Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 327 Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Three times urgent!
Inside the headquarters of the two armies of Jingdong, Su Wu was waiting for someone named Ling Zhen, whose nickname in the martial arts world was Thunderclap.

Ling Zhen arrived quickly and stood in front of Su Wu, looking somewhat nervous. He hadn't seen this Su Wu for a long time. The Su Wu he had met before was just the military commander of Dongping Prefecture, but the Su Wu he saw now was the famous Prince of Langya.

Ling Zhen greeted the Prince with utmost caution: "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Su Wu smiled warmly and said, "No need to address me as Your Highness, please sit down!"

Ling Zhen bowed again, looked around as if searching for a seat, or even unsure where to sit...

Su Wu smiled kindly and said, "Hey, sit closer, I have many things to discuss with you today!"

Ling Zhen bowed again, then moved a step to Su Wu's left, and then sat down on the chair on Su Wu's right.

"I summoned you here for a chat... You're a seasoned clerk in the armory of Tokyo, experienced and knowledgeable. I kept you in Tokyo because I've been busy and haven't had many opportunities to visit or ask about you, but I've already given you instructions. Whatever money you need, whatever goods you want to buy, the yamen will take care of it..."

Su Wu explained slowly.

Ling Zhen nodded repeatedly: "The yamen's funds and provisions have never been lacking, so I know that you attach great importance to the matter of Lei Pao. I have not dared to slack off in the slightest and have always done my job diligently..."

"Then tell me what tasks you've been doing..." Su Wu asked.

Ling Zhen became increasingly nervous. He had actually spent quite a bit of money these past few days, and now it was time to deliver the results, so he was afraid that Su Xianggong would not be satisfied.

"No need to be so nervous, it was just a casual question!" Su Wu was certainly a kind person.

Ling Zhen swallowed hard and began to speak: "Initially, we built some rockets, and some generals came to see them. They said they didn't want them, so we stopped building rockets and built some thunderclaps instead. General Wu came to see them and asked me to detonate them a few times to see what would happen. Later, he also said he didn't want them, saying that they only made a loud noise and had no real power, and that they were too cumbersome to use..."

Ling Zhen was clearly becoming less and less confident as he spoke.

Su Wu chuckled: "It's alright, it's alright..."

Ling Zhen swallowed hard again and continued, "Later, out of necessity, we made some fire mines. They didn't cause much damage, but they could quickly ignite flammable materials. This thing is useful for both attacking and defending cities, so we made more, thinking that when the army returned, we would invite several generals to take a look..."

Su Wu was delighted upon hearing this: "This is good, this is good... Is this how it's done?"

Ling Zhen felt relieved. Finally, there was something his husband was satisfied with, but it had cost his husband quite a bit of money, so he couldn't really do nothing well.

His spirits lifted, and he excitedly replied, "There's a place in Qingzhou where a kind of black, sticky oil comes out. In Shen Kuo's 'Dream Pool Essays,' it's called petroleum. This stuff is viscous and hard to burn, but if you boil it a little, it releases a fragrant aroma. This aroma can condense again when it cools, just like water vapor condensing. When you collect it, the resulting substance is yellowish and translucent, and it's extremely flammable. If you put this substance with gunpowder, once the gunpowder ignites, it will create a huge, continuous fire that can't be easily extinguished with water!"

Su Wu felt a surge of excitement. Although he hadn't managed it that much, the money he had spent over the years hadn't been wasted.

Of course, oil is not a rare commodity; research on it has been going on for a long time. It's just that it's hard to obtain, and getting it depends on luck, so there aren't many of them...

Su Wu nodded: "Yes, you should write this down yourself, and compile it into a book in the future. Then I will help you publish it..."

"Thank you, sir. But this item is extremely rare. I made a batch of over three hundred fire-starting mines, and once they're used up, they're gone..." Ling Zhen felt it was a great pity.

"It's alright... Now that it's been made, that's good. Wherever there's more oil in the future, I'll have people collect it and send it to you! Later, when you hand over this batch of incendiary mines to the army, I'll take them with me!"

Oil is a valuable resource, but with the current level of industrial development, we can't rely on it yet.

"Order!"

"Have some tea!" As soon as the tea was served, Su Wu gestured for it to be served. Technical talents should be respected.

While Ling Zhen was drinking tea, Su Wu continued, "I have something for you to do next..."

In the past, development was left to its own devices; now, the client needs to put forward specific requirements.

Ling Zhen quickly put down his teacup, stood up, and bowed.

"No need for such formalities, let me explain in detail!" Su Wu gestured for him to sit, then continued, "What do you think is the reason why the gunpowder is not powerful enough these days?"

Su Wu was also testing Ling Zhen, the Thunderclap, to see if his understanding of gunpowder was deep enough.

Ling Zhen also replied: "In response to your question, sir, there are probably only two reasons: firstly, the proportions can be improved, and secondly, the raw materials can be purified!"

Yes, Su Wu was truly satisfied. The technical talents of this era should not be underestimated.

Su Wu simply waved his hand and said, "Then you will focus on these two things: making the raw materials even purer and refining the proportions! Can you manage that?"

Ling Zhen immediately nodded: "This matter can be done with time and patience..."

Ling Zhen was right. The advancement of science and technology is a process of trial and error. With enough trials and errors, we will gradually find the right formula. The perfect formula for gunpowder must have gone through this process as well…

"Just tell me..." How could Su Wu not solve the problems for the scientific and technical personnel?
"Firstly, relying solely on me and a few apprentices, I'm afraid it would take forever. Naturally, I'd like to ask you and my husband to hire more people. Secondly... well... it will cost more money. Take charcoal, for example. Good charcoal and bad charcoal have a significant price difference, and even good charcoal isn't enough. We need to select the best from the best. The same goes for saltpeter and sulfur... it's all the same principle. We even have to grind, sieve, and carefully select... and we need to keep testing. I don't know how much it will cost..."

After Ling Zhen finished speaking, he just looked at the client with anticipation...

Clearly, he was willing to do this, but the conditions had been somewhat inadequate in the past.

Su Wu laughed heartily: "You're still too stingy!"

"Huh?" Ling Zhen asked, puzzled.

Su Wu spoke up: "As for manpower, we have as many as you need!"

"Is what you say true, sir? Then where are the craftsmen?" Ling Zhen really didn't dare to ask for an exorbitant amount just now.

"No matter what kind of craftsman he is, just send a document to the government office to request him!" Su Wu's ambition this time was far from insignificant.

In the past, I didn't have the time or energy, but now, things are different!

"Thank you, sir!" Ling Zhen was very excited. The manpower and resources spent far exceeded his imagination. He really did not know that he would be able to mobilize such manpower and resources one day.

Su Wu then said, "This is nothing! There's something much bigger to come!"

"What are your orders, my lord?"

"No need to buy charcoal. Build your own workshop and hire people to make it. The workshop should be large. Buy the best timber from wherever you can find it. Also, keep an eye on improving the charcoal production method. As for saltpeter, find out where there are minerals in Jingdong. Allocate the minerals directly to you, and you will be in charge of the mining. The same applies to sulfur. You will be in charge of everything from the source to the finished product!"

Su Wu waved his hand back and forth, showing his wealth and power.

"Huh?" Ling Zhen was a little stunned.

Su Wu continued speaking: "I'll set up a new yamen for you. Whatever personnel you need, just report to the yamen and I'll arrange everything. Whatever you need, I'll give you—people, materials, money, and grain, as much as you want! This yamen will be called the Manufacturing Bureau, and you'll be its chief officer. Take the title of Manufacturing Bureau Supervisor. First, focus all your efforts on resolving the gunpowder issue!"

"My lord... I..." What was Ling Zhen about to say?
Clearly, he had never done anything so big in his life. He was shocked, but he was also filled with fear and anxiety.

"It's alright, I'll transfer another battalion of soldiers to your service. That way, you can handle things more freely. If anyone makes things difficult for you, you can give them a taste of their own medicine..."

This operation is quite large and requires a great deal of resources; in the past, Su Wu might not have been able to manage it.

And it's not just about gunpowder; gunpowder is only the first step. If the gunpowder's power reaches the required level, then cannons will also need to be built, and the manpower, resources, and iron used will be beyond calculation...

Don't think this is a small project that can be done in a workshop. Historically, Peter the Great even pawned his underwear to make cannons.

The manufacture of muskets can wait, because the process of making truly usable muskets is actually more complex than that of making basic cannons.

Everything has to be done step by step!
But at least in this era, firearms have actually reached a critical point where they are about to develop rapidly. Whether it is guns or cannons, the technology is already very close.

Even if Su Wu hadn't made such a large-scale investment and had simply allowed the private sector to develop gradually, everything would have slowly emerged over a hundred years later.

Su Wu's large-scale investment was intended to accelerate the progress of a matter that had been ongoing for over a century.

Ling Zhen still felt a dreamlike, unreal sensation. He stood up again, bowed, and asked, "Is what you say true, sir?"

Su Wu nodded seriously: "How can I not take it seriously? We'll provide as much money, food, supplies, and manpower as you need. But there's one thing: the gunpowder you test must explode to my satisfaction, and it can't take too long! I'll give you a timeframe: all of this must be done within a year!"

The client, the father, only cares about using the contractor like cattle and horses. Su Wu didn't want to procrastinate. This was the first step: to prepare a near-perfect black powder formula and establish the entire production chain. One year!
Ling Zhen nodded repeatedly, his heart filled with joy, yet he dared not rejoice. He was joyful because this was something he was passionate about, joyful because of Su Wu's support, and even more joyful because it seemed as if he had suddenly gained status and power, and his future looked bright.

I dare not be happy, for I fear that I will not do this well.

"Don't just nod, say something!" Su Wu was truly exuding the aura of a client.

Ling Zhen nodded as he said, "This humble servant... will certainly do his best to accomplish this!"

"Good, that's excellent. Go and choose a location, the place where the Construction Bureau is located. Once you've chosen, report it to the bureau, and they'll take care of it for you. Then you go and select manpower, and also choose a site outside the city. You can decide everything yourself... It's all up to you!"

Su Wu, the client, was actually an excellent person.

"Yes, yes... I obey!" Ling Zhen was still somewhat dazed. He bowed and walked out, his steps still unsteady...

Su Wu chuckled to himself and muttered, "Looking forward to it..."

Su Wu rose from his seat, in high spirits. He could finally get down to business and get things done.

There was even an unexpected bonus: over three hundred ignition mines. I had to remember them; they might come in handy at any moment.

Then Su Wu met with Li Hang...

Li Hang rushed over in a panic, his face still showing worry. After seeing him, he anxiously asked, "Scholar Su, are you alright?"

"What do you mean 'nothing'?" Su Wu hadn't quite grasped the meaning yet.

Li Hang was genuinely worried: "What about Liu Yu's matter..."

Su Wu waved his hand: "Well... it's nothing, it's nothing at all."

"That's good, that's good!" Li Hang's worries had been going on for a long time. He now bore a huge responsibility. On one hand, he was responsible to Su Wu, but more importantly, he was responsible to the powerful families in Jingdong behind him. If anything happened to them, Li Hang would truly become a pariah.

Li Hang said again, "It's still better if you come back. Once you're back, everything will be resolved..."

Su Wu understood Li Hang's worries, so he smiled more and asked directly, "How is the coal mine?"

Putting everything else aside, the coal mine is the most important thing right now.

"I'm still harvesting it, but I've piled up a lot of it and can't make any money from it. Everyone says this stuff is poisonous and can kill people. I've told many people that it can be used without being poisonous, but still not many people believe me!"

Li Hang was also in a difficult situation. Su Wu asked him to open a coal mine, and he used the fund's money to do so, but he couldn't sell the coal. Wasn't he just waiting to lose money?

This matter was very important to Su Wu. Let's talk about the world, the north, the northern lands, from the four commanderies of Hexi to Gansu and Shaanxi, from Shanxi to Hebei and Henan, and even to Shandong.

In ordinary places, where can you find large trees? Let alone forests. Only in the mountains, and even then, on the mountains, can you find trees. In Shaanxi, there are hardly any trees on the mountains. What mountains could you find in Henan and Hebei?

Therefore, most of the timber is still transported from the south. It is said that in many places in the south, if logging continues like this, it may not last for several generations.

This must change; the forest must be returned.

This is one of the key points. More importantly, in production and smelting, coal is much better than charcoal and can greatly increase production efficiency.

Su Wu had already picked up a pen, found a piece of white paper, and wrote and drew several times, then looked at it himself.

After completing a simple sketch, Su Wu said, "Take this drawing to the Construction Department, the new yamen. The head of the Construction Department is named Ling Zhen. Have him make this thing. The most important thing is the chimney. He'll understand how to make it. Using this to burn coal will definitely prevent poisoning. Tomorrow, the yamen will issue an order that all the blacksmith workshops under the jurisdiction of the officials outside the city must switch to using this! From now on, no more charcoal is allowed!"

Li Hang looked at the diagram and nodded repeatedly: "Good, good, very good. As long as the workshops outside the city use it and no one gets poisoned, things will be fine in Dongping Prefecture. If more people in Dongping Prefecture use it, things will be even better in Jingdong! And in the future, if everyone in the world uses this, that would be even better!"

This is a significant improvement, even though coal may not be the best, it is still hundreds of times better than burning wood.

Firewood, rice, oil, and salt are the four basic necessities of life for ordinary people. In cities and on plains, firewood is bought. The straw in the fields is also an extremely important asset, and fighting over it can lead to conflict.

This isn't to say that Su Wu was great, it's not that simple. Rather, Su Wu wanted to make money, to dump coal, and even more so, to dump iron products.

Su Wu wanted to control the economy and energy, and he also needed to lay the foundation for a great development of productivity.

Going further, Su Wu first wanted to create a capitalist society and capitalist group in Jingdong, using capital to counter those gentry, or it didn't necessarily have to be a confrontation, but could also be a way of winning them over.

If the country truly undergoes changes in the future, the pie must be made bigger.

Even the steam engine, which is not a truly high-tech product, was originally made by hand and was only perfected through trial and error.

Moreover, this process has historically been spontaneous among the people, but Su Wu was different; he could be promoted by the government with large investments.

Ling Zhen, this lowly contractor, will have a lot to do in the future.

Therefore, Su Wu wanted to establish a large-scale structure for the Bureau of Works from the very beginning.

Li Hang hurried off to work; he was in a real hurry, because if money couldn't generate more money, it would be his life.

Before leaving, he added, "Scholar Su, my elder sister also asked if you've been busy since your return..."

Su Wu understood, but he still needed to see one more person.

Lu Junyi of Daming Prefecture has now become Lu Junyi of Mizhou. Mizhou has a Maritime Trade Office, and Lu Junyi is now focused on shipping. He is also cooperating with the Foundation. Lu Junyi is sometimes in Mizhou and sometimes in Dongping Prefecture.

At this time, Su Wu was in Dongping Prefecture and wanted to see him.

When Lu Junyi came again, he still acted like a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry), bowing respectfully and taking his seat to drink tea.

Su Wu greeted him with a smile and asked about his recent situation.

Then, getting down to business: "Both sea and river transport need to be expanded further. We need to keep building more sea and river ships, and we need to recruit more people. Whether they are boatmen and sailors from Zhejiang and the south, or from Guangzhou and Quanzhou, we should not exclude them, we should take them all!"

Lu Junyi nodded, but said helplessly, "Brother, you can't get by without money..."

Su Wu chuckled: "If you're short of money, go talk to the young master of the Li family and ask him to invest in the fund and government office as a partner. You two can discuss it yourselves!"

This is business. Su Wu will pay Li Hang, and the money will be paid to Li Hang. The goal is to bring all business matters under one department.

Even the ships provided by Su Wu would be considered shares and sold to the fund management office. The money Lu Junyi spent himself would naturally be considered Lu Junyi's shares.

Why must Lu Junyi be chosen to do this?
Because in this era, river transport involved only one aspect: the government; often, it was a matter of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world).

Maritime transport, needless to say, often involves naval forces, merchants, and pirates, with little difference between them.

Can Su Wu rest easy without Lu Junyi?
Even if the ship sailed away and he never returned, there was nowhere to seek justice...

Therefore, for the time being, this is more of a matter of the martial arts world, and it must be handled in the manner of the martial arts world.

When choosing a boat captain, you must choose one with a complete family. If the captain doesn't come back, be careful, your whole family might die.

Once out there, you must be able to fight and kill; at sea, you must even be able to plunder!
This is the limitation of the times.

Since Lu Junyi crossed the Bohai Sea with Su Wu from the beginning, who else would be more suitable than Lu Junyi to stick to one path to the end?
This was Su Wu's true plan.

Hearing that the money issue was resolved, Lu Junyi immediately started thinking about other things and blurted out, "Brother, to be honest, the ships built in Quanzhou's Citong Port are better than the ones here!"

“Then let’s go to Quanzhou to build and buy!” Su Wu said earnestly.

"Then let's do it this way!" Lu Junyi was seeking opinions.

"There's something even more important!" Su Wu said again.

"Just give the order, brother!"

"I have a sum of money for you. Go to Jiangnan and Zhejiang, to Jinghu and the north and south, even to Shu, Guangzhou and Quanzhou. Go and buy goods. Buy everything you can! Anything at all..." Su Wu had acquired so much gold and silver, he had to spend it. Spending it would increase his strength. Keeping it would be useless.

"Everything?" Lu Junyi was genuinely puzzled by the meaning of this word.

"Yes, we'll buy everything available on the market, but mainly money, grain, cloth, salt, and iron. We'll buy everything else we can..."

"Brother, how much money is this?" Lu Junyi couldn't imagine how much money it must be to dare to say such a thing.

"You just need to personally escort the ship from Mizhou to the estuary of Cangzhou and wait!" Su Wu himself didn't really know how much money it would cost.

Su Wu was also shocked, shocked that the entire city of Bianjing was being valued at tens of millions of taels of silver…

The wealth accumulated over generations by those high-ranking officials and noble families is truly unimaginable…

Su Wu also gave one more instruction: "Take trusted men, men who will risk their lives for you! Take as many ships as you have, and you might not be able to transport everything at once. Make several trips back and forth, first transporting it to Jingdong, then to Liangshan Water Fortress for storage. Then you can transport it in batches to various places to buy more..."

"I understand..." At this moment, Lu Junyi was also a little flustered. How much money was this?

"Brother, go and do it quickly!" Su Wu nodded; this was Su Wu's lifeline at this moment.

Lu Junyi got up and went out, his steps seeming somewhat unsteady for a moment...

After meeting Lu Junyi, Su Wu got up and headed out of the yamen, only to find that it was already dusk.

Suddenly, another poem came to mind: "I often recall the pavilion by the stream at dusk, so intoxicated that I forgot the way home..."

Meng Niang's shop was also bustling with activity, as there was supposedly a poetry gathering, and scholars from the Jingdong region were flocking there...

Nowadays, many scholars from Jingdong have actually moved to Dongping Prefecture, and rents in the city have also risen accordingly.

When Cheng Wanli was in Jingdong, if you really asked him what he had done for Dongping Prefecture, the answer was simply to expand the city. The Jurchens had indeed retreated, and the city walls began to expand outwards…

It's just real estate...

Many literati from the Jingdong region gathered in Dongping Prefecture, and this clustering effect was clearly largely due to Li Qingzhao.

Fan Yun followed Su Wu toward Meng Niang's shop, and also mentioned Li Qingzhao: "Sir, that Yi'an Jushi (Li Qingzhao's pen name) has recently opened some kind of academy. I don't know anything about these things, I only heard it's called the Jingdong Academy..."

"Teaching and nurturing people?" Su Wu asked.

"Well... I can't really explain it. You could say it's about teaching and nurturing students, that's true. Sometimes people do offer classes there, but it's not exactly a place for students to study, and there aren't any regular students who go there in the morning and leave in the evening..."

Fan Yun really couldn't explain it.

Su Wu understood quite a bit. He realized that it was a forum-like society where people sometimes exchanged academic ideas, sometimes famous scholars and Confucianists would give lectures, and sometimes it was just a poetry gathering...

A not-so-rigorous and strict literary organization.

When Su Wu thought about this, he was thinking about politics. Actually, it was quite good, since the Langya Prince's Mansion was short of officials and staff.

In the past, we would rely on family and clan connections to approach and persuade people one by one.

Now that these people are all together, it saves a lot of trouble.

Li Qingzhao...

Once inside Meng Niang's shop, Su Wu walked further in and then to the right, looking around. He truly felt a sense of secluded tranquility, an indescribable elegance.

This place is no longer the Mengniang Inn it once was.

The winding path led to a secluded spot, where a sizable courtyard stood with a plaque that read "Jingdong Academy".

Upon entering, one sees scholars in scholar's robes and square caps everywhere, mostly young men and teenagers...

Looking around, there were several halls, some of which were used for singing and drinking.

In some halls, it seemed that people were arguing heatedly.

In some other halls, several people sat in a circle, having a secret conversation...

Suddenly someone shouted, "Is that Scholar Su? It really is Scholar Su! Scholar Su is here! Scholar Su is here!"

Countless people turned to look, and footsteps began to surround them.

Su Wu was momentarily embarrassed, and bowed to those around him, saying, "Greetings, everyone!"

The hall was filled with at least a hundred people, and those inside were also coming out, bowing and exclaiming with joy: "Greetings, Scholar Su!"

Su Wu nodded to the left and right and said, "I came here first to see Yi'an Jushi, and then I have some important matters to discuss with you all. Please wait a little longer today!"

"Scholar Su has something important to discuss with us? Then we will not leave today!"

"No, no, Scholar Su, please go ahead with your business, we definitely won't leave!"

"Scholar Su, please come inside. Over there, there's a small elegant garden. The recluse Yi'an is inside!"

"Thank you all!" Su Wu bowed to the left and right, and some people led the way while others made way for him.

Su Wu went inside. How could Yi'an Jushi not be in that small elegant garden?

Seeing that Sister Li was getting up to greet him, Su Wu quickly waved his hand and took a few steps forward, saying, "No need!"

Sister Li smiled slightly and stood still to wait.

Su Wu stepped forward and sat down first, then invited Sister Li to sit as well.

"Is it alright?" Su Wu asked first.

Sister Li replied, "Very good...you..."

"I'm fine too..."

"Is the battlefield tough?" Sister Li asked again.

"I am the commander-in-chief; I can simply sit and direct the troops. There's nothing to be troubled about..."

Sister Li's face suddenly darkened: "That's too false. Ask any of the generals, and they'll all say that you always lead from the front, fighting bravely to the death..."

Su Wu smiled awkwardly: "That's nothing, there are guards on both sides to protect us!"

After a few words, Su Wu sensed that Sister Li's concern was genuine and profound...

Then Sister Li said, "Our country has suffered a great calamity, and Hebei is draped in mourning. It's a pity that we are women. If we were real men, we would definitely follow you to the battlefield to fight the enemy!"

"This... there's no need for that..." Su Wu was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond, but he sensed an inexplicable sadness emanating from Sister Li.

"Hmph!" Sister Li suddenly rolled her eyes and said, "You obviously look down on me!"

"No! No, don't talk nonsense..." Su Wu was a little "afraid" of Sister Li, this woman had a big temper.

“I’d like to recommend someone to you!” Sister Li said.

"Who is it?" Su Wu was quite surprised.

"I'll send someone to call..." As soon as Sister Li finished speaking, she beckoned, and a servant came forward. She whispered a few words to him, and the servant ran off.

A moment later, a young man entered. He was very excited, his eyes brimming with joy. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I am Xin Wenyu, paying my respects to Scholar Su!"

Li Qingzhao introduced: "He is my fellow townsman, a scholar from Qizhou. His father's name is Xin Zan, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), and his family is a famous family in Qizhou. I was acquainted with his father in the past."

Su Wu nodded: "He has a good physique and is handsome, so he must be quite talented in literature as well."

Su Wu first looked at the physique, but he also paid close attention to the fact that the surname was Xin, which was not common, and it was from the Xin clan of Qizhou...

Qizhou, Jinan, Xin...

Su Wu looked Xin Wenyu up and down again. Could it be the same Xin as Xin Qiji? Xin Qiji came from a family of famous scholars in Qizhou.

Xin Qiji wasn't born yet; he wouldn't be born for another ten years or so. Thinking of Xin Qiji, Su Wu felt a little guilty.

Since Li Qingzhao had made the recommendation, she naturally chimed in with praise: "Scholar, don't underestimate him. Although Wenyu is young, his talent is widely known. Moreover, Wenyu is different from others; he has loved military affairs since childhood, and he can even wield a spear! Wenyu, show the scholar some of your skills..."

Look at that young man, he was truly not intimidated, and he immediately began to practice his fist and footwork, shouting and moving around, which was really powerful and impressive.

Su Wu was momentarily stunned by what he saw. It wasn't that Xin Wenyu's martial arts skills shocked Su Wu, but rather that this was the first time in the Song Dynasty that he had seen a Confucian scholar actually demonstrate his martial arts skills.

Li Qingzhao's words must be true; this person really is skilled with weapons.

In the Song Dynasty, this was quite incongruous. How could the son of a respectable scholar and Confucian master really be skilled in martial arts?

In the Song Dynasty, this was truly number one; there was no second one.

Could this really be Xin Qiji's father?
Su Wu knew many stories about Xin Qiji, and also some about Xin Qiji's father, but he couldn't remember the name.

Xin Qiji's father was no ordinary man either. When the Jurchens marched south, the Zhao and Li families of Jingdong all fled, but the Xin family did not.

This is one of them.

What was the Xin family doing in Jingdong under Jurchen rule? Xin Qiji's father was secretly training troops, preparing for an uprising.

At that time, many places under the rule of the Jin Dynasty were filled with rebel armies, and Xin Qiji's father was one of them. Unfortunately, the uprising ended in failure, and Xin Qiji's father died from an arrow wound.

Looking at Xin Wenyu before him, Su Wu was now 90% certain that this young man was Xin Qiji's father.

Only a father like this could have given birth to a son as unparalleled in both literature and martial arts as Xin Qiji.

This family, this clan, is truly wonderful! The Song Dynasty is the best!
Unexpectedly, it was also related to Li and Zhao. But then again, this is how it is in rural society, and the circle of literati is even smaller, let alone those from the same hometown.
Upon seeing Xin Wenyu, Su Wu immediately took him seriously. Even as the blows continued, Su Wu said, "Why don't you come and join my army? You can stay by my side."

Xin Wenyu was overjoyed when he stopped punching and kicking, but he was also nervous and quickly went to look at Li Qingzhao.

Li Qingzhao smiled slightly: "Why are you still looking at me?"

Xin Wenyu immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Lord Su! Thank you, Lord Su!"

"Good, very good. Come to the yamen today to report for duty, and start as a registrar!" Su Wu waved his hand, in a very good mood.

"Thank you again, Lord Su!" Xin Wenyu was overjoyed and his face turned bright red.

"Alright, you can go back now... Just show up for your shift tomorrow!" Li Qingzhao waved her hand dismissively.

Xin Wenyu bowed several times, then walked away, his steps seemingly floating, as if he were drifting out the door...

Su Wu smiled and said to Sister Li, "Thank you, Li Qingzhao, for recommending such a talented person!"

Sister Li nodded: "The scholar comes from a military background. The situation is complicated, and the war is even more complicated. I know that the scholar is short of capable people to use..."

"So...you created this JD Academy?" Su Wu asked.

Sister Li didn't answer, but simply picked up the tea from the small table beside her and took a small sip.

How could Su Wu not be moved?

Just as Su Wu was about to be moved, Sister Li put down her teacup and said, "I'm doing this for the sake of my country and its people. Even if I can't fight on the battlefield, I should still serve my country! This will also make you look down on me less!"

"What are you saying? I have never looked down on you, sir!" Su Wu smiled helplessly.

But then Sister Li stood up and said, "Alright, it's getting late, I'm going back!"

"See the layman off..." Su Wu also stood up.

"I am also thinking about the affairs of my country and my family!" Sister Li rolled her eyes again, "I don't want you to send me anything!"
Su Wu really didn't see him off. This stubborn arrogance was just his nature; there was nothing he could do about it!
Su Wu also had his own business to attend to, so he simply went forward. In front of the courtyard, a crowd had already gathered, waiting for Scholar Su to arrive so they could discuss something together...

When Su Wu arrived, he simply stood on a high place and looked around. Good heavens, there were only a hundred or so people a moment ago, but now there were two or three hundred, and many more were still coming from that secluded path.

The noise had long since stopped; everyone was waiting and watching…

Su Wu nodded slightly in greeting and began to speak: "Fellow elders and fellow villagers, scholars of Jingdong, now that Yan and Yun have been recovered, the land is devastated and we desperately need talented people to serve the public, the people, and the nation. Today, we are all gathered here, each one a man of exceptional talent. I, Su, would like to extend my sincere invitation!"

Su Wu bowed deeply and even spun around!
Just look at the entire audience; everyone is bowing down!
"Yes, this is it! We have formed this society to contribute to the nation and its people, and to help you accomplish your goals! We are honored by your esteemed respect for talent!"

"Greetings, Lord Su!"

"Paying respects to Scholar Su!"

……

Voices rose and fell, for the world has no shortage of men's passion!

Su Wu continued, "Those who wish to leave home can go to Yanjing and wait there to be assigned a post. Those who do not wish to leave home should go to the General Administration of the Two Armies of Jingdong! Thank you all!"

The boss is directly hiring, and is courteous and respectful of talent!

"Go to Yanjing! A man's ambition lies in all corners of the world, so go to Yanjing!"

"If you're going to Yanjing, then I'll go to Yanjing!"

"Let's go together, let's go to Yanjing!"

How could Su Wu not be delighted?

Such people's kindness is not in vain. Su Wu was actually very moved, moved by his own efforts. These past few years in Jingdong have not been in vain!
We also have to thank Li Qingzhao. Her society was no ordinary one; she was looking for like-minded people, which is why we are so excited today.

These like-minded people were directly selected by Li Qingzhao and gathered together, saving Su Wu a lot of trouble.

Su Wu should continue to encourage everyone, asking this person a question and recognizing that person.

It's actually tiring, but it has to be done.

It wasn't until midnight that Su Wu left Meng Niang's shop and headed home.

Suddenly, several horses galloped down the street.

Yan Qing stepped forward, dismounted, and exclaimed, "A messenger from Yanjing! My lord, take a look!"

Su Wu came to see it, and after reading it, he said, "In the end, it still came..."

Liu Guangshi arrived in Yanjing and urgently needed to see Su Wu! (Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!)
What's the rush? Su Wu knew.

Keep the letter safe, and say one thing: "Couldn't you have waited a little longer?"

With that, Su Wu hurried home. Tomorrow, he would return to Yanjing!

(Brothers, 9,000, let's get this morning...)
(End of this chapter)