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Chapter 169: The Heavenly Lord Desires a Gunpowder Workshop

Xing Honglang woke very early.

Sleeping on the hard, icy plastic floor wasn't exactly comfortable; she'd be a ghost if she hadn't woken early.

Scrambling to her feet, she realized a blanket had been draped over her. That felt odd. Which subordinate had covered her with a blanket but hadn't bothered to help her back to a proper bed? Were their brains filled with sawdust? Absolutely useless at looking after people.

Rubbing her pounding, hungover head, she grumbled aloud, "Old Zhu, Old Zhang, which one of you lazy bastards is awake? Get your madam a cup of water!"

No one answered!

All the salt smugglers were still snoring away in their beds.

Xing Honglang looked around, seeing her subordinates all sleeping like pigs. With no choice but to help herself, she poured a glass of water with one hand and drank it, then stumbled out of the large plastic house.

Outside, the sky was already bright.

The villagers of Gao Family Village, as usual, had already begun their diligent work. Some were repairing roads, others sawing wood, while the hundred-strong militia practiced drills beside the main fortress.

She walked past a cluster of plastic buildings, noting that establishments like the "inn," "tavern," "market," and even the "brothel" were all completely empty. She couldn't help but grumble, "This is a perfectly good place, and the population's not small, yet there isn't a single business running. It's ridiculous."

"Is Miss Xing feeling something's amiss too?" San Shier emerged from a plastic building that looked like a "bookstore" ahead of them, smiling at her. "Miss Xing is a worldly person, especially having traveled north and south, doing business everywhere. When it comes to trade, you must be 'perfectly clear about it,' I'm sure."

Xing Honglang nodded in affirmation.

San Shier humbly sought her counsel. "In Miss Xing's opinion, has our Gao Family Village now met the conditions to establish a market?"

Xing Honglang scoffed, "Isn't that obvious? The population of Gao Family Village must already exceed a thousand. Looking around, the main fortress is surrounded by colorful houses. This can no longer be called a village; it should be called a town. Have you ever seen a town where no one does business?"

San Shier tilted his head slightly in thought, then chuckled, "Indeed. A town with no commerce does feel a bit peculiar. I've been considering this myself, wondering how to revitalize trade in Gao Family Village."

Xing Honglang let out a knowing chuckle. "I actually know why that is."

San Shier responded, "I am 'eager to hear the details,' if you would."

Xing Honglang explained, "Your village, when paying the villagers, gives them too much. You give grain, salt, oil, and sugar—everything. What business do they need to do? They just eat their share, and some even have leftovers to sell to me."

That made sense, and San Shier was momentarily stumped. "That was in the past, when Gao Family Village had fewer people. Because there was no commerce, the Heavenly Lord distributed supplies to everyone so they could be self-sufficient.

It seems I'll have to change my approach. Carpenters will only receive grain, not salt; blacksmiths will only receive salt, not grain... I'll just need to increase the quantities accordingly."

Xing Honglang chuckled. "Scholars truly have quick minds."

San Shier thanked Xing Honglang and returned to the main fortress to consider the detailed "wage adjustment plan." Revitalizing commerce was imperative, a matter of utmost necessity.

Xing Honglang continued to wander forward, emerging from the "commercial street" and stopping before a hillside. She saw Gao Yiye running up from the bottom of the slope, dressed in a dignified outfit, yet moving with cheerful speed.

Reaching Xing Honglang, she looked up and smiled. "Sister Xing, the Heavenly Lord is looking for you. He has something he wishes to discuss."

Xing Honglang looked up and bowed to the empty air. Yesterday's divine rain of rolling logs and Cheng Xu's miraculous flight had been eye-opening, giving her a clear understanding of the Heavenly Lord's power. "May I know, Heavenly Lord, what divine decree you have for me?"

Gao Yiye whispered, "The Heavenly Lord desires a 'gunpowder workshop' for Gao Family Village."

"Oh?" Xing Honglang's brow furrowed slightly. "That won't be easy. The imperial court keeps a very close watch on gunpowder workshops."

Gao Yiye smiled. "The Heavenly Lord says if it were an easy matter, he wouldn't entrust it to Miss Xing. He perceives that Miss Xing is a person of great capability, specializing precisely in difficult undertakings."

Xing Honglang let out a couple of soft chuckles. To be praised by an immortal from the heavens, well, she had to admit, she felt a little... proud.

Gao Yiye continued, "The Heavenly Lord says that since Heyang County has become restless, Miss Xing likely won't be able to pass through it to return to Shanxi for business in the short term. Your next plan should be to go to Xi'an Prefecture, right?"

Xing Honglang nodded. "That is indeed my intention. Once the wound on my arm heals, I plan to make a trip to Xi'an Prefecture."

Gao Yiye said, "When Miss Xing goes to Xi'an, perhaps you could 'stroll' through the official workshops, testing the waters at the gunpowder workshop. If—"

Xing Honglang understood immediately. "If he's willing to escape, I'll protect him, spirit him away from government control, and bring him to Gao Family Village?"

Gao Yiye added, "This task likely won't be easy. The Heavenly Lord says to attempt it if it can be done, but there's no need to force it. Your safety must be prioritized above all else. If there's even the slightest hint of danger, abandon the idea."

Xing Honglang burst into laughter. "Since birth, I've traveled far and wide with my father, dealing in smuggled salt—a business punishable by death. Exploiting loopholes in government regulations? I'm practically a master at it! If I sense someone can't be brought back, I absolutely won't make a move. But once I do act, that person will surely arrive at Gao Family Village. The authorities won't lay a hand on me!"

Gao Yiye was overjoyed. "The Heavenly Lord is very pleased! He says if Miss Xing can bring back the gunpowder workshop, he will certainly not treat you poorly."

Xing Honglang waved a dismissive hand. "No need for that. The Heavenly Lord's divine intervention helped me slay that idiot, Er Chun, and get my revenge. I owe the Heavenly Lord an immense debt of gratitude. Bringing back a gunpowder workshop will be like fulfilling a vow."

Gao Yiye chuckled. "To put it that way, you're implying that Er Chun and a gunpowder workshop weigh the same."

Xing Honglang burst into hearty laughter. "That's true! That idiot Er Chun wasn't worth a single coin, ha ha ha!"

As the two were speaking, cheers erupted in the distance.

Xing Honglang glanced over, curious. "What's all the commotion over there?"

Gao Yiye explained, "The cement road leading to Wangjia Village opened today. They're cheering for the new road."

"Oh?" Xing Honglang mused, "You mean that strange, hard, gray road."

Gao Yiye nodded. "Yes, with that kind of road, the public solar cars can travel more smoothly, and their speed can increase. The Heavenly Lord intends to lay those roads to all the villages surrounding Gao Family Village, but our manpower is limited. We've only just completed the second one, so now solar cars can go to Wangjia Village."

Xing Honglang clicked her tongue in amazement. "If roads like this were laid all across the land, my trade routes would be so much easier! Alas, only the Heavenly Lord could provide such a miraculous item."

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