Chapter 283: The Wheels of History
Song Yingxing was a little moved: "So many excellent books, all available for me to read and learn from as I please. What have I done to deserve such immense kindness?"
Zhao Sheng smiled: "Sir, with your great talent, these books can only realize their fullest potential in your hands. If not for you, then for whom?"
Song Yingxing suddenly realized something. "Wait, wait, wait... could it be that Daoist Ma is one of you...?"
Zhao Sheng confirmed, "Yes, Daoist Ma was dispatched by the Heavenly Lord specifically to invite you here. These books, freely available for your perusal, are also by the Heavenly Lord's decree. Your every need in Gao Family Village—food, clothing, shelter, travel—all expenses are taken care of. The Heavenly Lord has already arranged everything. Sir, you need only focus on your research."
Song Yingxing, still puzzled, asked, "Who exactly is this Heavenly Lord?"
Zhao Sheng replied, "The Heavenly Lord is the deity of Gao Family Village."
Song Yingxing didn't quite grasp the meaning of that statement. He merely assumed it referred to a local gentry or a powerful figure. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Then I truly thank this 'Heavenly Lord.' However, I feel uneasy accepting such generosity without contributing. I wish to impart all the knowledge I possess to your school."
Zhao Sheng chuckled. "Haha, that would be splendid, of course! Actually, the Heavenly Lord already has something in mind that he wishes you to teach our village blacksmiths."
Song Yingxing looked intrigued. "Oh?"
Song Yingxing smiled. "Ah, the bird musket, I see. Its construction is not particularly remarkable. If the Heavenly Lord requires it, I would, of course, be delighted to instruct the blacksmiths."
He produced paper and a brush, and with swift, confident strokes, began to sketch. In a short while, he had clearly drawn every detail of the bird musket's design.
Zhao Sheng smiled as he collected the blueprints, then suddenly spoke again. "The Heavenly Lord has something he wishes to discuss with you."
Song Yingxing tilted his head, questioning. "Indeed?"
Zhao Sheng then produced a spring. "Sir Song, you've seen this object before, haven't you?"
Song Yingxing nodded. "Yes, I have. It's quite fascinating."
Zhao Sheng explained, "The Heavenly Lord says that when firing a bird musket, igniting the matchlock is quite troublesome. Why not install a flint at the touch-hole, with a striker plate beside it? When the trigger is pulled, a spring would drive the flint forcefully against the striker plate, generating a spark to ignite the gunpowder... This way, the musket could fire instantly, without the need for a burning matchlock."
Upon hearing this, Song Yingxing froze instantly. After several seconds, he slapped his forehead forcefully. "Of course! It can be done this way! Yes, with a spring, this is entirely possible!"
Zhao Sheng smiled. "The method of using springs to create firing pins has already been mastered by our village blacksmith, Li Da. With minor modifications, the components he produces can be adapted into a flintlock ignition mechanism... However, the springs he currently makes aren't ideal in terms of elasticity. We would appreciate your assistance, Sir, in further improving them."
Song Yingxing exclaimed, "Please, introduce me! I need this blacksmith's help to bring my new idea to life! Hahaha, I've figured it out! The way to transform the bird musket into a flintlock rifle!"
In the sky above, Li Daoxuan beamed with a gratified smile. Excellent, truly excellent! A top-tier scientist certainly makes a difference. The weaponry of the Gao Family Village Militia was about to make a monumental leap forward.
He hadn't even begun to learn modern mathematics and sciences yet. Once he did, Li Daoxuan mused, countless other incredible inventions would surely follow.
Very good. No rush; slow, steady guidance was all that was needed!
Yinchuan, Ningxia, at a post station.
Li Zicheng, working there, was feeding fodder to a post horse when he suddenly heard the station master's voice. "Huang Lai'er, come over here for a moment."
Huang Lai'er was Li Zicheng's childhood nickname.
Hearing the call, Li Zicheng obediently approached the station master. "Boss, how may I help you?"
The station master sighed. "The Emperor has ordered a reduction in funding for post stations. You're aware of this, aren't you?"
A sense of foreboding rose in Li Zicheng's heart. "I am."
The station master continued, "You're a clever man. I imagine you understand what this means."
Li Zicheng's heart sank. "Boss, His Majesty reduced funding to prevent passing officials from extorting the post stations, demanding services beyond standard reception. Couldn't we just reduce provisions for officials? Why must you dismiss me?"
The station master sighed again. "The Emperor's intentions are noble, wishing us to lower entertainment costs for officials. But in reality, not a single coin can be withheld from what's due to them! If we still need to save money under such circumstances, then dismissing postmen is our only option."
Li Zicheng remained silent.
The station master continued, "You are a capable man; you'll manage to survive even without this post station. Here are three taels of silver, from me personally. Take them and return to your hometown to make a living."
Li Zicheng sighed and clasped his hands in a farewell gesture. "Boss, you have your own difficulties. Huang Lai'er won't accept this silver. If this place won't keep me, another will. I'll take my leave."
The station master waved his hand at him. "Huang Lai'er, live well."
Li Zicheng gathered his belongings and strode out of the post station. He considered his options. The world was vast, yet there seemed to be no place for him. He would simply return to his hometown of Mizhi.
In the second year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, the economic situation was dire. Emperor Zhu Youjian, in an effort to save money, abolished many post stations, effectively smashing Li Zicheng's rice bowl.
Li Zicheng was now unemployed.
And so, the wheels of history began to turn, rolling relentlessly forward...
Chengcheng County Town.
Gao Yiye, accompanied by Xia Lu, Qiu Ju, and Dong Xue, was diligently illustrating the fourth volume of "The Heavenly Lord's Tale of Demon Extermination." By this volume, the exquisite detail of their artwork already rivaled that of the finest illustrated books.
These three young women truly lived up to their reputation as accomplished ancient female scholars, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In this era, finding women whose general knowledge surpassed that of courtesans was indeed rare. Yet, for all their learning, their only path had been the brothel—a true tragedy of the times.
After being redeemed by Gao Yiye, the girls no longer had to entertain men. Their new patron simply asked them to draw, write, and calculate, ensuring they were well-fed and warmly clothed.
Feeling respected, they were naturally overwhelmed with gratitude and worked with fervent dedication.
Just then, Gao Yiye suddenly heard the Heavenly Lord's voice. "Yiye!"
Gao Yiye quickly looked up. "What are your commands, Heavenly Lord?"
Li Daoxuan chuckled. "The carpenters in Gao Family Village, guided by Song Yingxing, have produced the latest spinning and weaving machines. I've instructed San Shier to have those two items delivered to the county town as quickly as possible."
Gao Yiye immediately understood. "You wish for the women in the county town to also join the work of spinning and weaving?"
"Precisely!" Li Daoxuan affirmed. "Women are a crucial productive force. To keep them idle at home would be a tremendous waste of societal potential. It's time to mobilize the women here in the county town as well. Following the model of the Heavenly Lord Fabric Manor in Gao Family Village, establish a similar fabric workshop here. Sell cotton to the women at a low price, and then purchase their finished cloth back at standard market rates."
Gao Yiye bowed. "As you command!"
No sooner had they finished speaking than Xia Lu interjected, "Heavenly Lord, the women of our Chengcheng County Town possess a unique skill that might interest you."
Li Daoxuan replied, "Oh? Do tell."
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