It was September, the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. When the forest near and far was gradually dyed grey, Ji Shan District welcomed the last bustling moment of the year.
The black flag with the morning stars fluttered in the wind. A large number of horse caravans gathered here. There were also rice merchants who came with boats. The bustling crowd mostly carried longbows and swords. After several years of operation, the Black Flag Army negotiated with the Ni tribe. The trade routes near Liang Mountain were relatively peaceful. However, for the merchants of the Wu dynasty, the trade between Liang Mountain and the outside world was still a dangerous matter that could not be carried out without courage, strength, and background.
Following the caravans from the Wu dynasty were mostly grain, cotton, and other materials. There were also copper and iron. What was transported away were mostly iron cannons, but there were also exquisite bows, swords, and other weapons. Often, hundreds of horse caravans would bring back several iron and wood cannons, as well as some artillery shells. To the outside world, the Black Flag Army was skilled in craftsmanship. Although iron cannons were expensive, they were now weapons that foreign armies had to buy. Even the wooden cannons had been upgraded by the Black Flag Army with steel and other craftsmanship. The stability and durability of the cannons had greatly increased. Even if they were used as consumables, they could more or less guarantee their chances of winning in future battles.
The three years of bloody battles at Little Cang River was the best advertisement for this new weapon. Putting aside the fight against the Jurchens, the fake Qi army, Tian Hu, and the millions of soldiers came one after another. When the cannons were fired, they immediately knelt on the ground and peed in their pants. According to the latest intelligence, the cannons of the Jurchens had also started to enter the army. In the future, if anyone did not have these cannons, they would basically be eliminated from the war.
Other than the various forces of the Wu dynasty, the regime of Liu Yu in the north was also one of Little Cang River's current trading customers. This trade route was relatively hidden and the trade volume was not large. The main reason was that the distance of resources was too long and the cost was too high. Moreover, it was difficult to guarantee a smooth trade. Ever since the Wu dynasty secretly bought cannons from Little Cang River, the fake Qi warlords had also sent many caravans. They did not transport grain but were willing to transport strategic materials like steel to Little Cang River in exchange for cannons.
Little Cang He pretended not to know about the powers behind these transactions, but last year, Qi General Guan Shihu sent an army of five hundred men to transport iron ingots to exchange for twenty iron cannons. This army directly joined the Black Flag Army after transporting the iron ingots. Guan Shihu was furious. He secretly sent people over to negotiate with Little Cang He, but to no avail. So, he started to spread rumors in private. When the generals of Qi heard about this, they secretly laughed at him. However, the trade between the two countries did not return to normal. It was maintained in a small state.
Their trade with Dali was not limited to war machines.
Even though what first opened Dali's gates was the Black Flag Army's powerful attitude, the most attractive goods also precisely these steel equipment, not long after, Dali's demand for military equipment already decreased. What correspondingly increased were large amounts of exquisitely printed books, decorative objects, perfumes, glass containers, and other things that were close to 'art' in this era. In particular, the 'Classical Collection Edition' Buddhist scriptures were in short supply in Dali's aristocratic market.
Even though the upper echelons of Dali always wanted to close and restrict the trade with Black Flag Army, when the door was knocked open, the Black Flag Army's merchants lobbied and exaggerated in various ways in Dali, making it impossible to close this trade door. Because of this, Black Flag Army was able to obtain a large amount of food to satisfy their internal needs.
The current Mountain Market was already a city with close to sixty thousand residents and soldiers. The city was distributed along the river in a long and narrow shape. Upstream was the barracks, fields, and residences. In the middle of the river, near the pier was the commercial area for the outside world. This was where the Black Flag Army's personnel worked. Towards the west of the mountain range, there were concentrated workshops, iron smelting, and gun factories that emitted thick smoke. Downstream, there were also some military, glass, paper, and printing factories. More than ten water turbines were connected by the river. Every factory had a chimney that spewed out black smoke. This was a rare and novel scene in this era, and it also had an astonishing momentum.
Ever since Ning Yi came to this era, he had been experimenting with physics and chemistry on his own, researching with the craftsmen in small workshops, and experiencing the threat and baptism of the flames of war. After more than ten years, the present Mountain Market was the industrial foundation of Black Flag.
Due to the addition of the northwestern residents and northern refugees, there were some small workshops and all kinds of food and beverage shops here. However, the vast majority of these were the industries currently operated by Black Flag Army. In the several years of war, Black Flag Army had ensured the survival of the craftsmen. The division of labor of the assembly line was already practiced in various places. It was no longer appropriate to call it a workshop. Patches of them could already be considered factories.
Nearly nine thousand Black Flag elites were gathered here to ensure that the technology here would not be easily explored by the outside world. This also made it so that no matter what kind of background the escorts, soldiers, or Ni people who came to Mountain Market, none of them dared to rashly act here.
Over the past several years, although the specific technology had not been leaked to the outside world, Black Flag Army had opened up its basic concepts to the outside world. In the bazaar, the booklets first compiled by Ning Yi and the others, such as' A Preliminary Exploration of Things' and 'The Theory of All Things', were sold extremely cheaply. From the basic principles of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, they finally rendered the idea that as long as one had enough computing power and deep exploration, one could study the prospects of all things in the world … The development of these theories in Europe may have been extremely tortuous, but in the East, people actually did not have many taboos when it came to investigating things. Moreover, Ning Yi had already committed a treasonous act like regicide, so the outside world actually viewed these things more calmly.
These booklets had been secretly leaked. The Wu dynasty, Dali, the Central Plains, and various other forces had studied them in private, but the ones who paid the most attention were most likely Jun Wu's Institute of Physics and the Jurchen's Wanyan Xiyin. Dali was a peaceful country and had little interest in making weapons. The people in the Central Plains had no way of making a living, and the warlords had strong goals. Even if they took a few of these booklets and threw them to the craftsmen, the craftsmen who had no foundation would not be able to understand it. As for the many officials and great scholars of the Wu dynasty, they often burned the booklets to ashes after casually flipping through them. On one hand, they felt that this kind of fallacious reasoning and heresy was not good for the world, and on the other hand, they were afraid of leaving behind something that could be used against them. Therefore, even though Nanwu's literary style was flourishing and there was no harm in cursing the country at many literary conferences, the discussion of these things was still considered a treasonous act.
In Jishan, the discussion of physics within the Black Flag Industrial System had already become a trend. At first, it was Ning Yi's exaggeration, then it was later exaggerated by the political department's propagandists. Until now, people had already vaguely seen the future of physics from the source. For example, building a cannon that could penetrate a mountain with one shot, or the steam engine prototype that Ning Yi had envisioned and was currently the focus of the current assault, or the armored war chariot that could gallop without horses, or large airships equipped with guns and cannons, and so on. Many people already believed that even if it could not be done now, it would definitely appear in the future.
Located near the military camp upstream, in the Jishan Institute of Physics of the Huaxia Military Engineering Department, a discussion about physics was going on. At this time, the Huaxia Military Engineering Department not only included industry, but also agriculture, wartime logistics, and other things. The research institute of the engineering department was divided into two parts. The main part was in Hedeng, which was internally called the Upper House. The other half was arranged in Jishan, which was commonly called the Lower House.
In the past few years, this was probably the most extraordinary discussion for the research institute. After a few years, Ning Yi finally appeared in front of everyone.
"… Regarding the future, I think the most important node is an independent power system. As mentioned before, the steam engine … We need to solve the problems of steel materials and casting cutting, the problem of lubrication, and the problem of sealing … In the next few years, I'm afraid that war is still our most important thing at present, but we might as well pay attention to it as a technical accumulation … In order to solve the problem of chamber explosion, we need better steel, a more reasonable carbon content, and in order to have greater artillery power, the artillery shell and the chamber must be closer together. These things are used in the gun, the bullet of the gun can reach two hundred feet away. Although it is not very accurate, the big chamber that exploded, the one or two failures are all technical accumulation in this area … In addition, in the use of the water wheel, we have improved a lot in terms of lubrication, and every link has improved a lot … "
"… Other than physics, in the chemical aspect, the explosion is already quite dangerous. Those in charge of this, please be careful … But there must be a safe way to use it, and there must be a way to produce it on a large scale …"
"… In the agricultural aspect, don't always feel that it is useless. These few years of fighting, we have also been running around. This aspect needs time to settle, and we haven't seen the results yet, but I think that this is the most important part of the future …"
The discussion was basically the progress report of the Chinese military. After the report, Ning Yi gave a conclusion. The two hundred people below were mostly craftsmen, and many of them were illiterate at the start. In the first few years, Ning Yi could only give tasks, and there was no need for discussion. In the recent three to five years, the initial enlightenment was gradually completed, and some of the young students taught by Ning Yi were also added. That was why the discussion had such a meaning. Some people's eyes lit up, and they nodded. Some blinked, trying their best to understand.
At the back of the hall, the thirteen-year-old Ning Xi sat there, holding a brush and writing. Sitting beside her was the young girl Min Chuyi, who had been inseparable from Ning Xi ever since she learned martial arts from Hong Ti. She blinked, and her face was filled with the expression of "I don't understand, but I think it's amazing". She was still a little reserved sitting next to Ning Xi.
Ning Xi was innocent when she was young, and often played with Min Chuyi. For a period of time, they were inseparable playmates. When Ning Yi and the others saw this, they felt that it was a good thing. Hence, Hong Ti took Chuyi in as a disciple, hoping that Ning Xi would have someone to protect her.
As they grew older, their personalities became different. After the three-year battle at Little Cang River, everyone went south, and after the news of Ning Yi's death spread, to prevent the child from accidentally revealing the truth, even Ning Xi's family didn't tell her the truth. After her father "died", Xiaoning Xi was determined to protect her family, and buried her head in her studies. Compared to before, she was much quieter.
Min Chuyi's family was poor at the start, and her parents were honest people. Even though Ning Yi and the others didn't care, but slowly, she treated herself as Ning Xi's bodyguard. When she was twelve or thirteen, she had matured and was a head taller than Ning Xi. Ning Xi took care of her brothers and family, and got along well with the other children in the Black Flag Army. However, she felt uncomfortable with Min Chuyi by her side, and often wanted to shake her off. Because of this, even though Tan 'er liked Chuyi, and even had the thought of betrothing them when they were young, Ning Xi and Min Chuyi were in an awkward period.
Recently, when Ning Yi "suddenly" returned, Ning Xi, who thought her father was dead, was in a mess. The last time she saw Ning Yi was four years ago. Her state of mind when she was nine was completely different from when she was thirteen. She wanted to get close, but was shy, and hated the awkwardness. In this era, there was a lot of etiquette between the emperor and his subjects, between the younger generation and the older generation. Ning Xi had received this education. Ning Yi treated children with a modern mentality, relatively casual and casual, the kind that they could play together from time to time. At this time, he didn't know what to do with this awkward thirteen-year-old. In the half a month after returning home, the two could only feel the distance between them and let nature take its course.
He got along better with the other children. The ten-year-old Ning Ji was good at martial arts, and his sword techniques and fist techniques were pretty good. Recently, he had lost a few teeth, and he pursed his lips and did not speak at all. He was very cold and aloof, but he had no resistance to the stories of the martial world. He also admired his father quite a lot. Ning Yi told the children about how he killed Lu Tuo and the others on their way home.
"… He wanted to stand out because he was good at martial arts, but in the fight in the forest, they were losing. Lu Tuo shouted, 'Run! They can't stop me!' He wanted his henchmen to escape, so he slashed at Uncle Du, Uncle Fang, and the others. He's a big shot in the north, and he's very arrogant when he wants to make a scene. But I happened to be here, so he couldn't escape … I blocked him and exchanged two blows with him. Then, I hit his head with the Heaven Flipping Seal. His henchmen didn't run far before they saw him fall to the ground … Hey, we even caught a few of them this time … "
Ning Ji and five year old Ning He listened with bright eyes, and they were full of admiration. Later, Ning Yi told them about what he saw in Tian Hu's territory in the north, and the fight between Lin E Chan and Shi Jin, "That fat monk didn't dare to come, or I would teach him a lesson" and so on.
Eight year old Wenwen was like her name, good at literature and not good at martial arts. She was a quiet little girl who loved to listen to stories. She was carefully taught by Yun Zhu, and since she was a child, she felt that her father was the most talented person in the world, and she didn't need to be brainwashed by Ning Yi again. In addition, five year old Ning Ke was enthusiastic, and Ning Shuang and Ning Ning were only three years old, and they became close to Ning Yi after spending two days with him.
One day, Ning Yi came to Mount Ji. Among the children, Ning Xi was the only one who could understand and was interested in it. They walked together, and after the meeting, they walked around the streets of Mount Ji. The market not far away was very lively, and a group of peddlers blocked the place where the county government used to be, and they were in a fierce mood. Ning Yi took the children to a nearby teahouse to see what was going on. Recently, the iron cannon in Mount Ji announced a price increase again, and everyone came to ask.
The government personnel of Black Flag were explaining.
"… At the beginning of July, everyone knew about the rebellion in Tian Hu's power. After Tian Hu's rebellion, 'Hungry Ghost' launched an attack north of the Yellow River. In the south, there was a second battle in Xiangyang, and the Beiwei Army defeated the allied forces of Jin and Qi. Although the Jurchen people have reprimanded and warned, they haven't taken any action so far. According to the reaction of the Jurchen court, it is very likely that there will be a big move … "
"… Outside, you can say that the Wu dynasty and the Huaxia army are irreconcilable enemies, but even if we killed the Emperor, we still have a common enemy. If the Jurchen come, we don't want the Wu dynasty to lose. Once they lose, it will be a disaster, and the world will fall! To deal with this, we have decided that all the workshops will work hard, and prepare for war without caring about losses! The price of the cannons will increase by 30%, and at the same time, our orders will increase by 50%. You can choose not to accept it, and when the war is over, the price will naturally be lowered. You can buy it then … "
"… The situation is urgent, and the decision to raise the price will not be changed in two years. The price of the cannons will only rise and not fall! Like before, the price might be adjusted, but everything will be based on what we agreed on when we signed the contract. Go back and tell the people behind you that we won't force you to buy it or not … "
How could everyone accept such an explanation so easily? There were all kinds of voices in front. Some people reprimanded Black Flag for raising the price, while others said that in the past, everyone transported rations to the mountain. Now that Black Flag had turned against them, there were naturally people who rushed to sign a contract with Black Flag. The scene was noisy and lively. Ning Xi looked at all of this and frowned. After a moment, she asked, "Father, are we going to fight?"
"It is still early, don't worry."
"En." Ning Xi nodded her head, after a moment, "Father, I am not worried."
Ning Yi looked at the kid beside him and suddenly smiled. He understood. For a long time, Black Flag's propaganda was tragic and generous. Even kids didn't fear war, the majority were those who wanted to fight. He patted Ning Xi's shoulder, "This war might end after your generation matures. But don't worry, we will defeat those bastards."
"En." Ning Xi nodded gloomily.
Everyone looked for a moment. Ning Yi said to Ning Xi, "Why don't you all go out to play?" Ning Xi nodded, "Okay."
"Bring Chuyi to the market. You are a boy, you need to learn how to take care of people."
Ning Yi smiled and said. When he said that, Ning Xi became a little nervous. A 12-year-old boy would always feel awkward with girls around him. The two of them were originally a little conflicted, but when Ning Yi said that, it became more obvious. Seeing the two of them leave, he sent the few people around him away. When he closed the door, only he and Hongti were left in the room.
There was still some noise outside the window. Ning Yi sat down on the chair and opened his arms to Hong Ti. Hong Ti pursed her lips and came over to sit in his arms. Ning Yi didn't care about etiquette. To an old couple, they were used to such intimacy.
In the two years that Ning Yi left Hedeng County, Yun Zhu, Jin Er and the others would sneak over to see him. Only Tan Er and Hongti hadn't seen each other for four years. The day they returned home, Ning Yi and Tan Er went to Su Yu's grave to pay their respects. Hongti led people to clear out the traitors. After they finished, it was late at night. Ning Yi waited for her to come back and whispered to her. Then he pulled her and Tan Er to sleep together.
Red Ti and Tan Er did not refuse, but the three of them were not in the mood to mess around when they lay together. They held hands and chatted in low voices until the wee hours of the morning. Then, they snuggled up to each other and fell asleep. The next day, Ning Yi felt that it was more romantic to sleep separately.
The family had been separated for too long, and they needed time to adapt to each other. After Ning Yi came back, he did not have time to relax. These days, he had been working and flirting with the people around him. Now, he could be considered to have stolen half a day of leisure. Ning Yi usually liked to see his wife, who was highly skilled in martial arts, shy and submissive. However, sitting here today, he did not do anything that a husband and wife would do. Listening to the sounds outside, he poured himself a cup of tea and chatted with Hongti while waiting for something to happen.
"I don't think it's good to scheme against your own children," Hongti said softly as she rested her chin on his shoulder.
"… Yes." Ning Yi took a sip of tea.
…
Ning Xi and Chuchu walked through the streets one after the other. The thirteen year old youth actually had delicate and pretty features. His brows were slightly furrowed, looking a bit calm and dignified. However, right now, his gaze was a bit restless. When they walked past a relatively secluded place, the young lady behind them leaned over.
"You …" Ning Xi didn't want to walk side by side with her. From a certain perspective, even though he could be considered the 'crown prince' of the Black Flag Army, in reality, he wasn't too delicate — at least not on the surface. He was usually easygoing and liked to help others. When he followed everyone south, the scenes of suffering and death made him especially treasure the people around him. Many times, when he helped out, he didn't fear hard work, not willing to stop until he was covered in sweat.
Only, towards the young lady beside him, that was a different emotion. He didn't like people of the same age always having thoughts of 'protecting him', as if she was a level lower than him. We all grew up together, why should she protect me? If they encountered an enemy, what if she died? Of course, if it was someone else following him, he wouldn't feel this awkward. The thirteen year old youth still couldn't sense these things.
"Someone is following us …" Chuchu lowered his head and said softly. The youth's gaze calmed down, looking at the alley ahead, preparing to shout the moment he saw the patrolmen.
However, things happened faster than he imagined.
The person behind suddenly closed in. Min Chuchu turned and pulled out his sword, "Who is it —" That person's voice was hoarse, "Haha, Ning Yi's son?"
The figures crossed, the young lady who received Hong Ti's teachings danced in the air. However, that person's sharp fist wind had already knocked down a shed, wood splinters flying. Ning Xi walked forward, shouting, "Spy — come quickly —" She picked up a wooden stick and turned around. Min Chuchu said, "Ning Xi, run —" Before he finished, that person's palm landed on her shoulder.
Min Chuchu took several steps back, almost knocking into Ning Xi. He said, "Go!" Ning Xi shouted, "Take him down!" She held the wooden stick and struck out. But in just two moves, the stick was broken by a fist. A huge power surged towards her. Ning Xi's chest tightened and her hands hurt. That person punched a second time.
Min Chuchu charged up from the side, his sword forcing the fist back. Ning Xi took two steps back and Min Chuchu exchanged two blows with the masked man. His fist wind was like a surging river, about to hit Ning Xi's head. He had been taught by famous teachers since young, in terms of martial arts, his teacher was Red Ti, Watermelon, and Chen Fan. Even if he wasn't talented in this area and wasn't interested, it was enough to see that the other party was terrifyingly strong. At that moment, Ning Xi waved the broken stick to counter. Min Chuchu pounced over and hugged him. The two of them flew out and blood splashed onto his face.
"Run …"
The girl's voice was close to a moan. Ning Xi fell to the ground, her mind was blank. After all, he hadn't been on the battlefield and facing absolute strength, how could he react so quickly at such a critical moment? Just at that moment, he heard someone shout, "Who is it …" "Stop!"
The sounds of fighting could be heard, and more people came. The assassin flew far away, and in the blink of an eye, he was out of sight. Ning Xi sat up from the ground, his hands trembling. He carried the girl's soft body and watched as blood flowed out from her mouth, dyeing half her face red. The girl tried her best to smile at him. He was stunned and tears came out. "Oi, oi, you … Doctor, come quickly …"
A moment later, he tried his best to calm himself down. He looked at the girl's condition and carried her, shouting as he ran out of the alley …
…
"… Yes." In the room, Ning Yi drank tea, "Unfortunately … There is no normal environment for him to grow up. There are some setbacks, let's simulate it first … "
Red Ti looked at him, "You are afraid too."
"Mmh, very afraid." Ning Yi tightened his grip on her. After a moment, he said, "I'll tell him when he's thirty."
A commotion could be heard from afar. Hongti stood up, and Ning Yi nodded at her. His wife's figure had already leaped out of the window. She flew along the eaves and tiles, and with a few leaps, she disappeared into the distant alley.
Ning Yi pushed open the door and walked out. His brows were tightly knitted. The people around him had already caught up and followed him down quickly. "What happened? Tell everyone to hold their positions. What's there to panic about …" The people around him had already started moving.
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