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Chapter 199: These Books Are Yours

Bai Yuan had achieved a resounding victory, finally redeeming his father's dignity and proving his superiority over his son. Swelling with pride, he let out a hearty laugh.

As his mirth subsided, he turned and saw Liang Shixian gazing eagerly at him. "Mr. Bai," Liang Shixian began, "you just mentioned 'Twelve Volumes of Heavenly Books.' What exactly are they?"

Bai Yuan was about to produce the *Elementary Math* textbook when a sudden thought struck him: *No, these are Heavenly Books bestowed upon me by the Heavenly Lord. I cannot simply give them away without the Heavenly Lord's permission.*

While he hesitated, he noticed Gao Yiye standing behind Liang Shixian, nodding subtly at him.

Bai Yuan understood. The Heavenly Lord was sending him a message through the Saintess.

There was no longer any need to hesitate.

With a swift movement, he produced a copy of *Elementary Math* and presented it to Liang Shixian. "Magistrate," he declared, "this book is a Heavenly Book, gifted to me by an immortal from the heavens. There are twelve volumes in total, and all the mathematical problems we just discussed can be found within them."

Liang Shixian, being an intellectual, conveniently overlooked the phrase "gifted by an immortal." "The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical exploits, disorder, or spiritual beings," and "Revere the spirits, but keep them at a distance" were maxims he lived by; naturally, he had to pretend he hadn't heard such talk.

The book, however...

He took the *Elementary Math, Grade 1, Semester 1* and flipped through a few pages. Initially, he couldn't recognize the Arabic numerals and symbols, but it wasn't difficult. Within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he was flipping through it with astonishing speed. He rapidly finished the entire first-grade first-semester volume, his spirits soaring. "Mr. Bai," he exclaimed, "this is truly a divine book!"

Bai Yuan smiled. "I already told you it was bestowed by an immortal."

Liang Shixian began, "Such an excellent book should be widely..."

He had intended to say "widely taught," but his voice suddenly caught, his expression shifting from excitement back to dejection. "Unfortunately, arithmetic has not been incorporated into the imperial examinations. Most scholars disdain learning it. However, my personal secretary from Shaoxing might be more interested in this."

Bai Yuan glanced at Gao Yiye, who was again nodding vigorously at him. A plan formed in his mind. He pushed the entire set of twelve volumes of *Elementary Math* towards Liang Shixian. "Magistrate, regardless of whether this subject is included in the imperial examinations, since you find it useful, or rather, if someone like your secretary can make use of it, then there will certainly be people who wish to learn it. This entire set of Heavenly Books is a gift to you. You may select those who are willing to learn and instruct them."

Liang Shixian's spirits soared. "Such a divine book... to be bestowed upon me?"

Bai Yuan replied, "To give a good book to a kindred spirit—what could be more delightful?"

Liang Shixian was overjoyed beyond measure. He hastily lifted his official robe, cupped the twelve volumes in his arms, and carefully rolled them up. "Then I shall not decline this gracious offer."

Having received the Heavenly Books, he no longer had the inclination to linger. He was eager to return and pore over them. He also needed to organize the local militia and volunteers to guard Fengyuan Town. "As for the militia's defense against the Huanglong Mountain bandits," he said, "you may coordinate that among yourselves. I shall return to the county seat now." Bai Yuan cupped his fist in a salute.

Liang Shixian departed, joyfully clutching the divine books.

Bai Yuan and San Shier saw Liang Shixian off. Once he was out of sight, a peculiar expression appeared on Bai Yuan's face. "I never imagined this Liang Shixian would actually enjoy arithmetic," he mused. "Most officials I've known regarded arithmetic as a minor skill and were unwilling to apply themselves to learning it."

San Shier smiled. "Among the officials I've known, he truly is quite an anomaly. If you think about it, if he weren't such an oddity, why would he be assigned to an official post in this particular place at this particular time?"

Bai Yuan was startled. He realized that when Liang Shixian took office, Chengcheng County was such a complete mess that even a blind man could see it. To send him into the fray under such circumstances was clearly the Eunuch Party trying to engineer his downfall.

No wonder! It all made sense!

San Shier said, "The Heavenly Lord bestowed the divine books upon him, likely intending to use his hand to teach practical knowledge for governance and statecraft to more people."

Bai Yuan, of course, understood the Heavenly Lord's intention. He nodded and said, "It's a pity that now, few are willing to learn these miscellaneous subjects. Every scholar only knows how to study the Four Books and Five Classics, and they've all been turned into simpletons from it. We should look to our ancient sages; each of the Six Arts of the gentleman is a practical ability."

San Shier gave him a sidelong glance, intending to retort, but on second thought, he was right. The Six Arts of the gentleman were indeed all practical skills. What Bai Yuan said wasn't wrong, so he decided against his usual sarcastic retort this time.

Bai Yuan continued, "Alright, with the main business concluded, it's time to deal with some minor troubles. I've come to Gao Family Village this time, once again, to seek aid..."

San Shier smiled. "Look at the sky."

Bai Yuan looked up. Heavenly trebuchets, giant crossbow vehicles, and block missiles—all these strange contraptions—were once again descending from the sky. Outside the fortress gate, Solar Car No. 3, a super-sized transport vehicle, was already prepared.

Additionally, over a hundred members of the Gao Family Village Militia stood ready to depart.

Leading them was a masked militia instructor whom Bai Yuan found somewhat familiar; he felt as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Bai Yuan wondered aloud, "This..."

San Shier chuckled. "In the past few months, our Gao Family Village has also organized its own militia. This time, we can send them to reinforce Bai Family Fortress. That militia instructor was personally chosen and designated by the Heavenly Lord. Mr. Bai, if you encounter any issues regarding warfare, you might consider listening to his advice."

Bai Yuan nodded. "Since he was personally appointed by the Heavenly Lord, he must be a man of great ability. I'll consult him with any difficulties I encounter."

Cheng Xu, unaware he was being discussed, was waving his hand, commanding the militia in their pre-battle preparations. "Everyone," he shouted, "put on your armor, check your equipment: hand crossbows, spears, waist knives, arrows... and that small packet of wound medicine specifically instructed by the Heavenly Lord. If anyone misses even one item, I'll make them run twenty circuits around Bai Family Fortress!"

Over a hundred militiamen were all frantically checking their equipment.

Besides them, a substantial contingent of labor reform prisoners was busy provisioning Solar Car No. 3 with supplies: hand crossbows, quivers of arrows, spears, personal armor, flour, powdered milk, cooking oil, salt, sugar, and various other provisions...

Bai Yuan took one look and was startled. "Oh my, they're moving these forbidden weapons and armor to Bai Family Fortress? I... I'm rather..."

San Shier chuckled. "Don't be afraid! The Heavenly Lord said the government simply doesn't have the time to concern itself with this anymore."

Bai Yuan thought it over carefully and realized it was true. The government was currently overwhelmed by the rampant roving bandits everywhere. How could they possibly concern themselves with what forbidden equipment the militia was using?

He remembered the era of the Wokou incursions: the militias along the Jiangnan coast all clandestinely produced firearms and rattan armor to confront the Wokou. The imperial court initially punished a few daring offenders, but later discovered it couldn't be controlled; it was absolutely beyond control.

If the common people in the coastal regions didn't arm themselves, they wouldn't wait for imperial constables to arrest them; they would first be slaughtered clean by the Wokou's brutal blades. Under such circumstances, who would care whether firearms and armor were unlawful or not?

First, arm themselves with illegal weapons and armor to save their lives. Then, they could slowly debate the "Great Ming Code" with you.

Once the imperial court realized the situation, they simply abandoned intervention entirely.

It wasn't until the Wokou incursions ended that the imperial court tried to reassert control. But by then, the private possession of firearms among the populace had become extremely common, so the imperial court simply turned a blind eye.

In fact, to say nothing of ancient times, even in modern times, if zombies were to attack, if Li Daoxuan could acquire a firearm, he'd immediately secure one, without a thought for its legality.