[Server Chat Log]
[Abyssal Martial Fanatic: Where is the limit of a true master? A master's potential is a bottomless abyss!
Scroll-Keeper : Shu Brocade was truly the crown jewel of the Han Dynasty. As a quick side note, let me recommend one of our first national treasures prohibited from being exhibited abroad: the "Five Stars Rise in the East to Benefit China" woven silk armguard.
Ghost of Yiwu: Our Boss has gone all out once again. I did some checking—a single roll of this authentic Shu Brocade starts at roughly twenty thousand gold pieces. This is the real deal, not like the cheap knockoffs from Yiwu we've seen before.
Iron Loom Daoist: Compared to ancient times, it's actually much more affordable now. Back then, this stuff was literally worth its weight in gold. Today, thanks to industrial machinery, the price has plummeted.
Pondering Ascetic: But seeing Shu Brocade makes me realize: our textile technology didn't seem to evolve for the longest time, did it?
Water-Wheel Sect: Technically, yes. We had hand-cranked and foot-pedaled spinning wheels as early as the Spring and Autumn periods, but it wasn't until the Song Dynasty that we saw water-powered large spinning frames. Then came the modern era, where the spinning mule and ring spinning frames were all Western inventions.
Cotton-Sect Leader: It's not just the tech, though—the main issue was that cotton wasn't native to China. It didn't arrive until the Northern and Southern Dynasties and wasn't grown on a massive scale until the Song and Yuan eras. They even developed cotton armor back then. Without cotton, talking about a textile revolution is just empty chatter.
Himalayan Hermit: God, speaking of which, I'm thinking about India again. They have the world's largest alluvial plain—perfect for farming—but they're separated from us by the Himalayas.
Smug Charioteer: The kicker is that India's historical defense was… well, weak. They were conquered by eleven different ethnic groups in succession. For instance, the Yuezhi—who were at the bottom of the East Asian power hierarchy—went to India, flipped the script, became the overlords, and built the Kushan Empire.
Destiny-Seeking: So, as they say, the destiny of a race depends not only on self-struggle but also on the progress of history. One last thing: if the uploader actually transmigrated with that roll of silk, they'd probably end up being hacked to death. Before the Tang Dynasty, a roll like that was the ultimate passport into high society. People would literally draw blood just to own a piece.]
---
As usual, the Light Screen's appearance was brief, yet intense.
Gongyan finished scribbling the final line:
The next video will be broadcast in three months.
The moment the words were complete, he dropped the brush and collapsed into his chair in utter exhaustion.
Liu Bei noticed the weariness etched across his face.
"Gongyan, Jichang, the two of you have worked tirelessly. The kitchen roasted some mutton legs this morning. Take two each home and recover."
Jichang and Gongyan bowed in gratitude.
The moment Jichang heard the words, he immediately thought of his younger brother.
Ever since Youchang had arrived in Gong'an, he had developed an inexplicable fondness for mutton.
Two roasted legs would surely keep him delighted for quite some time.
Among the group, the one whose eyes shone brightest was Lady Huang Yueying.
Without wasting a moment, she pulled over a fresh sheet of paper and carefully transcribed the two points concerning spinning-wheel technology. She was the first to leave.
Liu Bei watched her retreating figure with sincere admiration.
"Lady Huang truly is a peerless talent among women."
He exchanged a glance with Shiyuan, who clearly shared the sentiment.
Kongming, however, understood her better than anyone.
He shook his head with a small, knowing smile.
"For the past few months, my wife has been obsessed with improving the paddle-wheel design."
"She wishes to connect various mechanisms to the wheel in order to save human labor. She even developed a water-powered Eight-Ox Crossbow."
He gave a short laugh. Apparently, after finishing that monstrous device, she had found a fresh spark of inspiration.
At present, her chambers were buried beneath mountain-like piles of ship blueprints.
"After seeing the Light Screen, she likely realized she had completely overlooked the spinning wheel."
"In her urgency, she has most likely rushed back to the workshop to begin research."
Liu Bei nodded.
"Everything Lady Huang creates benefits the livelihood of the people."
"She is a blessing to the Han."
"A blessing to the common people."
Then his expression shifted.
"This cotton... The future seems to place great importance upon it."
Yide, never one for subtleties, immediately cut in.
"If we can grow armor and weapons straight from the ground, we will be unstoppable!"
Kongming reached for the map he had previously copied from the Light Screen, the one detailing Great Han and Great Qin.
He spread it out.
"India, the land of Shendu. It has cotton, fertile soil, and weak defenses. However, the route is the problem."
Shiyuan furrowed his brow.
Even on this simplified map, the obstacle was painfully obvious.
Between Han and Shendu stood a single mountain range.
Yet that single range was a divine barrier.
Stretching from the northern seas to the western regions, it stood like a heaven-sealing curtain, cutting off the shortest route between the two lands.
"It is too early to debate this," Kongming said softly.
"Since we now know this ancient Shendu Road exists, we may eventually offer bounties to merchants and see whether they can bring back cotton seeds."
The others nodded.
For now, that was indeed the only viable option.
As the group looked on with lingering longing, Kongming slowly rolled up the map.
In the past, he had often lamented the limits of his knowledge concerning the world's vastness.
But now, after glimpsing even a fragment of the globe, a grand ambition had taken root.
Never before had Kongming felt such an urgent desire to defeat the usurper Cao Cao.
Crush the Cao traitors.
Pacify Wu.
The world was vast.
And Kongming wished to see it all.
---
The mutton legs had been roasted to perfection.
On the way home, Jichang had secretly torn off a small piece to taste.
The flavor was indeed mouthwatering.
What he could not understand, however, was why Youchang insisted on chopping the meat into chunks, placing it into a ceramic pot with water, and boiling it again before eating.
It was late January.
Winter in Jing Province had reached its harshest point.
After the meal, the brothers extinguished the lamp and lay side by side beneath the covers for warmth.
"Brother, is the Lord about to mobilize the troops?"
Youchang's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
Jichang shifted slightly.
"Do you seek a position as Army Advisor? He knew his younger brother had been obsessed with military strategy since childhood.
Whenever warfare was discussed, Youchang's insights were always lofty and far-reaching.
But...
Jichang fell silent.
Ever since being invited into the inner circle that discussed the Light Screen's revelations, he had been plagued by a conflict in his heart.
Because when he reviewed the earlier records, the Light Screen had explicitly mentioned one name.
Ma Su.
[After Ma Su lost Jieting, Shu Han's fate was sealed.]
Those had been the exact words.
Whether it was Jieting or Youchang himself, the Light Screen had never brought it up again.
But Jichang knew Kongming's temperament.
The Military Advisor had certainly taken those words to heart.
That was precisely why, for the past year, every task assigned to Ma Su had been strictly civil.
Administrative.
Never military.
Ma Su performed his duties diligently.
Yet the frustration during his idle hours was impossible to miss.
Civil office was not bad. But what was the point of all those years spent studying military classics if none of it could ever be used?
Besides... The Light Screen had never explained the circumstances behind the so-called loss of Jieting.
Perhaps it had been unavoidable.
Perhaps it had been merely the first of many setbacks.
Perhaps Youchang had already done everything he could.
Perhaps...
"Brother!" Youchang's earnest voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Jichang turned onto his back and stared into the darkness.
"I will speak with the Lord tomorrow. Whether it happens or not will be for the Lord to decide."
Ignoring his younger brother's muffled cheer of excitement, Jichang slowly closed his eyes.
At the end of the day, this was still his own brother.
Putting in a word was hardly a burden.
If Liu Bei refused, he would simply say that the Lord did not approve.
---
The next morning, Kongming sought out his Lord carrying a stack of official documents awaiting signature.
"I have said before, Kongming, you may handle these matters yourself."
Liu Bei rubbed his temples with a faint headache as he pulled over a small table and began processing the papers.
They were currently at the county office's training grounds.
Kongming glanced toward two young officers squaring off like a pair of angry roosters.
He shot Liu Bei a questioning look.
"Ma Zhong and Ma Su," Liu Bei explained.
"Ma Su is an excellent civil official, but he insists on joining the military and is utterly obsessed with tactics."
"As for Ma Zhong..."
He scratched his head.
"The Light Screen identified him as a great talent."
"But the boy is completely illiterate, and all he wants is to lead troops into battle."
"I put them together to see what would happen."
"I did not expect Ma Su's tongue to be so sharp that they would end up trying to kill one another."
As Kongming sorted the signed documents into separate stacks, he offered a suggestion.
"Yunchqng once persuaded Yide to study in Jiangling."
"Why not try the same approach with Ma Zhong?"
"A general who leads troops must eventually learn to read the world."
"One may rely on raw bravery in youth. But once the body weakens with age, how can one continue relying upon bloodlust alone?"
Liu Bei nodded.
"Very well. Ma Su is full of scholarly knowledge."
"Let him be the one to persuade Ma Zhong to study."
Kongming looked toward the two young men, who had already started brawling in the distance, and let out a faint chuckle.
"My Lord may wish to suggest that Ma Su use a little provocation."
"It is usually more effective."
Liu Bei's eyes lit up.
"Excellent. Let us try that."
As Kongming carried the processed documents back toward the side hall, a thunderous shout erupted from the rear courtyard.
"MA YOUCHANG, PREPARE TO DIE!"
Kongming stretched lazily and shook his head.
Young people truly had too much energy.
---
In Jiangling, Yunchang was personally inspecting his war fleet.
After manually operating one of the ships according to a craftsman's instructions, his expression grew increasingly satisfied.
He beckoned Gan Gui forward.
"General Guan!"
In less than two months, Gan Gui had been completely won over by Yunchang's aura.
His eyes brimmed with reverence.
This was the legendary general who had slain Yan Liang.
More importantly, this was the man who had remained loyal despite gold and titles.
Just like his father Gan Xingba, Gan Gui respected heroes above all else.
"This warship was designed by Lady Huang. Gan Gui, you are an expert in naval warfare."
"Give me your assessment."
Gan Gui studied the vessel carefully.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen on the Yangtze.
Most river vessels were light and agile, built for boarding actions.
Because the river was not overly wide, large ships were often too clumsy to maneuver.
But this vessel was sizeable.
Judging by the deck, it had clearly been modified from an older large ship.
The most striking features were the two repeating crossbows mounted along the sides.
Each was fitted with three unnaturally massive bows.
Then there was the circular mechanism at the stern.
Gan Gui recognized it immediately.
He had already seen many such devices being constructed around Gong'an and Jiangling.
"A paddle wheel?" He recalled the term.
"This is a Paddle-Wheel Ship," Yunchang said, clearly fascinated by Huang Yueying's design.
"Come. Lend a hand." He signaled for a squad of personal guards.
Together with Gan Gui, they descended into the belly of the ship.
Yunchang explained the operation.
"Step on the pedals."
"Brace your back against the cabin wall."
"Keep the cycle going."
The process was simple enough.
Gan Gui gripped the handrails.
Then he watched in stunned awe as Yunchang removed his outer robes, bared his upper body, and planted himself at a set of pedals.
With a rhythmic chant, the men began pedaling in unison.
Gan Gui immediately felt the stern wheel begin to rotate.
Half-submerged in the water, it churned the river and drove the ship forward.
This was an entirely new kind of warship.
Gan Gui instantly understood the implications.
Compared to the ships he knew, both had their strengths.
Though he was no shipwright, he was a veteran of river warfare.
He could tell at once.
This ship would be difficult to turn.
Suddenly, Yunchang roared:
"Engage the winch!"
"Engage the winch!"
The command was echoed above deck.
Gan Gui immediately felt the pedals become far heavier.
At the same moment, a bone-chilling mechanical groan filled the hull.
The massive bows of the repeating crossbows...
were being drawn back by the power of the pedals.
So that was how they cocked the weapon.
Gan Gui kept his legs moving, but his mind was racing.
If those monstrous bolts were fired at enemy ships...
or loosed against army formations and city walls from the river...
what then?
In a daze, he realized something.
Naval warfare on the Yangtze might never be the same again.