Just as Zhong Gaoliang was celebrating becoming a commoner once more,
In the north, in Qingjian County,
A scholar named Zhao Sheng was reading late into the night under the lamplight within Shiyou Temple.
Despite numerous attempts, Zhao Sheng had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, unable to secure an official rank. However, he had good character. Whenever villagers nearby needed help writing a home letter or reading an official announcement, he assisted them.
In his spare time, he would also share stories from books with the nearby villagers, earning their great affection.
That night, he was utterly absorbed in his reading at Shiyou Temple when a little monk rushed in, urgently whispering, “Mr. Zhao! Run!”
The little monk lowered his voice, “The authorities are coming to arrest you! Someone falsely spread rumors that you, lighting a lamp late at night in this lonely temple, were secretly compiling military texts and plotting rebellion, just like Huang Chao depicted in Xiang Ping’s tales…”
Zhao Sheng was shocked: “How could such rumors arise?”
Indeed, tensions ran high in Qingjian County at that time. Uprisings were breaking out across Shaanxi province, keeping the authorities on high alert. Any whisper of rebellion, regardless of its truth, prompted an immediate arrest. Suspects were often tortured until they confessed.
Zhao Sheng gritted his teeth. Damn it! All I want is to focus on my studies, pass the next imperial examinations, achieve success on the golden list, and bring honor to my ancestors. Why must they treat me this way?
He hurriedly gathered his books and fled through the temple’s rear door.
He made his way to Jiejia Valley, but a large group of bailiffs pursued him closely. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel-fire.net
Zhao Sheng was just a frail, bookish scholar, unused to physical exertion. He was no match for the bailiffs’ pace. Just as he was about to be caught, thunderous cries erupted from the surrounding fields. A mass of common people surged forward, wielding pitchforks, wooden clubs, and other makeshift weapons.
“Damn the government! Don’t lay a hand on Mr. Zhao!”
“Mr. Zhao is a good man! You arrest him without discerning right from wrong! Vilifying the innocent!”
“I’ve rebelled today!”
“Kill these damned bailiffs!”
A sea of commoners poured out, instantly crushing the bailiffs to dust.
Chongzhen Year One, Late April, Early Morning.
Li Da burst out of the blacksmith’s shop. Clutching a small spring, he threw his head back and laughed boisterously, “HAHAHAHA! Finally! I’ve finally done it! Its springiness is restored! HAHAHAHA! I’ve succeeded!”
Li Daoxuan, who had just woken up and was sitting by a crate chewing a glutinous rice ball, was immediately drawn by the commotion and quickly looked over.
He saw Li Da sprint to the base of the watchtower. Not daring to go up, he craned his neck and shouted towards the third floor, “Saint Lady! Are you awake? Look, look at this!”
Seeing Gao Yiye lean out from her balcony,
Li Da immediately placed the spring between his palms, squeezed hard, and then let go. It sprang apart with a boing.
“See! I’ve succeeded! HAHAHA! I’ve succeeded!”
Gao Yiye no longer had dark circles. Li Daoxuan had recently tried not to call her too often during the day, giving her more time to paint, which allowed her to sleep well at night recently.
She watched Li Da’s demonstration with a smile and then said, “Uncle Li, showing me this isn’t much use. I don’t understand it. But don’t worry, the Deity has already seen it.”
Li Da turned his face to the sky and called out loudly, “Deity! You saw? I… I’ve succeeded… I heated this thing red-hot, then plunged it quickly into cold water. It regained a bit of its spring! It’s not as springy as before yet, but at least it doesn’t flatten entirely under pressure now.”
Li Daoxuan thought to himself: You accidentally discovered the “quenching method,” good job.
However, his method was still crude. The quenching method had more detailed steps, which Li Daoxuan had long researched, but he wasn’t in a hurry to provide them, wanting Li Da to think more on his own.
“Do you know why, after heating it until red-hot and then plunging it into cold water for rapid cooling, the spring regains some elasticity?”
“N… no, I don’t.” Li Da shook his head.
Li Daoxuan sighed inwardly: Just like most ancient technologies in our dynasty, they know the method but not the principle. Alas!
You know water turns to vapor when boiled, but you don’t know that when water is heated, the thermal energy of its molecules increases, raising their average kinetic energy… So even if you know boiling water produces vapor, you still truly understand nothing.
You know heating a spring red-hot and quenching it restores its elasticity, but you don’t realize the quenching method reduces atomic spacing and increases internal stress, thereby restoring the spring’s resilience.
You think you understand, but you really don’t.
All this is due to a lack of foundational science!
Li Daoxuan murmured softly, “Yiye, go summon Daoist Ma.”
Not long after, Ma Tianzheng arrived. Unlike ordinary villagers, upon hearing the Deity’s summons, he instantly beamed with excitement. Reaching the watchtower, he dropped to his knees in a grand Daoist salute: “Disciple Ma Tianzheng awaits your command.”
Li Daoxuan: “Li Da, place the spring into Daoist Ma’s hand. Also, fetch a bag of cement and give it to Daoist Ma.”
Li Da hurriedly complied.
Ma Tianzheng held a bag of cement in one hand and a spring in the other, glancing left and right in utter bewilderment. “Deity, what is your instruction? This disciple… fails to perceive their significance.”
“A glorious and arduous task awaits you.” Li Daoxuan declared. “Take these two items to Waxi Paifangli in Fengxin County, Jiangxi. There, you’ll find a scholar named Song Yingxing, who has repeatedly failed the imperial exams and grown somewhat despondent. Place these items directly into his hands upon finding him. First, demonstrate the spring’s regained elasticity. Then, teach him how to use the cement.”
Ma Tianzheng responded, “A mere journey to Jiangxi poses no hardship, hardly qualifying as arduous. This disciple departs immediately.”
Li Daoxuan: “Very well. Go swiftly. Travel safely.”
Ma Tianzheng vowed, “This disciple would stake his very life to protect these divine artifacts.”
Li Daoxuan shook his head. “Protect yourself. These items can be replaced from Gaojia Village if lost. Your life, once gone, is irrecoverable.”
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ma Tianzheng replied, “The Deity’s benevolence knows no bounds. This humble disciple’s flesh is of little worth.”
He hastily packed his things, tightened his leg wraps, gathered provisions, and concealed the small bag of cement and the spring with great care. Only then did he depart Gaojia Village, setting his course for Jiangxi.
Li Daoxuan turned his attention back to Li Da. He rewarded him with a small silver ball first. “Your research on the spring is truly exceptional. Now, it’s time to tackle the next challenge. While developing the new firearm, remember to train apprentices. Teach them to craft the firearms you’ve mastered. We now have gunpowder. It’s time to produce a batch of transitional firearms.”
Li Da eagerly accepted the order and joyfully returned to the artisans’ well.
Just then, voices rose from the official road outside. Li Daoxuan turned and immediately spotted County Magistrate Liang Shixian and Patrol Officer Fang Wushang approaching, followed by a large contingent of yamen runners and soldiers.
Government officials had arrived for another visit.