Novels online

Chapter 388 This Time, It's Not the Heavenly Lord's Colors

The "superior weaponry" Master Zhang spoke of certainly didn't refer to things like bows, crossbows, or spears.

He was talking about firearms!

"Imagine, a few cannons mounted on the Qichuan Ferry Fortress," Master Zhang said, rubbing his hands, his face alight with excitement.

"Add dozens, maybe a hundred, firearm-wielding soldiers, and I guarantee that the next time bandits attack, my brothers and I won't even need Master Bai's intervention; we'll send them fleeing in disarray."

Bai Yuan took out a fan, snapped it open with a flourish, revealing the characters for "gentleman," and chuckled, "You want firearms, eh?"

Master Zhang replied, "Want them, desperately want them."

Bai Yuan said, "My word doesn't quite count for this."

Master Zhang was startled. "Even Master Bai's word doesn't count? Master Bai, you're one of the most prominent figures in Gao Family Village!" Bai Yuan laughed heartily, "When it comes to firearms, only the Heavenly Lord's word counts."

Master Zhang: "..."

Bai Yuan continued, "The Heavenly Lord's exact words were: 'Firearms are lethal weapons. From the day they were conceived, their purpose has been to kill enemies more efficiently. Such things, in the hands of good people, can save the common folk, but in the hands of the wicked, they can destroy the entire world.'"

Master Zhang gasped, "!"

Bai Yuan said, "Therefore, the prerequisite for using firearms is virtue."

Master Zhang vaguely understood. "I see, you mean the Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points for Attention that you've been having my men learn, right?"

Bai Yuan smiled. "Precisely! Your men have only just begun to learn these. It's too early to expect firearms now. Once each and every one of them can perfectly uphold the Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points for Attention, no longer a disorganized rabble but true soldiers of the people, then Gao Family Village will naturally deliver a large supply of firearms."

Master Zhang quickly responded, "Having a clear goal makes things easier. Master Bai, just wait and see. Your junior will ensure the militia members are thoroughly trained."

As the two spoke, Bai Yuan suddenly felt something was amiss. He sharply looked up and saw a low-hanging cloud drifting directly overhead, a sight that filled him with unexpected joy. "Oh? The Heavenly Lord is here!"

Master Zhang was greatly surprised. "Where? I don't see him!"

Bai Yuan gave a deep bow towards the sky. "I didn't expect the Heavenly Lord to visit Qichuan Ferry. I hadn't noticed him until now, and my manners were lacking. This 'rites' aspect, cross it out, cross it out!"

The clouds parted, and a large sheet of paper appeared, displaying a message: "No matter. I'm just here for a casual look."

When this paper was displayed, Master Zhang also saw it and was truly startled. He had not expected the Heavenly Lord to manifest right above them! Words appearing in the sky were profoundly striking, and he immediately knelt.

Bai Yuan instructed, "Stand up. The Heavenly Lord dislikes incessant kneeling. It wastes too much time on formalities. He is a very busy man, so when speaking with him, be concise and to the point, and don't take up his time."

Master Zhang dutifully stood up.

Bai Yuan reported, "Reporting to the Heavenly Lord, as per your instructions, I have frequently visited Qichuan Ferry to oversee the construction of the fortress. Ten days ago, the cement fortress was completed. The Heyang County Militia has already garrisoned this fortress and will remain stationed here long-term to defend against bandits. I also transferred veteran soldiers from Gao Family Village to teach them the Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points for Attention daily. Once their quality improves, they will be issued weapons."

Li Daoxuan displayed a large sheet of paper with his message: "Excellent work. With you here, I am reassured."

Receiving praise from the Heavenly Lord, even an intellectual like Bai Yuan couldn't help but beam with joy.

Li Daoxuan displayed a message: "Since you have established a foothold along the Yellow River, I shall bestow upon you a fine vessel."

"A ship?" Master Zhang was greatly surprised. "Is the Heavenly Lord bestowing upon us fishing boats for catching fish?"

It was understandable he would think this. The Heavenly Lord's blessings to Heyang County had mostly been related to productivity, such as flour, and road construction. Now, when the Heavenly Lord mentioned bestowing a ship, Master Zhang's first thought was fishing boats.

Bai Yuan, however, cast his gaze over the few dilapidated small fishing boats moored at the dock. He mused, *There are already fishing boats here, albeit a bit worn. They're certainly sufficient to sustain the lives of the fishermen. Despite years of severe drought, the fishermen on the Yellow River have not been affected; their lives are free from worry.*

*Yet the Heavenly Lord says he will bestow a ship? Strange!*

*Perhaps it's not a fishing boat, but... a warship?*

Bai Yuan's excitement surged.

As the clouds parted, a colossal ship slowly descended from the sky.

This time, the object that descended was larger than anything the Heavenly Lord had ever bestowed before. A giant ship, a truly immense ship.

Though still high in the air, Bai Yuan could tell at a glance that this ship was at least ten *zhang* long. A vessel of such length would be a veritable behemoth on inland rivers.

It slowly descended from the sky, leaving Master Zhang and the Heyang County Militia utterly dumbfounded. The fishermen on the dock cried out in alarm: "What is that? Wow, a huge ship is coming down from the sky!"

"Is the Heavenly Lord performing a divine miracle?"

"Splash!"

The ship landed on the river surface with a great splash, displacing a vast amount of water and sending ripples across the surface. With his gloved colossal hand, Li Daoxuan gently nudged the ship, guiding it to moor alongside Qichuan Ferry.

The small fishing boats already at the dock rocked ceaselessly from the waves. Fortunately, the fishermen on board weren't thrown off; they had spent their entire lives on the Yellow River and were accustomed to its capricious currents. It wasn't easy to dislodge them.

But even these seasoned river folk now stood with mouths agape, faces etched with bewilderment.

Before them lay a ship tens of meters long. A modern swimming pool is typically only 25 meters long, yet this ship was considerably longer. Its sheer size was almost incomprehensible.

The fishermen gazed up at the towering superstructure and the over a dozen gleaming cannons, shining brightly in the sun, and were on the verge of prostrating themselves.

Master Zhang's mouth was wide enough to fit a duck egg. He had just been begging Bai Yuan to install a few cannons on Qichuan Fortress, and now a ship had flown down from the sky, a ship with over a dozen cannons...

Good heavens!

If he knew these cannons were merely decorative fakes, he might just die of frustration.

Everyone wore expressions of gratitude and excitement, except for Bai Yuan, whose face was peculiar. His head tilted as if deep in thought. After a long moment, he finally spoke in a strange tone, "This ship the Heavenly Lord has bestowed... something's off."

Master Zhang asked, "What's off? Such a massive ship, such an impressive vessel! How can anything be off?"

Bai Yuan solemnly declared, "This ship is wood-grained. It's too strange. Why isn't it painted in the vibrant, multicolored 'Heavenly Lord's colors'? This ship doesn't fit the Heavenly Lord's style at all. Could it be that the Heavenly Lord is hinting at something?"

Li Daoxuan: "..."

Master Zhang: "..."

A metaphorical lightbulb flickered on above Bai Yuan's head. "I understand! The Heavenly Lord has only given us a mold this time, so that we may paint it in vibrant, multicolored hues ourselves, as a sign of our respect for him."