Mu Qing couldn’t help but think of his granddaughter, who spent every night recording various data by candlelight until late. He nodded. “Alright.”
Apart from his granddaughter Mu Wanbai, he had also taught over a dozen students.
But these people, only recently literate, had a limited understanding of many things. The main work still relied on him and his granddaughter.
As he grew older, his energy had declined significantly. Mu Wanbai, unwilling to let him overexert himself, handled everything she could on her own.
Even her younger brother Mu Yizhou, who was still studying at the academy, was often pulled in for labor.
Liu Mi looked forward to it. “Can it be completed before winter sets in?”
Jiang Jin thought for a moment. “It shouldn’t be a problem. Most of the buildings in Chuanrong County are already finished, freeing up quite a few people. We can get started as soon as we draft the structure for the medical academy.”
Mu Zhuo stroked his beard, chuckling. “I think we should recruit some doctors as teachers. Relying on just a few of us to teach won’t be enough.”
“Right, right. There’s a good doctor in Shanguan County named Kong,” Suo Qian chimed in.
Having stayed the longest in Shanguan County, he had become fairly familiar with Kong Xinshu as a peer and knew his medical skills and character were solid.
The main issue was that Jiang Jin’s starting point was too low—practically scrounging for equipment and people.
Doctors were already scarce; finding even two or three was lucky for her.
Jiang Jin agreed. “Alright, if there are other doctors, feel free to recommend them. But they must all pass an assessment. You’ll handle the exams. Let’s all work hard to train a team of doctors who can stand on their own as soon as possible.”
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and October arrived. Construction began on the two academies and the various experimental research buildings in the new city. Meanwhile, Dong Si reached Ze’a Prefecture.
He was received by old acquaintances Sheng He and Sheng Shang.
Sheng Shang cupped his hands in greeting. “Long time no see. You’re looking as impressive as ever.”
Dong Si returned the gesture. “Likewise.”
Sheng He smiled. “You must be tired from the journey, Ambassador Dong. Would you like to rest for a bit?”
Dong Si’s eyes crinkled with a grin. “No need, no need. When would your master be free?”
Sheng He glanced at Shuangjiang, who was following Dong Si, his thoughts tangled. Was Princess Jinyang so short on people, or was she trying to reassure them by sending a child as a guard?
And with a large saber taller than herself—was she trying to intimidate them?
The craftsmanship of the saber was surprisingly fine, almost like the real thing.
But the kid’s acting wasn’t convincing. If it were a real blade, how heavy would it be?
Yet she carried it as if it had no weight—must be hollow.
Shuangjiang kept her face expressionless, maintaining what she thought was her most formidable and imposing look. She was used to this kind of scrutiny by now and paid it no mind.
Behind her, the soldiers, both male and female, stood straight as ramrods, swords at their waists and unknown objects strapped to their backs.
“Haha, any time is fine. This way, please.” Sheng He withdrew his gaze and led the way with a smile.
When Sheng Chi and the others saw Dong Si, they were all taken aback. He was so young!
Zhang Tinghan’s smile was sardonic. “I heard your Gofeng wants to exchange for our large ships?”
Dong Si nodded, neither humble nor arrogant. “That’s right. May I ask how many ships you have now, and how many are available for trade?”
Zhang Tinghan scoffed coldly. “Quite the big talk. That depends on what you’re offering. We don’t want money.”
Dong Si shot him a sidelong glance and asked directly, “Then what do you want?”
Huo Chun stretched his lips into a hollow smile. “I’ve heard you have an extremely powerful repeating crossbow. Would something like that be up for trade?”
Zhang Tinghan chimed in, “Yes, and the method of making it too.”
A chill instantly crept into Dong Si’s eyes, though he kept his smile. “You wish.”
“Sorry, nothing for you. But—” He shifted the tone. “If you want, I can have the horses leave two fresh piles for you.”
He was truly furious. His lord’s two greatest treasures were weapons and food.
But everyone knew that weapons were the root of everything. Only by holding onto them could one protect the food. Even without food, one could always seize it.
Jiang Jin had held Gofeng, captured Shanguan County and Chuanrong County, thanks in no small part to the repeating crossbow.
The noble families had the audacity to shamelessly demand the crossbow and its manufacturing method—it was like cutting off his lord’s foundation.
Remembering how they had previously sent plague-stricken people into Gofeng, old grudges and new hatred surged within him.
These traitors and rebels deserved only death!
He had to adopt a tough stance. Against these seemingly shrewd but actually foolish people, he needed to put them in their place right from the start.
Otherwise, they would be led by the nose later in negotiations.
Shuangjiang’s face was icy. “Sorry, our warhorses can’t hold back their waste. If they want to eat it, they’ll have to make it themselves. It’ll suit them just fine!”
Her meaning was clear: they weren’t even worthy of what the Jinyang Army’s warhorses produced; they’d have to eat their own.
The hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned.
As members of the great noble families, they were all refined people. They had never encountered such crude talk before. Everyone was dumbfounded.
It took a moment for Zhang Tinghan to recover. He slammed the table. “Who do you think you are, speaking to us like that?”
Huo Chi’s chest heaved with rage. “Is this how Princess Jinyang trains her people? Barbaric! Vulgar!”
Sheng Chi was so furious he nearly fainted and grabbed the table to keep himself upright. He had never suffered such humiliation in his life.
It was an utter disgrace!
“Vulgar?” Dong Si scanned the group, taking in their pale or flushed faces. “Vulgarity is still part of human nature. But you lot might not even qualify as human.”
“If you’re not serious about trading, then forget it. A few broken ships for our repeating crossbow, and you laughably want the recipe?”
He stood up, looking around with contempt. “Frogs at the bottom of a well—reckless and ignorant!”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
The group, still reeling from the earlier insult, was struck speechless by Dong Si’s words. For a moment, they forgot to act, staring spitefully at his retreating back.
Sheng Chi’s head pounded and his vision blurred. He hadn’t expected Ambassador Dong to be so hot-tempered.
But seeing his stubborn attitude now, he felt a pang of uncertainty. He suspected Gofeng had indeed brought something valuable this time.
Swallowing his humiliation, he shouted, “Stop!”
Several soldiers from the noble families outside rushed in at his voice, raising their blades at Dong Si.
Shuangjiang stepped forward, shielding Dong Si, and slammed the butt of her Eternal Life saber into the ground. A dull, thunderous boom echoed. The very floor seemed to tremble.
Crack, crack—
The extravagant jade flooring split!
Cracks radiated outward from the saber’s butt!
“Who dares make a move?” Shuangjiang’s eyes were sharp and cold.
With a whoosh, dozens of Dragon Shadow Guards drew their Dragon Feather Crossbows from the quivers on their backs, their pitch-black, icy muzzles aimed at the noble soldiers—and at Sheng Chi and the others inside the hall.
Dong Si remained as calm as still water, turning back to the utterly stunned group. “What, you want to stop me?”
