Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 122: If there's no benefit, it's Mr. Yuanhai; if there is, it's Brother Ji.
"Hahaha~~~"

"It is truly an honor to have Mr. Yuanhai grace us with his presence!"

Lin Dao stood outside the gate, warmly welcoming Ruan Dacheng's visit.

Ruan Dacheng stepped down from the sedan chair and quickly went forward to exchange pleasantries with Lin Dao.

He completely disregarded the fact that he was several generations older than him, addressing him as "Brother Zihou~"

Therefore, it is said that a scholar's skin is elastic.

Ruan Dacheng's visit this time was a formal one.

First, a formal invitation is sent, and after obtaining the other party's consent, both sides agree on an auspicious day and then formally visit each other.

This is how a wealthy family behaves when they visit; this is the normal procedure.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two entered the mansion and took their seats in the main hall.

If the families are close, the matriarch and children will also be expected to greet them.

Here in Lindao, there isn't even a proper mistress, let alone a concubine with a title.

Even Chen Yuanyuan and Dong Xiaowan didn't have official titles; they were still referred to as maids in the same room.

Serve tea, as a courtesy.

Only after going through the entire process and steps can we get to the main topic.

Lin Dao was also very curious about what this person had to do that made such a formality.

"Brother Zihou."

Ruan Dacheng warmly remarked, "The garrison commander (garrison eunuch) has received praise from the emperor, and it is said that there is even an intention to transfer him back to the capital to take charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

"That's really something to be envious of."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dao suddenly understood.

This person wants to return to the imperial court and become an official.

What's the use of coming to me? I'm not an official in the Ministry of Personnel.

"The garrison's success is entirely due to Brother Zihou's merits."

Ruan Dacheng's words of praise followed one after another: "If it weren't for Brother Zihou's rare treasures and miraculous medicines, where would his good fortune come from?"

"It's a pity that Brother Zihou, this true hero, didn't even get a word of credit. It's truly lamentable."

Lin Dao smiled without saying a word, simply watching his performance.

If it's to sow discord between yourself and the garrison eunuch, then you're overthinking it.

It was already the fifteenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, and Lin Dao had never even considered developing within the already rotten Ming Dynasty system.

The Ming Dynasty court was a place full of festering sores and rotting flesh, a place that reeked of foul odors. Whoever wanted to go there could go.

After taking a sip of tea, Ruan Dacheng changed the subject, "I heard that Brother Zihou is planning to assist Qian Shouzhi in his restoration?"

Meeting his piercing gaze, Lin Dao remained unmoved and said, "That is indeed true."

Ruan Dacheng didn't stand on ceremony and immediately bowed, saying, "I humbly request Brother Zihou's assistance..."

So that's why I came.

This is a successful example of meeting the garrison eunuch and receiving praise from Lin Dao for his assistance.

Thinking about Qian Qianyi's ongoing revitalization plan, Ruan Dacheng couldn't help but speak up.

The problem is, why should Lin Dao help you?
Throughout history, helping others has never been a simple matter.

Ruan Dacheng understood this perfectly and immediately said, "I have prepared a gift here, and I hope Brother Zihou will not find it offensive."

Having said that, he clapped his hands and instructed the servants he had brought from outside, "Bring them in~~~"

Lin Dao was also curious. This person seemed very confident, as if he would definitely help if he received a gift.

Could it be that he has already seen through my weaknesses?
After a while, the sound of jade pendants tinkling came from outside.

A beautiful young woman, supported by her maid, slowly walked in.

She wore a pale yellow, floral, floor-length dress with a graceful, flowing gauze.

A golden silk sash was tied around her waist, so slender it could be grasped in one hand.

Thanks to her slender waist, her breasts are prominently displayed, while her buttocks are round and perky.

The wind stirs the gauze, making it sway gracefully as you walk.

Her hair, as beautiful as clouds, was styled into a low bun.

Beneath the clouds, there are a pair of bright eyes that seem to express a myriad of emotions.

She held up a round fan with her delicate hands, partially obscuring her pretty face.

Lin Dao remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was roaring with rage.

Why does everyone think of me as a lecherous man!

'Are they all thinking they can get things done by sending me beautiful women?'

'I'm a career-oriented transmigrator, not here to build a harem!'

'If I really wanted to build a harem, I could just go to the world of Dream of the Red Chamber, it would be so easy!'

The fan fell, revealing a high, straight nose and delicate cherry-like lips.

Behind Lin Dao, a suppressed gasp came.

The woman bowed and said, "This humble woman, Li Xiangjun, pays her respects to Master Lin."

It turned out to be Li Xiangjun, the protagonist of The Peach Blossom Fan.

Lin Dao frowned slightly. According to the story of the Peach Blossom Fan, Li Xiangjun should have followed Hou Fangyu.

Hou Fangyu, along with Mao Xiang and others, was one of the Four Gentlemen.

Both came from official families; his father even rose to the high position of Minister, making them true noblemen.

In the story of The Peach Blossom Fan, he and Li Xiangjun became acquainted and fell in love with each other.

He failed his exam and rushed home, which caused the two of them to miss each other.

Later, Li Xiangjun was kidnapped and forced to marry. She refused to do so, and her blood splattered on her folding fan, resembling a peach blossom.

This is how the love story of "The Peach Blossom Fan" came about.

But what is the real situation?

The true story is that Hou Fangyu was already married when he was sixteen years old.

When he met Li Xiangjun, his son was only a few years younger than Li Xiangjun.

It was nothing more than lust at first sight, but he didn't have enough money and was afraid of being found out by his family.

This led them to beg Ruan Dacheng, with whom they had a good relationship, to step in and provide the funds to redeem Li Xiangjun from her servitude.

Originally, Li Xiangjun's fate was that she would never meet Hou Fangyu.

Two years later, he was sent to the Southern Ming palace by Ruan Dacheng.

But now, Ruan Dacheng is determined to use her to gain even greater benefits.

Lin Dao appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing. He was a man of integrity, living a life of honesty and incorruptibility, seeking the well-being of all people.

It's really heartbreaking to be misunderstood all the time.

Li Xiangjun was very beautiful. Her delicate face, makeup, and clothing were such that ordinary people could only see such a beauty on their mobile phones if they lived in the modern world.

The problem is, Lin Dao has no shortage of beauties!

Look behind him, Chen Yuanyuan, who was as famous as Li Xiangjun, was only good for emptying chamber pots for him.

"Brother Zihou."

Lin Dao, his brows furrowed, was pondering how to politely decline when Ruan Dacheng, adept at reading people, quickly activated his backup plan: "I heard you've been busy organizing the Brave Guard Battalion lately?"

It's no secret.

Those who are qualified to know already know.

They even knew that the so-called "Training and Guarding Battalion" was just a name, mainly used to divide up military funds among everyone.

"That's true." Lin Dao continued listening.

"In my humble opinion," Ruan Dacheng stroked his beard and smiled, "the scale of the Yongwei Battalion's training is still too small."

"Of the seventeen guards of Jinling, several should be merged into them."

Lin Dao's heart stirred slightly, and a smile appeared on his face. "Mr. Yuanhai, which guards do you think should be incorporated into the Yongwei Battalion?"

"Hahaha~~"

Ruan Dacheng said with a smile, "The natural barrier of Nanjing is the Yangtze River, so the Jianghuai Guard and the Jichuan Guard, these two naval forces, should be incorporated into the Yongwei Camp."

"Their ships are old and in disrepair, and new ships need to be built."

"This would result in another substantial, legitimate expense~~~"

Ruan Dacheng was looking for a way to continue demanding military funding.

It's impossible to build new ships, but the money needed to build them is essential.

This is not contradictory at all.

But in Lin Dao's view, this was like a pillow being delivered when he was sleepy.

The role of the navy is of paramount importance.

If you want to cross the river and head north, you can't do it without a navy.

Moreover, the Jiangnan region has a dense network of waterways and well-developed shipping.

A fleet escorted by a navy can deliver troops and supplies to most parts of Jiangnan at the fastest speed.

With a navy, we can gain deep control over the Jiangnan region.

Lin Dao had been eyeing these two naval forces for some time.

However, the navy is different from the garrisons on land.

The soldiers in the garrison mainly did jobs such as farming, working in the city, serving food in restaurants, and playing musical instruments.

However, the navy can make money through shipping.

This is why, among the seventeen guards of Jinling, only the naval forces of these two guards were firmly controlled by the nobles of Jinling.

Using naval vessels, they openly engaged in legitimate shipping and smuggling.

Even the eunuchs stationed there could hardly influence these two guards.

I thought it would be difficult, but to my surprise, Ruan Dacheng took the initiative to come and help.

Lin Dao's smile widened. "Brother Ji, do you have any good ideas you can teach me?"

'If you don't see any benefits, call me Mr. Yuanhai; if you see benefits and get a larger share of military funds, call me Brother Ji.'

'Shiying was right; this man comes from a merchant family and is extremely profit-driven.'

Ruan Dacheng inwardly complained, but on the surface his smile widened even more. "Since you have brought this up, I am confident that I can persuade the Central Military Command to agree."

"it is good."

Lin Dao raised his hand and slapped the table, then turned to instruct Dong Xiaowan behind him, "Take her to be settled."

Dong Xiaowan bowed and accepted the order, then stepped forward and winked at Li Xiangjun.

They had known each other for a long time.

It's hard to call them friends, since they're competitors after all.

At least we know each other.

Seeing that Dong Xiaowan had taken Li Xiangjun away, Ruan Dacheng was finally relieved.

If he accepted the gift, it meant that Lin Dao had agreed to his request.

Sure enough, Lin Dao said, "Once the Yongwei Battalion is fully trained, Mr. Muzhai will naturally go to the capital with Brother Jizhi."

After finishing his meal, Ruan Dacheng left with a satisfied smile to seek out his friend and push for the expansion of the Yongwei Battalion.

Lin Dao, of course, was not in a hurry to seduce the beauty, but instead returned to the modern world.

Various supplies shipped in have been delivered to warehouses rented in South African seaports.

Lin Dao dared not transport these chemicals directly.

He took only a small portion and brought it to Yonghe Time and Space, where the craftsmen made a trial version.

"The most important thing about gunpowder is the proportion."

Lin Dao pointed to the various measuring instruments in front of him, saying, "Absolutely no more, and absolutely no less."

"Most importantly, you can't mix up anything."

He swept his gaze across the group of craftsmen and said, "If you mix things up, the consequences will be your lives."

The craftsmen thought it referred to execution, and they all promised to put their hearts into making the work.

Ke Lindao means that if you make a mistake, you'll explode!

This isn't black powder; this is for making real gunpowder.

There are mainly two production directions.

One purpose was to manufacture explosives for use in sieges or pre-positioning them during open-field battles.

Another use is as a propellant.

Its force is many times greater than that of gunpowder.

Faster rate of fire, longer range, and greater destructive power!

Correspondingly, the quality of muskets and cannons must also be improved accordingly, otherwise barrel explosions will become the norm.

This is not difficult, because seamless steel pipes can be purchased in Lindao.

Although no factory dared to rifling it, smoothbore guns were sufficient for use in ancient times.

He worried that if it were any better, it might be lost and ultimately used against him.

"Making a matchlock gun is enough."

(End of this chapter)