novelraw Chapter 283: The Wheel of History Turned
Chapter 283: The Wheel of History Turned
Song Yingxing was somewhat moved: “So many fine books, all freely available for me to read and study as I wish. How am I worthy of such great favor?”
Zhao Sheng smiled: “You possess exceptional talent, Mr. Song. Only when books like these are given to you can their greatest value be realized. If not for you, then who should see them?”
A sudden thought occurred to Song Yingxing: “Eh? Wait… Is it possible… that Daoist Ma was sent by you…”
Zhao Sheng: “Indeed. Deity specifically tasked Daoist Ma to go out and invite you here. Deity also gave the instruction that these books are entirely at your disposal. You needn’t worry about any expenses—food, clothing, living costs here in Gaojia Village—Deity has arranged everything. You need only focus your mind on your research.”
Song Yingxing was puzzled: “Exactly… who is the Deity?”
Zhao Sheng: “The Deity is the god of Gaojia Village.”
Song Yingxing didn’t quite grasp this, assuming it referred to some local gentry or petty king instead. He clasped his fists respectfully: “Then this humble one truly thanks the Deity. However, I feel uneasy accepting such provisions without contributing. I wish to impart everything I know to the school.”
Zhao Sheng: “Haha, that would be most excellent! In fact, Deity already has something specific in mind, Mr. Song. We hoped you could teach the village blacksmiths.”
Song Yingxing: “?”
Zhao Sheng: “Firearms!”Song Yingxing smiled: “So, Firearms. The methods for crafting them are hardly secret knowledge. If the Deity requires it, I am certainly willing to teach the blacksmiths.”
He took out paper and pen, and with swift strokes, sketched right there and then. In no time, a design for Firearms appeared on the paper, every small component depicted clearly.
Zhao Sheng smiled as he collected the drawing, then continued: “Deity has another matter to discuss with you.”
Song Yingxing: “?”
Zhao Sheng produced a spring: “You’ve already encountered this, Mr. Song?”
Song Yingxing nodded: “I have. It’s quite fascinating.”
Zhao Sheng said: “Deity points out that Firearms currently require the ignition cord to be lit before firing, which is cumbersome. Why not install a piece of flint at the touch hole? Set a striking anvil beside the hole. When firing, pull the trigger. Under the spring’s force, the flint would strike heavily beside the fire hole, producing sparks that ignite the gunpowder… Thus, the Firearm could fire instantly, eliminating the need to wait for the cord to burn.”
Hearing this, Song Yingxing froze entirely. After several seconds, he slapped his forehead sharply: “So that’s how it could be done! Right! With springs, this can actually work!”
Zhao Sheng smiled: “The method of creating a firing pin using springs has already been mastered by our village blacksmith, Blacksmith Li Da. By slightly modifying the device he made, it can be adapted into a flintlock ignition mechanism… However, the spring elasticity he achieved still isn’t optimal. We would appreciate your help, Sir, in further refining it.”
Song Yingxing’s eyes lit up: “Introduce me! I need this blacksmith’s assistance to build the device I just envisioned! Hahaha! I can see it! The method to transform the Firearm into a Flintlock Firearm!”
High in the sky, Li Daoxuan’s face broke into a satisfied smile. Excellent, excellent. Having recruited a top-tier scientist truly made a difference. The weaponry of the Gaojia Village Militia was set to make a tremendous leap forward.
And he hasn’t even begun learning mathematics, physics, or chemistry yet, Li Daoxuan mused. Once he starts studying those… alas… all sorts of chaotic equipment could be built.
Very good. No need to rush. Gentle guidance is the way.
…
Ningxia, Yinchuan, a relay station.
Li Zicheng, working there, was feeding hay to a station horse, when he suddenly heard the stationmaster’s voice: “Huang Laier, come here!”
Huang Laier was Li Zicheng’s childhood name.
Hearing the call, Li Zicheng obediently approached the stationmaster: “Leader, what do you require of I, your humble servant?”
The stationmaster sighed: “The Emperor has ordered funding for relay stations cut. You’re aware of this, I assume?”
A sense of foreboding rose in Li Zicheng’s heart: “I am.”
Stationmaster: “You’re a smart lad. Hearing that, you should understand.”
Li Zicheng felt his heart sink: “Leader, the Emperor cut the station funding to prevent passing officials from demanding extravagant station services beyond the allowable standards. We merely need to reduce the provisions we give to officials. Why must you dismiss me?”
The stationmaster sighed again: “The Emperor’s intentions were good—wanting us to lower our expenditures on entertaining officials—but the reality is, the silver demanded by those officials simply must be provided! Trying to save money under these circumstances? The only option left is to cut down on station personnel.”
Li Zicheng: “…”
Stationmaster: “You are a capable man. You’ll survive outside this station. Here is three taels of silver from me personally. Take it and return to your hometown to make a living.”
Li Zicheng sighed heavily, clasping his fists: “Leader, you also face difficulties. Huang Laier won’t accept this silver. When one door closes, another opens. I’m off.”
The stationmaster waved to him: “Huang Laier… live well.”
Li Zicheng gathered his belongings and strode out of the station. He pondered the vastness of the world, yet nowhere seemed a fit place for Li Zicheng. Ah well, better just go back to my old hometown, Mizhi.
In Chongzhen Year Two, facing grim economic conditions, Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian, in a bid to save money, abolished numerous relay stations. Li Zicheng found his rice bowl shattered.
Li Zicheng became an unemployed youth.
The wheel of history began its relentless turn forward.
…
Chengcheng County town.
Gao Yiye was overseeing Xia Lü, Qiu Ju, and Dong Xue, the three young women, working diligently on the illustrations for the fourth volume of “Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale”. By this volume, the exquisite level of their drawings could rival any fine picture book.
These young women were truly commendable examples of educated women in ancient times—mastering the lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In that era, women with such broad “miscellaneous learning”, surpassing even that of a brothel girl, were rare finds. Yet their skills could only find employ in brothels, a stark reminder of the era’s tragedy.
After Gao Yiye redeemed and freed them, the women no longer had to kowtow and flatter men. Their new benefactor insisted they merely draw pictures and do a bit of writing and calculating, in exchange for warm clothes and sufficient food.
They felt their talents were respected, and naturally responded with immense gratitude and dedication to their work.
Just then, Gao Yiye heard a voice: “Yiye!”
Gao Yiye quickly looked up: “What are your commands, Deity?”
Li Daoxuan chuckled: “Under Song Yingxing’s guidance, the carpenters back in Gaojia Village have built the latest models of spinning and weaving machines. I’ve ordered Thirty-Two to deliver those two items to the county town as soon as possible.”
Gao Yiye understood instantly: “So women in the county town can also start spinning and weaving?”
“Precisely!” Li Daoxuan affirmed. “Women represent vital productive capacity. Leaving them idling at home is a massive waste of social resources. It’s time to mobilize the women here in the county town as well. Follow the model of Gaojia Village’s fabric shop here. Sell cotton to the women at low cost, then buy back the finished woven cloth at standard market prices.”
Gao Yiye responded promptly: “As you command!”
As their exchange concluded, Xia Lü suddenly spoke up: “Honored Deity, in our Chengcheng County town, the women possess one special skill that might merit your attention.”
Li Daoxuan: “Oh? Please elaborate.”