Bai Yuan had achieved a resounding victory, restoring his fatherly dignity by stepping on his own son, his satisfaction bubbling into a hearty laugh.
When he turned back after laughing, he saw Liang Shixian gazing at him with fervent eyes: “Mr. Bai, you mentioned ‘Twelve Heavenly Books’ earlier. What exactly are those?”
Bai Yuan intended to take out “Elementary Math,” but a thought struck him: no, these texts were granted to him by the Deity. He couldn’t casually share them without the Deity’s permission.
Just as he hesitated, he spotted Gao Yiye step forward behind Liang Shixian and give him a subtle nod.
Bai Yuan understood: the Deity had conveyed his will through the Saint Lady. Relieved, he swiftly produced a volume of “Elementary Math,” holding it out for Liang Shixian to see: “County Lord, this book was bestowed upon me by a Deity from the heavens. There are twelve volumes in total. Every mathematical problem presented earlier can be found within these pages.”
Liang Shixian automatically filtered out the “bestowed by a Deity” part with selective hearing. As an intellectual adhering to “do not speak of extraordinary things” and “respect spirits but keep a distance,” pretending not to hear was the only respectable response.
But the book itself? That was definitely worth a closer look!
Taking “Elementary Math – Grade 1, Volume 1,” he flipped through it. Initially baffled by the Arabic numerals and symbols, this wasn’t a significant hurdle. Within the time it took half an incense stick to burn, he was rapidly turning pages. Finishing the first volume in quick succession, his spirits soared: “Mr. Bai, this is truly a divine book!”
Bai Yuan chuckled. “I did tell you it was given by a Deity.”
He started to say “widely taught,” but his words froze mid-sentence. Excitement gave way to despondency: “Unfortunately, mathematics isn’t part of the imperial examinations. Most scholars look down on it, disdaining its study. Although my Clerk might find it quite interesting.”
Bai Yuan glanced at Gao Yiye, who was nodding vigorously again. Understanding, he pushed the entire twelve-volume set of “Elementary Math” towards Liang Shixian. “County Lord, regardless of whether it’s part of the examinations, if you deem it useful – or believe someone like your Clerk can make use of it – then there will surely be those willing to learn. Please accept this set of Heavenly Books. You may choose willing individuals to teach.”
Liang Shixian’s spirit surged anew. “Such a divine book… gifted to me?”
Bai Yuan: “Is there anything better than giving a prized book to one who appreciates its worth?”
Overflowing with joy, Liang Shixian hastily flipped up the hem of his official robe, using it to carefully wrap and bundle the twelve volumes. “Then, your humble servant accepts with deepest gratitude.”
Possessing this divine treasure, he could no longer concentrate on staying. Eager to delve into the texts and needing to organize the militia local gentry for Fengyuan Town’s defense, he bowed to Bai Yuan. “Mr. Bai, since you are familiar with the Li Family, coordinating the militia resistance against the Huanglong Mountain bandits can be left to your arrangements. I shall return to the county seat now.” Google seaʀᴄh novel⸺fire.net
Bai Yuan cupped his fist in salute.
Joyfully carrying his divine books, Liang Shixian departed.
Bai Yuan and Thirty-Two saw him off. Only once he was out of sight did a peculiar look cross Bai Yuan’s face. “I never imagined this Liang Shixian enjoys playing with numbers. Most officials I’ve met regard arithmetic as a minor path, unworthy of serious study.”
Thirty-Two smiled faintly. “Among the officials I know, he is indeed unconventional. Think about it, had he not been rather unique, why else would he have been assigned to Chengcheng County at this specific time?”
Bai Yuan’s heart clenched as he suddenly understood. The disastrous state Chengcheng County was in when Liang Shixian assumed office was obvious even to a blind man. Sending him into such a predicament clearly meant the Eunuch Party intended to bury him there!
Of course! It all made sense!
Thirty-Two: “The Deity bestowing the divine books upon Liang must be seeking to pass down practical knowledge for statecraft and governance through his hands, reaching more people.”
Bai Yuan naturally grasped the Deity’s intention and nodded. “It’s a pity those willing to learn such miscellaneous knowledge grow ever fewer. Scholars obsess solely over the Four Books and Five Classics, dulling their minds into stupidity. Look to our ancient sages – the Six Arts of Gentlemen were all practical skills.”
Thirty-Two cast a sidelong glance, initially tempted to retort. But upon reflection, Bai Yuan wasn’t wrong – the Six Arts were practical skills – so he held his tongue this time.
Bai Yuan: “Alright, major business concluded. Now for some lesser chores. My visit to Gaojia Village this time was, again, to seek assistance…”
Thirty-Two gestured upwards with a smile: “Look to the heavens.”
Lifting his head, Bai Yuan saw that chaotic equipment – the celestial catapult, Giant Crossbow Vehicle, and block missiles – was descending once more. Outside the fortress gate, Solar Vehicle No. 3, a massive cargo hauler, stood ready.
Additionally, over a hundred members of the Gaojia Village Militia were assembled and prepared for departure.
Leading them stood a masked militia instructor who seemed faintly familiar to Bai Yuan. Hadn’t he seen this man somewhere before?
Puzzled, Bai Yuan inquired: “This person?”
Thirty-Two grinned. “In recent months, we’ve established our own militia. We can now send the Gaojia Village Militia to reinforce Bai Family Fortress. The instructor was personally appointed by the Deity. Should you face challenges during the battle, Mr. Bai, it would be wise to heed his counsel.”
Bai Yuan nodded. “Since it’s the Deity’s choice, he must be a capable man. I’ll seek his advice should difficulties arise.”
Meanwhile, unaware of being discussed, Cheng Xu was bustling about, overseeing the militia’s preparations. “Everyone, dawn your armor! Check your gear! Hand crossbows! Spears! Waist knives! Arrows! …And that pouch of healing ointment specifically mentioned by the Deity! Forget one thing, and I’ll make you run twenty laps around Bai Family Fortress!”
The hundred-plus militia members frantically inventoried their equipment.
Alongside them, a large group of labor offenders were busily loading supplies onto Solar Vehicle No. 3 – hand crossbows, arrows, spears, armor, flour, powdered milk, oil, salt, sugar, and more…
A quick glance made Bai Yuan start. “Good heavens! Smuggling these forbidden weapons and armor into Bai Family Fortress? I’m… a bit… concerned…”
Thirty-Two countered with a smile: “Fear not! The Deity has declared the authorities have no time to concern themselves with such matters.”
Bai Yuan considered this and agreed. Officials were overwhelmed dealing with bands of spreading bandits nationwide – how could they spare effort to police a militia’s use of forbidden gear?
He recalled the pirate troubles along the southern coast long ago, where local gentry privately forged firearms and rattan armor to defend themselves. The court initially cracked down hard on the most brazen offenders but soon realized – it was unmanageable. Utterly unmanageable!
Without arming themselves, coastal villagers faced certain death by pirate blades long before officials arrived for arrests. Under such dire circumstances, who cared if firearms and armor were illegal? Arm yourself first with illegal weapons to survive – you could always argue the nuances of “The Great Ming Code” later.
Once the court grasped this reality, it turned a blind eye. Even after the pirates were subdued and the court finally turned its attention back to illicit arms, private possession was already so widespread that authorities again adopted an approach of deliberate oversight.
And truth be told – forget ancient times! Even in the modern era, if zombies attacked? If Li Daoxuan could get his hands on a gun, he’d take it immediately, legality be damned!