Liu Ruyan’s favorability increased by +8, currently at 100 (absolutely devoted)!] [Ding! One lucky draw opportunity is obtained] Hearing the prompt tone, Lin Tian was overjoyed. He closed his eyes and immersed his mind. “System, start the lottery.” In the dark space of consciousness, the familiar system interface slowly emerged and the huge wheel began to spin. This time, Lin Xiao’s heart was filled with unprecedented anticipation and determination. He needed a miracle. The rotation of the system roulette is more dazzling than ever before. Lin Xiao’s mind was more focused than ever before. The light suddenly dimmed and the roulette wheel stopped. A line of words composed of pure golden energy slowly appeared before his eyes. Complete Book of Modern Petrochemical and Catalytic Cracking Technology Done! Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly contracted, and an indescribable ecstasy, like a flood bursting through a dam, instantly washed away all his calmness and restraint. This was not just what he wanted, it was beyond even his wildest imagination! He originally thought that the system would at most provide him with a normal pressure and reduced pressure distillation technology, and that he would be lucky if it could solve the gasoline production problem. But he never expected that the system would directly provide the cornerstone of modern petrochemical industry in one step! catalytic cracking! A huge torrent of knowledge, like a rushing galaxy, poured madly into his brain. This time, the knowledge infusion is larger and more complex than any previous time. From the precise structural diagrams of atmospheric and vacuum distillation towers tens of meters high, to the dynamic simulation of how the catalyst particles inside the fluidized bed reactor churn like boiling water. From the microscopic crystal structure of molecular sieve catalysts (zeolites) to the chemical principles of how precious metals such as platinum and rhenium cleverly change their molecular form during reforming reactions. From how to break down heavy, almost useless residual oil into high value gasoline and diesel, to how to precisely control the reaction to obtain ethylene and propylene, the industrial bread and butter of synthetic rubber and plastics… Countless complex chemical formulas, engineering drawings, process flow charts, and data models intertwined, collided, and merged in his mind, eventually constructing a modern petrochemical industrial palace that was so magnificent that it was terrifying. Lin Xiao closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly on the dragon chair. It was not pain, but extreme comfort. He saw that on the wasteland of Karamay, huge silver white steel towers rose from the ground, like giants guarding the empire. He saw the black crude oil being swallowed into the giant tower, and after layers of separation and miraculous chemical transformation, it turned into clear gasoline, pure diesel, and precious aviation kerosene. He saw that his tank group no longer had to worry about fuel and could travel thousands of miles. His future airplane will be able to soar into the sky. His industry will completely break away from its dependence on plant and animal fats and enter a new era dominated by polymer materials! This is no longer just solving a problem, it is unlocking a whole new technology tree for the future of the entire Hua Dynasty! After a long time, Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath. The extreme mental excitement made him a little tired, but the light in his eyes was surprisingly bright. The next day, it was still dark. Lin Xiao urgently summoned Zhang Fuan, Sun Mingde, and all the key personnel of the Chemistry Department of the Institute of Physical Science and the newly established Department of Materials Science. The location is still that big lecture hall. When everyone arrived sleepily, they found that the blackboard in the center of the lecture hall had been covered by a huge curtain. Lin Xiao had been waiting there for a long time. “Your Majesty, you summoned us so early, but…but about the fuel…” Zhang Fuan asked cautiously. Lin Xiao did not answer, but walked up to the podium and pulled down the curtain. boom! It was as if a TNT bomb had been thrown into everyone’s brain. Chapter 542 The Imperial Family On the blackboard, there was no longer the tank or internal combustion engine they were familiar with, but a picture that they would never forget. It was a giant steel tower made up of countless pipes, valves, and containers. The complexity and precision of its structure made the most exquisite nine story pagoda look like a child’s toy in front of it. From bottom to top, the giant tower had dozens of different exits, each marked with symbols and words they couldn’t understand. “What…what is this?” a chemistry researcher asked in a trembling voice. He felt that his cognition was being completely overturned. Lin Xiao picked up the chalk and wrote three words on the top of the giant tower: “Oil refinery tower.” He turned around and faced a group of stunned faces. His voice was flat but carried the power of a god. “Yesterday, you were still worrying about how to extract an extra ounce of gasoline from crude oil.” “Today, I will teach you how to squeeze every last drop of crude oil and increase its value tenfold, even a hundredfold!” “From today on, you must forget about the still. Your goal is this!” He banged the chalk against the majestic refinery tower. “I call this process fractional distillation. And this is only the first step. Next, I will teach you the true alchemy catalytic cracking!” Zhang Fuan and Sun Mingde have become completely numb. They just stared blankly at the steel behemoth on the blueprint, with only one thought in their minds: The Holy Emperor has once again brought down a miracle. As for the researchers in the chemistry department, they were like the most devout believers who had seen divine revelation. They were trembling all over. Some of them took out their small notebooks, knelt on the ground and began to copy the drawings on the blackboard, for fear of missing any details. Lin Xiao looked at their reactions and nodded with satisfaction. He walked to the door of the lecture hall and ordered Song Qinghe, the chief minister of the cabinet, behind him: “Pass on my decree to establish the Huachao Xihai Petrochemical Base in Karamay, Western Regions. Craftsmen and resources will be mobilized from across the country. No matter the cost, the first oil refinery must be erected before the Western Expedition Army departs!” “Not only will I fill the chariots of the empire with gold, but I will also use this black gold to build a glorious industrial future for the Chinese Dynasty that will last for a hundred years!” night. The back garden of the palace was filled with laughter and joy. A few half grown children were having a lot of fun playing with a pile of strange wooden toys. They were a few small wooden cars. As long as the spring at the back was tightened, they could run a long way by themselves. There is also a wooden bird that flaps its wings when it is strung up, as if it is ready to fly away at any time. These were all made by Lin Xiao in his spare time using his god level carpenter skills. “Father, look, my car runs the fastest!” Lin Rui walked with his short legs, chasing his clockwork car with a proud look on his face, his little face flushed red. He is Yan Ruotong’s son. He inherited his mother’s calmness in his eyes and eyebrows, but at this moment, his childish nature is fully revealed. “No, my little bird is about to fly!” Lin Xin pouted unconvinced. She is Yan Ruoxi’s daughter, lively in nature, with a pair of big eyes rolling around, full of spirit. The twin sisters Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi sat on Lin Xiao’s left and right. They wore palace dresses of similar styles but different colors. One was gentle as water, and the other was bright as fire, forming a beautiful scenery. Yan Ruotong was carefully peeling a grape for Lin Xiao, her fingertips were crystal clear and her movements were gentle. She looked at the children chasing and playing, her eyes full of maternal radiance, and said softly to Lin Xiao: “Husband, the children are getting older. They like these little toys you make so much that they even neglect their homework.” Although she said that, there was no blame in her tone, only the sweetness of being a wife and a mother. “Playing is also homework. It’s better to let them use their brains more than just studying.” Lin Xiao took the grapes with a smile and took Yan Rutong’s hand. Yan Ruoxi leaned on Lin Xiao’s shoulder and chuckled, “My husband is really fair. He made a car for my brother and a bird for my sister. But now there are so many children. I’m afraid even your magical skills won’t be enough to handle them all.” As she spoke, she winked playfully, her eyes moving between Lin Xiao and her sister with a hint of mischief. Lin Xiao laughed heartily, reached out and took her into his arms, enjoying the blessing of having two wives. Not far away, Agula, dressed in tight clothes, was sweating profusely on the training ground. The spear in her hand was an alloy spear tailor made for her by the arsenal, and the tip of the spear flashed a terrifying cold light under the light. The gun shot out like a dragon, with great force and momentum. The air was torn apart, making bursts of explosions. If an ordinary general were here, he would probably not be able to withstand even one of her attacks. Since giving birth to Lin Tuo, her figure has not only not changed, but because her energy and blood are more abundant, she has a touch of the plump charm of a mature woman, adding to her charm. However, although her shooting skills were fierce, her eyes would occasionally drift towards the cradle not far away. Kobayashi Taku was sleeping quietly, watched over carefully by a specially assigned palace maid. After finishing a round of shooting practice, Agula put away his gun and stood up, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. She walked to the cradle and looked at her son’s pink little face. Her eyes instantly changed from the sharpness of a grassland female general to the tenderness of a mother. Lin Xiao walked over and handed over a warm towel. Agula took it naturally, wiped the sweat off his face, but his eyes were still fixed on the direction of the distant Western Regions. He asked, “When do we set off?” Her voice was a little hoarse and contained a hint of suppressed desire. “It’s almost there.” Lin Xiao looked at her and knew that this wild horse from the grassland was feeling a little suffocated after being locked in the golden cage of the imperial palace. “I want to go.” Agula’s eyes were direct, without any concealment. “I know how to deal with Timur’s cavalry. It’s time to go to the grasslands and see some blood.” “You are now the imperial concubine and Lin Tuo’s mother, not the female general who charged into battle.” Lin Xiao’s tone was very flat. Agula’s eyes dimmed, his lips moved, but he didn’t say anything in the end. She knew that no one could change Lin Xiao’s decision. She just wasn’t willing to accept that her martial arts skills could only be displayed within this square courtyard wall. Lin Xiao noticed her disappointment and reached out to hold her in his arms, whispering in her ear, “Don’t worry, when I conquer the Western Regions, I will build the largest racecourse for you. By then, the entire grassland will be yours, and you can do whatever you want.” Agula’s body trembled slightly, and he leaned on Lin Xiao’s solid chest. The resentment in his heart slowly turned into tenderness. This man could always easily grasp her thoughts. Chapter 543 Another Problem Deep in the bedroom, Liu Weilan was reading with several children under the lamp. Although she is now a noble concubine, her prestige in the harem is growing day by day, and she has the bearing of a queen. She did not take advantage of her favor to become arrogant, but instead managed the harem in an orderly manner, saving Lin Xiao countless troubles. What she taught was not the Four Books and Five Classics, but the introductory textbooks “Mathematics” and “The Study of Things” written by Lin Xiao himself. Seeing Lin Xiao come in, she stood up and saluted, with a hint of intellectual tenderness between her eyebrows. “His Majesty.” “Thank you for your hard work.” Lin Xiao looked at the children who were concentrating on their studies and felt very satisfied. The future of the empire requires not only capable and skilled generals, but also successors who understand science and truth. “This is my duty.” Liu Weilan smiled faintly. “However, some of the descriptions of astronomy and geography in the books sent by the Western Learning Compilation Institute are very different from our ancient understanding. I am not very knowledgeable and don’t know how to teach the children.” “Then tell them that the earth beneath our feet is a rotating sphere. The moon in the sky is also rotating around us.” Lin Xiao said casually. A hint of shock flashed across Liu Weilan’s beautiful eyes, but then turned into understanding. She had long been accustomed to the shocking oracles uttered by Lin Xiao, and believed them without a doubt. “I understand.” She nodded, looking at Lin Xiao with eyes full of admiration and love. This man not only conquered her body, but also completely conquered her heart with his unfathomable wisdom. In the corner, Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter from Japan, were kneeling and quietly adding tea for everyone. There was no resentment in their eyes, only awe. Having witnessed the rapid changes in Huachao with their own eyes, they have long understood how small and ridiculous their former country is in front of Lin Xiao. Being able to become a servant of this god like emperor may be the greatest gift from God. In this warmth and tranquility, a eunuch walked in hurriedly with a serious expression. “Your Majesty, Minister Sun and Minister Zhang are urgently requesting an audience outside the palace.” Lin Xiao raised his brows slightly. Something big must have happened if these two important officials wanted to see him so late at night. He patted Liu Weilan’s hand soothingly, turned and walked out of the bedroom. The warm atmosphere in the back garden was instantly replaced by a solemn and murderous atmosphere. In the imperial study, Sun Mingde and Zhang Fuan were anxious, like ants on a hot pan. “Tell me, what’s the matter?” Lin Xiao sat on the dragon throne, his expression returning to its calm state. Sun Mingde stepped forward and said in a hoarse voice, “Your Majesty, the oil refinery in the Western Regions… is complete! According to the blueprint you provided, the refinery tower has already begun producing fuel, and the output… the output is astonishing!” “This is a good thing, why are you so panicked?” Lin Xiao asked. Zhang Fuan took over the conversation with a bitter face: “Your Majesty, the oil is out, the tanks are built, and the army is assembled…but, but this oil can’t be transported!” He spread out a huge map on which were marked with red lines the long route from Karamay in the Western Regions to the army assembly point and then to the front line of the Western Expedition. “Your Majesty, please look! From Karamay to the front line, it’s thousands of miles away. Our railway only reaches the heart of the Central Plains. The rest of the way is all Gobi and desert!” “We’ve calculated that even if we requisitioned all the horse drawn carriages in the country and kept them there day and night, we still wouldn’t be able to keep up with the army’s consumption. Not to mention, horses pulling oil tanks are too slow. In the vast Gobi Desert, they would be perfect targets for the Shaman cavalry!” Sun Mingde added, “I’ve considered organizing civilians to carry and pull the horses, but we don’t have enough time, and the losses would be too great. We…we have supernatural powers, but we find our hands and feet are tied and we can’t use them!” The imperial study fell into dead silence. An unprecedented problem is placed before everyone. The industrial giant has awakened. It has a strong heart and surging blood, but the blood vessels connecting the heart to the whole body are fragile and vulnerable. Logistics, the nightmare that has plagued all expeditionary forces since ancient times, has returned in a brand new, industrial age form. The atmosphere in the imperial study was so oppressive that it was suffocating. On the huge sand table, the terrain of the Western Regions is clearly visible. Sun Mingde’s finger drew a long arc on the sand table, extending from the Karamay Oilfield in the west to the assembly area in the east. That supply line stretched across the territory of the Hua Dynasty. “Your Majesty, this road is too long.” There was a sense of powerlessness in Sun Mingde’s voice. “That old fox Timur is trying to fortify his defenses and clear the countryside, leaving no grass growing within a 300 mile radius. Once our tank divisions penetrate deep into the enemy’s territory and run out of fuel, they’ll be nothing but a pile of iron coffins. I considered using the Flying Birds to transport them by air, but they can’t carry much at a time, so it’s a drop in the bucket.” Several generals who were summoned also spoke up, and the plans they proposed were nothing more than forming a large camel caravan or conscripting a million laborers to build roads while advancing. But these plans were rejected one by one by themselves. Too slow, too clumsy, and too fragile. The 300,000 cavalry of the Shaman Empire were like vultures circling over the Gobi Desert, ready to swoop down at any time and tear apart this huge and bloated supply team. “Could it be… Is our conquest going to be dragged down by this mere logistics?” A young general pounded the table unwillingly. Everyone was silent. They were accustomed to using miraculous weapons and tactics to defeat the enemy with ease under the leadership of His Majesty the Emperor. But this time, the enemy was not the Samanids, but the distance and the vast and desolate Gobi Desert. Lin Xiao didn’t say anything. He just listened quietly, his eyes moving back and forth between the map and the sand table. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrests of the dragon throne, making a rhythmic sound. Every knock seemed to strike at everyone’s heart. Finally, he stood up. Everyone’s eyes instantly focused on him, full of expectation and trust. They believed that their Holy Emperor would have a solution. Lin Xiao walked to the huge blackboard on the side of the imperial study. This blackboard had witnessed the birth of too many miracles. Everyone thought that His Majesty was going to draw some earth shattering new weapon. However, when Lin Xiao picked up the chalk, the first stroke he drew was just a straight horizontal line. “This is Karamay.” He wrote three words on the left end of the line. “This is the front line.” He wrote three more words on the right end of the line. Then, he used chalk to connect the two points with a thick straight line. “Since the carriages are too slow and the camels are too few, let the oil flow by itself.” Lin Xiao’s voice was very soft, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone’s mind. The oil…flows over by itself? What does this mean? Do we have to dig a river thousands of miles long and pour the oil into it? How long would it take for the oil to flow? Zhang Fuan’s mind was working the fastest. He looked at the straight line, his mouth slowly opened, and an incredible thought came to his mind. Chapter 544: Blood of Steel “Your Majesty… Your Majesty means… to repair a pipe?” he asked stutteringly. “That’s right.” Lin Xiao gave him an approving look. “An iron pipe, laid from the oil field all the way to the front line. We call it a pipeline.” “Along the pipeline, there is a pumping station at regular intervals. Just like our heart, it provides pressure to the oil in the pipeline, allowing it to flow forward continuously.” As Lin Xiao spoke, he drew a simple structural diagram of the pumping station and the working principle of the piston pump on the blackboard. The entire imperial study was in complete silence. Everyone was shocked by the idea. A steel pipeline thousands of miles long, spanning the Gobi Desert and mountains, is like a steel bloodline, transporting the empire’s industrial blood directly to the front lines of the war. What a grand, crazy, and… genius idea! Sun Mingde’s breathing became rapid. He seemed to have seen that in the huge oil storage tanks on the front line, clear gasoline was gushing out. His tank group no longer had to worry about anything. “Miracle! This is another miracle!” An old veteran was so excited that his whole body was shaking and his eyes were red. However, Lin Xiao’s “miracle” has not yet ended. He erased the drawing of the pumping station and drew something entirely new. It was a steel structure with four wheels, a cab, and a huge cargo box at the back. “The pipeline solves the strategic transportation problem from the oil fields to the frontline base camp.” Lin Xiao pointed to the new blueprint on the blackboard. “But from the base camp to every tank and every position, we need a more flexible and faster means of transportation.” “The carriages are too slow and eat up grass. My army should not be held back by these things any longer.” “I named it Truck. You can call it Iron Camel.” “It feeds on diesel fuel and never needs to rest. It’s dozens of times more powerful than an ox or a horse, and several times faster than a horse drawn carriage. One truck can fuel an entire platoon of tanks in one go. With it, our armored divisions can truly move at lightning speed across the battlefield, achieving thousand mile raids.” If we say that the pipeline plan just now gave everyone hope of victory. At this moment, the trucks showed them a completely new form of warfare. The logistics troops are no longer a burden that follows the main force and moves forward slowly. Instead, it is a steel torrent that also has high speed maneuverability and can keep pace with the main force. This means that the Hua Dynasty’s army will completely break free from the constraints of the earth and become a truly modern army. In the imperial study, the oppressive atmosphere was swept away, replaced by a frenzy like a volcanic eruption. “Your Majesty is wise!” “God bless the Hua Dynasty!” Everyone could no longer suppress their excitement and they all knelt on the ground, paying homage to Lin Xiao. In their eyes, Lin Xiao is no longer an ordinary person, but a true god who controls wind and thunder and recreates the universe. Lin Xiao calmly accepted everyone’s kneeling. He walked to the window, looked at the bright moon in the sky, and felt very proud. The pipes are the arteries and the trucks are the capillaries. When this complete set of steel bloodline spreads throughout the entire empire, the industrial giant of Hua Dynasty will truly awaken. He turned around and issued a series of orders. “Pass on my decree. Order Zhang Fuan to immediately establish the General Administration of Automobile Manufacturing. I want to see the first prototype roll off the production line within a month!” “Order Sun Mingde to extract the most elite engineers from the Qinglin Army to form a pipeline engineering corps, commanded by Wang Jian. I give you two months to build this iron vein across the Western Regions!” “Order the cabinet to mobilize all production capacity at steel mills nationwide, prioritizing pipeline and truck production. Money, food, and labor, no matter the cost!” “I want to let the Shaman Empire know that in the face of the iron torrent of the Hua Dynasty, their proud cavalry is nothing but a joke!” Throughout the Hua Dynasty, this war machine built by Lin Xiao himself began to run frantically again with unimaginable efficiency. Hua Chao entered a strange state of excitement. In Karamay in the far western regions, the sun is scorching hot on the Gobi Desert. Tens of thousands of workers and soldiers, led by Wang Jian, who had just been promoted to commander in chief of the Pipeline Engineering Corps, were shouting earth shaking slogans. Sections of heavy steel pipes were laid along a long planned route, and the newly invented mobile steam welding machine spewed blue arcs, connecting them firmly together. The prototype of a giant steel dragon is extending towards the east at a speed visible to the naked eye. Thousands of miles away, in an industrial zone outside Beijing, a brand new factory rose from the ground. On the huge signboard, the words “Royal First Automobile Manufacturing Plant” shone brightly in the sun. The entire workshop was filled with the sounds of hammering, cutting, and the roar of lathes driven by steam engines. However, the road to creation is never smooth. The first batch of truck prototypes rolled off the production line broke down after running less than 50 miles at the Xishan test site. Some drive shafts were twisted into a knot, some suspension steel plates broke under the weight, and some almost flipped over when turning a corner due to unreasonable design. When the news reached Zhang Fuan, he was so anxious that his mouth was full of blisters. He brought a group of researchers from the Institute of Physical Science and Technology and surrounded several scrapped prototype cars with worried looks on their faces. Just when everyone was at a loss, Lin Xiao arrived. He didn’t blame anyone, but just walked around the prototype car, bending down from time to time to knock on it. “Your Majesty, we are incompetent and have failed to live up to your grace.” Zhang Fuan lowered his head in shame. “This isn’t your fault.” Lin Xiao patted his shoulder. “You just copied the blueprints, but didn’t understand the principles behind them.” He pointed at the broken suspension steel plate and said, “You only know how to use the best spring steel, but you don’t know that the steel plate can’t be just one piece. It needs to be stacked together to ensure strength while having sufficient toughness. This is called leaf spring shock absorption.” He walked to the front of the car and pointed at the steering mechanism: “The wheels are not vertical. They need to have a certain inclination angle so that they can automatically return to the center when turning and the car will not drift.” He picked up a piece of chalk from the ground and drew several key angle diagrams of the front wheel alignment on the oil stained cement floor, and explained in an easy to understand manner the principles of kingpin inclination and castor. A group of top craftsmen and researchers knelt on the ground like elementary school students, surrounding the simple sketches, listening with fascination. For the first time, they understood that building a car is not as simple as putting parts together, but involves such profound mechanical knowledge. A young researcher in charge of gearbox design plucked up the courage and took a drawing full of crosses to ask Lin Xiao for advice. His design is always unable to ensure smooth gear shifting while transmitting huge torque. Lin Xiao took only one glance and pointed out the core of the problem: “Your gears are straight. Change them to beveled. The contact area will be larger, the transmission will be smoother, and the noise will be smaller. Also, add a synchronizer between the gears…” Lin Xiao opened a whole new door for him with just a few words. The young researcher stood there in a daze, then a fanatical light flashed in his eyes. He bowed deeply to Lin Xiao, turned around and rushed back to the laboratory. Chapter 545: Iron Torrent, Expedition With the personal guidance of His Majesty the Holy Emperor, the research and development progress of the automobile factory has advanced by leaps and bounds. A week later, the improved Iron Camels rolled off the production line again. This time, they ran a full 500 miles on the test field. Apart from a few tire blowouts, there were no major failures. Thunderous cheers erupted in the industrial areas outside Beijing. Pipelines are being extended and trucks are being mass produced, and the logistical support for the westward expedition army is now foolproof. Hua Dynasty, the third year of Kaiyuan, autumn. Western Front. A majestic fortress was firmly wedged by Lin Xiao at the westernmost end of the Hua Dynasty’s territory. This is Zhenxi Pass. Now, it has become the heart of the entire empire’s war machine, beating violently with unprecedented power. Outside the Great Wall, on the endless plain, an unprecedented army is gathering. There were no flags blocking the sky, no war horses neighing. In its place is a forest of steel and the roar of internal combustion engines. One hundred Pioneer I modified tanks, all painted in khaki camouflage, formed ten neat square formations, with their guns proudly pointing to the west. In the sunlight, the tracks and armor reflected a cold metallic luster, like a group of dormant prehistoric beasts. Behind and on both sides of the tanks was an even larger convoy. Five hundred trucks, affectionately called Iron Camels by the soldiers, were loaded with ammunition, food, and soldiers in brand new combat uniforms. The faces of these soldiers were a mixture of tension, curiosity, and an indescribable pride. Further away, a giant steel dragon stretched out from Zhenxi Pass, crossed the sand dunes, pierced straight into the distance, and disappeared at the end of the horizon. It is an oil pipeline that runs through thousands of miles of Gobi Desert and is the lifeline of this steel army. The whole scene was silent and solemn, filled with the unique violent aesthetics of the industrial age. Sun Mingde, wearing a specially made general’s uniform, stood on the command tank of the first battalion of the “Pioneer” Division, his face flushed with excitement. The telescope in his hand was almost crushed by him. He had been a soldier for half his life, and the largest battle he had seen was only involving 100,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. But the scene before him completely overturned his understanding of war. This is no longer a war, this is a crushing defeat. A messenger came speeding in on a motorcycle, did a beautiful tailspin, and stopped beside the tank, reporting loudly: “Report to the commander in chief, His Majesty has arrived in person! He has arrived at the gate tower!” Sun Mingde’s body shook violently, and he immediately straightened his clothes, jumped off the tank nimbly, and ran towards the distant gate tower. On the top of the gate tower, Lin Xiao, dressed in a black uniform, stood leaning against the railing. He did not bring any ceremonial guards, and was accompanied by only a few people including Song Qinghe and Zhang Fuan. His gaze swept calmly over the army that belonged to him below, his eyes deep and calm. “Your Majesty, I am Sun Mingde, the humble general, and I kowtow to Your Majesty!” Sun Mingde ran downstairs, knelt on one knee, and his voice was like a bell. “Get up.” Lin Xiao’s voice was not loud, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly. “Are you soldiers ready?” “Your Majesty! The First Armored Division is fully staffed! The vehicles are full of fuel and ammunition! We are ready to go at any time!” Sun Mingde stood up, straightened his back, and his words were filled with uncontrollable excitement. Lin Xiao nodded, said nothing more, turned around and walked down the gatehouse. He did not make any passionate speeches, but walked into the steel forest accompanied by Sun Mingde and a group of generals. He walked up to a tank where the driver and gunner were nervously conducting their final checks. Seeing the Holy Emperor in person, the two were so frightened that they almost jumped up from their seats and tried to salute in a panic. “No need to be so polite.” Lin Xiao waved his hand. He reached out and knocked on the thick armor, then looked inside the car. “Are you nervous?” The young driver’s face flushed crimson as he stammered, “A little… a little nervous, Your Majesty. This piece of metal is so strong, I’m afraid… afraid I won’t be able to control it well.” “It’s not a lump of iron; it’s your comrade, a shield to protect you, and a sword to tear apart your enemies.” Lin Xiao’s tone was very calm, as if he was chatting with a younger neighbor. “Remember everything you learned in the training grounds. Trust your instructors, trust your machines, and most importantly, trust yourselves. Behind you is the Hua Dynasty, your parents, wives, and children. You are not going here for my achievements, but so that they can live in eternal peace.” He patted the young driver on the shoulder and said, “Go ahead and let the Saman people know that times have changed.” Lin Xiao walked and looked along the way, sometimes asking about the ratio of ammunition, sometimes checking the tires of the truck. He talked with the soldiers and discussed with the grassroots officers. He never spoke empty words and only asked the most practical questions. The originally tense and depressing atmosphere gradually became relaxed and firm after Lin Xiao’s inspection. The tension in the soldiers’ eyes turned into burning fighting spirit. They knew that the Holy Emperor was with them. At the end of the inspection, Lin Xiao boarded Sun Mingde’s command tank. He picked up the radio transmitter, and his calm voice traveled across the airwaves, echoing throughout the assembly area and into the cabs of every tank and truck. “Soldiers, I am Lin Xiao.” “I won’t lecture you on big principles. I’ll just tell you three things.” “First, if we win, every one of you will be a hero of the Hua Dynasty. For those who die in battle, their families will be supported by the state for three generations. For those who have made meritorious contributions, I will reward you generously.” “Second, behind you is the most powerful industry in the world. Your oil, your ammunition, and your food will be delivered to you continuously. There is only one thing you need to do, and that is to move forward, forward, and forward again.” “The third and most important thing is, don’t embarrass me out there. Show those people in the Western Regions who are still living in a dream what civilization and strength are.” “Set off.” No extra nonsense, just the simplest and most direct two words. “Set off!” Sun Mingde drew out his command knife and swung it forward with all his strength. Rumble—— One hundred internal combustion engines roared at the same time, black exhaust fumes gushed out, and the earth shook. The steel behemoths began to move slowly, their tracks rolling over the sand, leaving two neat and deep marks. Then, a steel torrent consisting of 500 trucks followed the tank cluster, stirring up a cloud of dust and rolling towards the western horizon. At the same time, thousands of miles away, at the royal court of the Shaman Empire. Emperor Timur was hugging his favorite concubine and admiring the performance of the dancers. He is tall and strong, and his eyes are full of arrogance and conceit. A scout general rushed into the hall and knelt on the ground. “Emperor! The Hua Dynasty’s army has left the border!” Timur waved his hand, asking the dancers and musicians to leave. He asked lazily, “How many people are here?” “They… they don’t have war horses. Instead, they ride on some kind of steel monster that can run on its own. Their speed… their speed is not fast, but there are a lot of them.” The scout general’s voice was trembling. Chapter 546 The Real Master “Iron Monster?” Timur and the ministers in the hall burst into laughter when they heard this. A prime minister with a mustache stroked his beard and said sarcastically, “The people of the Central Plains are indeed a group of strange and ingenious people. They don’t rely on war horses to fight wars, but rely on those bulky iron lumps? What a joke!” Timur laughed so hard that tears came out of his eyes. “Send the order down, telling the warriors on the front lines not to rush to attack. Wait for those weaklings from the Central Plains to drag their iron toys deep into the heart of the desert.” “When the time comes, our 300,000 cavalry will show them who is the true master of this land. I will melt all their iron lumps and make them into horseshoes for my warhorses!” The hall was once again filled with a cheerful atmosphere. The other side. The 1st Armored Division advanced steadily along the oil pipeline at a speed of 300 miles per day. Crush all the outposts and small fortresses that Timur had placed along the way. A week later, this iron torrent had arrived at the city of Kizil, the richest oasis in the Shaman Empire. At the end of the plain, a dark cavalry corps appeared like a tide. Sun Mingde stood on the command tank, raised his binoculars, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. “Attention all troops, prepare for battle. Artillery battalion, plan number one, prepare for a blanket bombardment.” “Let these primitive people on horseback feel the greetings of industry.” The plain outside Kizil City is the most proud pasture of the Shaman Empire and also the training ground for their cavalry. At this moment, this vast grassland is being covered by endless iron hooves. One hundred thousand Shaman cavalry were divided into three huge cavalry formations on the left, center and right, forming a black mass that stretched from the sky to the ground. They were Timur’s most elite royal court Qiexue army. Every soldier was wearing chain mail, holding a scimitar and a spear, and riding a majestic warhorse. Behind the cavalry corps, on a small hill, Shah Timur the Great and his generals were overlooking the battlefield from a high vantage point. There was a cruel smile on Timur’s face. He saw the strange formation of the Hua Dynasty army in the distance. A hundred iron lumps were lined up in a row, followed by some square iron carts. It looked dull and clumsy. “See?” Timur pointed to the distance and said to the generals around him, “This is the army of the Central Plains people. They are lifeless, just like their iron lumps. Do they think they can conquer the grassland with these things? Today, I will let my warriors use their horses’ hooves to trample them into a pile of scrap metal!” “The Emperor is wise!” The generals echoed in unison, their eyes filled with desire for victory and contempt for the enemy. A bearded captain offered his services, “Emperor, please allow my Wolf Riders to lead the charge! I promise that a single charge will rip through their defenses!” “Okay!” Timur waved his hand. “Pass on my order. Blow the horn and attack with all your strength! Let the people of Huachao see what a true storm is!” Woo woo woo woo The desolate sound of the horn resounded through the sky. “Hurrah!” One hundred thousand cavalrymen simultaneously let out an earth shaking roar, like thunder in the blue sky. The heavy cavalry in the center began to slowly speed up, while the light cavalry on both wings began to carry out large scale roundabout encirclements like spread wings. The rain of arrows rose from the sky like dark clouds and shot towards the Hua Dynasty’s army. This is a tactic that has been passed down by the grassland cavalry for thousands of years, and it is always effective. First, use a rain of arrows to disrupt the enemy formation, then the light cavalry on both wings will continue to harass and cut them, and finally the heavy cavalry in the middle will launch a thunderous and fatal blow. However, this time, they faced a completely different enemy. Ding Ding Dong Dong—— Countless arrows landed on the armor of the Pioneer tank, making a crisp sound, and then bounced off weakly without leaving even a white mark. There was silence in the Hua Dynasty’s army, as if they had no reaction to the rain of arrows that covered the sky. Sun Mingde was in the command tank, observing all this coldly through the periscope. The staff around him was constantly reporting the enemy’s coordinates to the artillery positions via radio. “The enemy’s two wings have entered the C3 area, and the center’s vanguard has entered the D5 area.” “Distance: five kilometers.” Sun Mingde picked up the intercom and said calmly, “Artillery Battalion, open fire.” The moment the order was issued, dozens of brand new “Hua Yi” rifled cannons roared at the same time behind the Hua Chao army. There was no billowing black smoke, only a dull bang and a ball of fire spewing out of the muzzle. Then came the teeth grinding whistling sound of the shells cutting through the air. The Shaman cavalry were galloping at high speed, and before they could understand what was happening, death fell from the sky. Boom! Boom! Boom! Dozens of high explosive bombs landed precisely on the densest area of the cavalry corps. Amidst the violent explosion, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and dirt and limbs were thrown high into the air. One explosion point can instantly clear out all cavalry within a few dozen meters. On the hill, the smile on Timur’s face froze instantly. “What is that? A thunder from the sky?” he cried out. His generals were all stunned. They had never seen artillery with such a long range and such great power. This was beyond their understanding of war. “Hold steady! Don’t panic!” The bearded captain brandished his scimitar and roared, “Charge! Once we get in front of them, their magic will be useless! Charge!” Under the pressure of the officers, the Shaman cavalry endured their fear and continued to charge forward. They believed that as long as they could rush to the enemy, their sharp scimitars could cut through everything. Distance: three kilometers. Distance: two kilometers. The Chinese bombardment continues. But the number of Shaman cavalry was too large. They stepped on the corpses of their companions and finally rushed into a range of one kilometer. “Stop the shelling! Tank battalion, fire freely!” Sun Mingde issued a new order. “receive!” Inside the tank, the gunners had already locked onto the target through the sight. “Target, enemy cavalry group, straight ahead, fire!” boom! The 75mm main guns of one hundred tanks opened fire almost at the same time. One hundred grenades, like one hundred iron fists, slammed into the cavalry’s charging formation. The flames and shock waves of the explosion formed an insurmountable wall of death. A Shaman centurion, extremely brave, was waving his ancestral scimitar and was about to shout slogans when a shell exploded not far from him. He didn’t even get to let out a scream before he and his horse were torn to pieces by the shock wave. If the previous bombardment was a harvest, then this moment was a massacre. However, this is not the end. Dadadadadada—— Gunshots rang out more frequently than popping beans. The coaxial machine gun on the tank and the heavy machine gun on the roof simultaneously spewed out deadly flames. Two fire whips made of bullets lashed the charging cavalry frantically at a rate of hundreds of rounds per minute. The cavalrymen at the front seemed to have hit an invisible wall, and their horses and men were instantly turned into a bloody mist. The following cavalry had no time to stop and crashed headfirst into this meat grinder of bullet rain. Flesh, bones, armor, and broken weapons mixed together, forming a thick blood red carpet in front of the formation. Chapter 547 Ending On the hill, Timur felt cold all over, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. He watched helplessly as his most elite Qiexue troops were annihilated in large numbers before his eyes in a way he could not understand. That was not a battle, it was a one sided massacre. His warriors could not even get within a hundred steps of the enemy. “Retreat… retreat…” Timur’s voice was dry and trembling, full of despair. However, it was too late. The morale of the entire Shaman Cavalry Corps has completely collapsed. The soldiers threw away their weapons and turned their horses around desperately, wanting to escape from this hell on earth. “Want to run?” Sun Mingde sneered. “Orders, First and Second Battalions, form a pincer attack and advance forward! Third Battalion, encircle them from the flank! Keep them all!” Rumble… One hundred tanks began to move forward slowly, their tracks rolling over the bloody grass, making a teeth grinding squeaking sound. As they advanced, they chased the fleeing figures with machine guns and artillery. A tank driver looked at the hellish scene outside through the narrow observation window. He felt dizzy, not because of fear, but because of an unprecedented sense of power that dominated the battlefield. He saw a Shaman general, who seemed unwilling to accept defeat, turned his horse around, waving a scimitar, and rushed towards his tank in despair. He didn’t even bother to tell the gunner to fire, he just kept his foot on the accelerator. There was a soft “bang” sound, as if just a small stone was rolled over. The brave general, along with his beloved warhorse, disappeared under the tank tracks. The battle was basically over within an hour after it started. Tens of thousands of mutilated corpses and wailing wounded were left on the plain. The surviving Shaman cavalry had fled without a trace. Timur fled the hill in a panic under the desperate protection of his personal guards. He looked back and saw the Iron Legion standing in a sea of corpses and blood. An era has come to an end. Sun Mingde gave the order and the truck troops moved forward. The infantrymen on the trucks jumped off and began to clean up the battlefield and establish a defense line in an orderly manner. He picked up the radio and sent the first victory message to Lin Xiao who was far away in the capital. “Your Majesty, outside Kizil City, our First Armored Division encountered the enemy’s main force of 100,000. The enemy has been routed, with over 30,000 killed and nearly 10,000 captured. Our army… only three of our tanks suffered damaged tracks, and two were stabbed by enemy soldiers feigning death while clearing the battlefield. No one was killed.” “The iron hoofs of the Western Regions are vulnerable to a single blow.” Capital city, imperial study. The telegraph operator handed the telegram he had just translated to the chief minister Song Qinghe with trembling hands. Song Qinghe only took one look and his face turned red with excitement, and his beard began to tremble. He quickly walked to Lin Xiao’s desk, his voice changing tone: “Your Majesty! Great victory! Great victory in the Western Regions!” Lin Xiao was playing with an exquisite Luban lock with Zhang Chengyu. Hearing this, he just raised his eyelids and motioned him to continue. “An urgent telegram from General Sun!” Song Qinghe took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady. “My First Armored Division, outside Kizil City, directly defeated the Shaman Empire’s main force of 100,000! We beheaded 30,000! We captured nearly 10,000! Our army… our army remained unscathed!” He said the words “unharmed” with great emphasis. In the imperial study, Li Dequan, Zhang Fuan and other core ministers were all petrified on the spot. Their mouths opened wide, as if they had heard some fairy tale. Defeating 100,000 elite cavalry head on at the cost of zero casualties? This is not a war, this is a miracle! Only Lin Xiao still had that indifferent expression on his face, as if everything was as expected. He put the last piece of the Luban lock together and handed it to his son, then took the telegram and glanced at it casually. “Understood.” He casually put the telegram aside. “Tell Sun Mingde not to stop. The army will march immediately and attack the Shahman court. Tell him that I don’t want prisoners. I only want Timur’s head and the land of the Shahman Empire.” “Inform the cabinet to immediately draft the ‘Draft Draft for the Administration of the Western Region Province.’ The railway must be planned as soon as possible, from Zhenxi Pass, along the oil pipeline, all the way to the Shaman Royal Court. Schools, hospitals, and factories must also be planned. What I want is not a scorched earth to be conquered, but a new province that can provide blood transfusions for the Chinese Dynasty.” Song Qinghe and others were shocked. The war has just begun, but His Majesty is already planning for decades or even hundreds of years of post war governance. This foresight and courage made those who claimed to be capable ministers of governing the country feel sincerely awed and… insignificant. “Your Majesty, we obey your order!” Everyone knelt on the ground in unison. This time, they were completely convinced. The news of the Kizil victory was like a hurricane, instantly sweeping across the entire empire through the “Hua Chao Di Bao” and official announcements. The capital city is boiling! Countless people took to the streets, beating drums and gongs and setting off fireworks to celebrate this unprecedented victory. In the tavern, storytellers exaggerated the story of how the “Iron Armored Beast” defeated the enemy army, and everyone was fascinated by the story. In the factory, the workers worked even harder because they knew that every part they produced would become the power for the empire to crush its enemies. “Have you heard? Our iron clad beast can spit out thunder in one breath, killing a large number of enemies!” “More than that! My second uncle’s cousin is in the armored division. He said that thing is invulnerable to swords and guns. The enemy’s arrows hit it , just like tickling it!” “Your Majesty is truly a god descending to earth! Following Your Majesty, our Hua Dynasty’s future is becoming more and more promising!” The enthusiasm of the people gathered into a powerful cohesive force, making the entire Hua Dynasty immersed in a high spirited sense of national pride. But in the distant Western Regions, Timur’s escape route was a doomsday scene. The news of Kizil’s defeat spread much faster than he escaped. The 300,000 strong army that he was proud of was like paper in front of the steel torrent of the Hua Dynasty. This news completely destroyed the will to resist of everyone in the Shahman Empire. All the city lords and tribal leaders that Timur met along the way either closed their doors and refused to accept him, or simply led their troops and marched towards the Hua Dynasty army on their knees to greet them. Being deserted by everyone is just like this. When the First Armored Division led by Sun Mingde arrived at the city of Shaman King’s Court without bloodshed in a leisurely manner, the gates of this most magnificent city on the grassland were wide open. Timur’s prime minister, the man with a mustache who had mocked the Hua Dynasty’s army as iron toys, was now leading a group of ministers, holding Timur’s head, kneeling at the city gate, trembling. On the very night that Timur finally escaped back to the royal court, he was hacked to death in his own bedroom by his most trusted ministers. Sun Mingde looked at the head with its eyes open, without a single wave of emotion in his heart. He just gave the order coldly, and the army entered the city and took over everything. The Shahman Empire, a powerful khanate that once dominated the Western Regions for hundreds of years, perished. Chapter 548 The Final Trial Hua Dynasty, Imperial Palace. It was late at night and Lin Xiao was standing alone on the observatory. He didn’t look at the stars, but in his mind, he examined everything he had. A vast empire, a group of loyal ministers, a group of gentle and virtuous wives and concubines, and a group of lively and lovely children. The technology he created is changing the world at an unprecedented speed. He felt like he was at the top of the world and seemed to have nothing more to ask for. At this moment, a long lost, cold mechanical sound rang in his mind without warning. [It has been detected that the civilization guidance program has reached its end point.] 【The final trial begins.】 Lin Xiao’s pupils suddenly shrank. The cold mechanical sound was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing huge waves in Lin Xiao’s mind. “The final trial?” Lin Xiao muttered in his heart, with a hint of curiosity in his tone. [The host has successfully guided a feudal civilization to the threshold of industrial civilization.] The system’s voice stated without any emotion. The social structure, technological system, and educational model established by the host already possess the ability to evolve and develop on their own. This system’s guiding mission is about to be completed. [Final test order, intended to confirm the host’s final choice as the leader of civilization.] Lin Xiao frowned slightly. He already has everything in the world, what else does he have to choose? [Trial Content: Choice.] [Option 1: Ascension. The host will leave the current world, retain all knowledge and memories, and become a god in a higher dimension.] [Option 2: Stay. The host will give up his status as a god and remain in this world forever.] When the system’s voice fell, Lin Xiao’s mind fell into silence. His heart began to beat violently and uncontrollably. Ascend! Become a god! What a huge temptation this is! He only needs to nod his head to break free from the constraints of the flesh and become a true “God”. His breathing became a little rapid, and he seemed to have seen a scene in front of him where he was looking down at all living beings. but…… Another picture involuntarily emerged in his mind. It was the gentle look in Yan Ruotong and Yan Ruoxi’s eyes when they were tidying up his clothes in the early morning. It was the afternoon, and the sisters Liu Ruyan and Liu Weilan were teaching the children to read and write in the garden, with their quiet silhouettes. It was in the evening, when Agula lifted Xiaolin Taku high up in the martial arts field and taught him what bravery was in the language of the grassland, and heard his hearty laughter. Late at night, after he finished handling government affairs and returned to his bedroom, there was always a bowl of hot soup and a light left on for him. He remembered how Song Qinghe argued fiercely with others in the court over the new policy. I remembered Zhang Fuan’s incoherent and greasy smile when he saw the first steam engine running successfully. He recalled the pride that came from the heart when Sun Mingde reported to him on the radio on the battlefield that “none of our soldiers were killed in action.” I thought of countless people, Wang Tiezhu, Wang Gousheng, Zhao Mancang… the change on their faces from numbness to hope. These images, bit by bit, have come together to form his life today, which is real, warm and full of the flavor of life. If he chooses to ascend, all of this will become a string of cold data in his memory, an experience in a “novice village”. He would leave behind his wife, his children, everything he had built. He would lose them forever. Eternal life and limited warmth. Supreme authority and happiness within reach. Lin Xiao slowly closed his eyes. He remembered when he had just crossed over, he was a prodigal son with nothing, despised by the whole village. What was his original wish? Was it to conquer the world? Was it to become a god? no. He just wants to have enough food and clothes, have a few caring people around him, and live a stable and prosperous life. His character of being content with a small fortune seems to have never really changed. Everything that happened later was driven more by the times, in order to protect the people I wanted to protect and to make life better for myself and those around me. When he opened his eyes again, his expression had returned to its calm state. “I choose to stay.” In his heart, he expressed his answer with an extremely firm tone. 【The selection has been confirmed.】 The system’s voice seemed to fluctuate slightly… perhaps it was just Lin Xiao’s imagination. 【System module release…】 An indescribable warmth surged from the depths of his brain and instantly flowed throughout his body. The knowledge that had been instilled through the system seemed to be completely shattered, and then reintegrated into every cell of his body, becoming an innate part of him. He no longer needed to recall a formula or retrieve a drawing; the knowledge was as natural as breathing to him. He could feel that the last connection between him and the system was being severed. The spark of civilization has been ignited, and the road ahead is up to you. [Goodbye, Lin Xiao. 】 This was the last sentence left by the system. It did not call him host, but called him by his name. Then, everything fell silent. Lin Xiao stood on the observatory, the night wind blowing his robe. He felt as if he had lost nothing, yet seemed to have become more complete. He is no longer the lucky one chosen by the system, he is himself, the founding emperor of the Hua Dynasty. He is the father of a group of children including Lin Rui, Lin Xin, Lin Tuo… and the husband of a group of women including Yan Ruotong, Liu Ruyan, Agula… He looked down at his hands and clenched them. From today on, he will use these hands to embrace his family and shape the future of this world with his own hands. In the days after the system left, Lin Xiao’s life seemed no different, but it was different in every aspect. He still deals with mountains of government affairs every day, but he no longer needs to deliberately retrieve the knowledge in his mind. Those complex engineering drawings and profound scientific theories flow through his fingertips as naturally as breathing. When he discussed state policy with his ministers, there was less divine guidance and more human insight. Song Qinghe and others keenly noticed the changes in His Majesty. His Majesty in the past seemed to be standing above the clouds, looking down at them with wisdom beyond his time. Although awe inspiring, there was always an invisible barrier between them. And now, His Majesty is more like an all knowing teacher. He will patiently listen to their confusions and explain those far reaching plans in a way that they can understand. This change reduced the sense of distance between the monarch and his subjects, which was like a reverence for the gods, and increased the cohesion of following sages. The fifth year of Kaiyuan, spring. The first major railway artery connecting the north and the south of China, the “Beijing Nanning Line”, has been fully opened to traffic. Chapter 549: Finale At the opening ceremony, Lin Xiao did not give a long speech. He just took the important cabinet ministers and a large group of white haired scholars of traditional learning and boarded the first train. As the huge steam locomotive spewed out white smoke and pulled the long steel dragon with thunderous force, speeding along a journey that once took months, everyone in the carriage was speechless. Those old Confucian scholars who once disdained “strange and tricky skills” now looked through the smooth glass windows at the rapidly receding mountains, rivers and fields, and felt the trembling of the earth beneath their feet. They finally experienced firsthand how brutally and unquestionably a new era had arrived. The seventh year of Kaiyuan, summer. On the Yangtze River, the main project of the Three Gorges Dam, China’s first super water conservancy hub integrating flood control, power generation and shipping, has been completed. When the huge floodgates slowly dropped and the unruly river water was tamed by humans for the first time, millions of people on both sides of the strait burst into thunderous cheers. The floods that had plagued this land for thousands of years have since become history. That night, as the switch was turned on, the surging water energy was transformed into a powerful electric current, which was transmitted thousands of miles away through a dense spider web of electric wires. From the capital to Nanzhou, from the shores of the East China Sea to the border of the Western Regions, countless cities were illuminated by bright electric lights at the same time. That night, Hua Chao couldn’t sleep. Countless people walked out of their homes, looked up at the artificial suns that were brighter than moonlight, and their eyes were filled with tears of excitement. For the first time, darkness was dispelled so thoroughly. The captured Xiyi general stood in the labor reform camp in Nanzhou Port, looking at the brightly lit city below the mountain, and fell into complete silence. He knew that the gap between the world he represented and this Eastern Empire was no longer one of era, but two civilizations. The tenth year of Kaiyuan, autumn. Western Regions, Karamay. The once barren Gobi desert has now become an industrial center with numerous factories. The huge refinery works day and night, transforming the black gold from the ground into the blood that drives the entire empire forward. A Mengshi off road vehicle, which has been improved for several generations, kicked up a cloud of dust in the Gobi Desert. In the car, the heroic Agula was holding the steering wheel and shouting excitedly. In the passenger seat, Prince Lin Tuo was looking at the map seriously, navigating for his mother. “Mother, turn left. Three kilometers ahead is our campsite for today!” Agula turned the steering wheel and the off road vehicle drew a beautiful arc. “Alright! Watch me show you how to drift into the garage!” Lin Xiao once promised her that the entire grassland would be her racecourse. Now, he has fulfilled his promise, but the horse has been replaced with a steel one. In the winter of the fifteenth year of Kaiyuan, Capital, Royal Academy of Sciences. The best minds from the entire Hua Dynasty gathered here. There are engineering giants like Zhang Fuan, geologists like Lu Jin, completely assimilated Western scholars like Arthur Wellesley, and countless geniuses from poor families who have emerged from nine years of compulsory education. Today, a secret experiment is being carried out here. Inside a huge, vacuumed glass cover, a small metal rocket is undergoing ignition testing. “Attention all units! The countdown begins!” “Five, four, three, two, one, ignite!” boom! An orange red flame spurted out from the tail of the rocket. Although it only lasted for a few seconds, it burst out with astonishing energy. The sensors inside the glass cover sent a series of exciting data. Lin Xiao stood outside the observation room, watching this scene, a relieved smile appeared on his face. Beside him stood Zhang Chengyu, who had become the backbone of the Institute of Physics, and Princess Lin Xin, who had a great passion for physics. “Dad, can we really… fly out of this sky?” Lin Xin’s eyes flashed with curiosity and yearning. Lin Xiao smiled and did not answer directly. He raised his head, his gaze seemed to penetrate the ceiling and look at the deep starry sky. He once had the opportunity to travel through that sea of stars, but he gave it up. Now, he will take everything he cherishes, his family, his country, his civilization, and walk towards the sea of stars in his own way, step by step, with dignity. This is his journey. Time flies, and several years have passed in the blink of an eye. The reputation of the Hua Dynasty has long spread to every corner of the world along the routes of its ocean going fleet. No country dares to challenge this awakened Eastern dragon. Equal trade replaced gunboats and colonization, and the Chinese Dynasty’s silk, porcelain, industrial products, and more importantly, ideas and culture began to profoundly influence the entire world. Imperial Palace, back garden. The warm winter sun shines lazily on my body. Lin Xiao leaned back on a recliner, leisurely watching the scene in front of him. His children have all grown up. The eldest son, Lin Rui, is calm and capable. He has entered the cabinet and become Song Qinghe’s right hand man. The youngest son, Lin Tuo, inherited his mother’s bravery and his father’s wisdom, and became the youngest general of the armored force. The third son, Zhang Chengyu, will follow in his father’s footsteps and will soon take over the huge Royal Academy of Sciences. The daughters also have their own strengths. Lin Xin became a famous physicist, Lin Youning became a doctor who saves lives, and the other children are also shining in their respective fields. At this moment, they were surrounding Liu Weilan, Yan Rutong, Liu Ruyan and other mothers, chattering about something, which made the women laugh continuously. Fujiwara Sakurako and Nana, mother and daughter, are no longer maids. They have been given a new identity and teach and educate in a women’s college, their faces filled with confidence and composure. Not far away, a young photographer was busy adjusting a latest model camera. He was invited by Queen Liu Weilan to take a family portrait for this huge royal family. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, Princesses, all look here… Alright, smile!” Lin Xiao looked at the camera, looked at his family members surrounding him, and saw the happy smiles on their faces. He also smiled from the bottom of his heart. He remembered himself a long time ago, when he had just traveled through time and had nothing. He thought of the cold system and the final choice it gave him. It is indeed great to become a god who is high above and overlooks the birth and death of the world. But, being able to feel the warmth of the sun, hear the laughter of my family, and watch the tree of civilization that I watered with my own hands bloom with flourishing flowers… This, perhaps, is the true eternity. Click. The crisp sound of the camera shutter rang out, freezing this warm moment into eternity. (End of full text)
👍 Please click on the playlist to watch other parts:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLXEhfLHiWpdQQV6_JuQV7a0gfWdx9xle If You Need Subtitles, Please Turn on the CC Subtitles in the Lower Right Corner. 👍 I will make the next part for the popular video, if you need next part, please leave a message in the comment area and let me know you need it. But not all stories are finished, they are still being serialized, so we can only wait. #animerecap #manhwaedit #anime #animerecommendations #manhwa #manhwareccomendation #manhwaedit #manga #animerecap #mangacollection #webtoon #manhwarecap #webtoonrecommendation #webtoons #manhua
4 Comments
thank tou for update
Thanks for the update
damn 35 hours
Why is this video 35 hrs 😭