You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

After a pause, Lu Zuo added, "We can first supply the Imperial Workshops, the Arsenal, and major craft workshops in the capital for trial use. If the feedback is good, then we can promote it further."

"The cleansing ointment and the swarm of rocket cars are also useful items."

"Alright, I will allocate an additional 300,000 taels from the Imperial Treasury to the Ministry of Works."

"Of the 100,000 taels, 'will be used to optimize the formula and scale up the production of the Cleansing Jade Cream. We not only need to make it well, but also find ways to reduce costs. In the future, it may become an industry that benefits the people and the country.'"

"Another 200,000 taels will be allocated to the Ordnance Bureau and the Imperial Works Bureau to continue improving the 'Hollyhock Rocket Vehicle,' focusing on resolving its stability, range, and operational safety. Different specifications and different launch methods can be tested."

Upon hearing this, Shen was both surprised and delighted. He hadn't expected that not only would the request for the screw be readily approved, but the emperor would also allocate an additional 300,000 taels of silver to promote two other dormant technologies!

He quickly bowed and said, "On behalf of the Ministry of Works and the Arsenal, I thank Your Majesty for your great favor!"

"Your Majesty's emphasis on craftsmanship and the pursuit of knowledge is truly a blessing for the nation!"

Lu Zuo smiled, got up and walked to the bookshelf next to him, took a new sheet of paper, and began to write quickly.

The reason I didn't write about ammonia fertilizer before is because this world doesn't have the advanced technology of Qin Shi Huang, so it's impossible to create connecting pipes.

But looking back now, the level of technology in the Song Dynasty far exceeded expectations.

Even if pipe sealing technology doesn't exist now, it's likely that it can be developed.

As he wrote, he said, "This substance is called 'ammonia fertilizer,' and it is an excellent fertilizer that can greatly improve the soil, make the seedlings grow strong, and increase yields."

"Its manufacturing method..."

......

A moment later, he handed this page of "Method for Making Ammonia Fertilizer" to Shen Gai as well. "The difficulty of this method lies not in the principle, but in the fact that the gas collection pipes must be sealed and corrosion-resistant, and the reaction containers must also be properly fitted."

"However, since you can produce glass and develop rockets for me, it is certainly not impossible for you to develop suitable ceramic tubes, lead tubes, and even improve sealing methods."

"If this project is successful, its achievement will be no less significant than acquiring a new province of fertile land."

"Shen Qingke can consult with Elder Mo and others, and first conduct a small-scale trial to verify its effectiveness."

"The required expenses can be drawn from the new funds."

"Remember, safety comes first, especially with gas and flue gas, which are toxic and flammable; handle them with extreme caution!"

Shen Gai accepted the formula with trembling hands!

Your Majesty is so well-versed in such matters concerning the lifeline of agriculture?

And the considerations were so thorough that even alternative solutions and difficulties were pointed out?

"Your Majesty is learned in both heaven and man, and considers the well-being of all people and future generations. How could we, your subjects, dare not do our utmost?"

Shen Gaijin had only requested a small sum of money, but unexpectedly, he brought back an additional investment of 300,000 taels of silver, as well as a miraculous agricultural technique that could change the fate of the nation.

"Go and do it."

"Your Majesty, I obey! I will certainly not fail your expectations!"

Shen Gai bowed deeply, carefully put away the paper, and left the Imperial Study again.

……

Ministry of Works, workshops for artisans.

Inside the main hall, Mo Heng was leading several core craftsmen in a heated discussion around a table covered with sketches of cement kilns and glass furnaces. They all looked up when they heard footsteps.

The Minister returned, his face glowing even more brightly than when he left. Mo Heng and the others quickly went to greet him.

"Master Mo! Everyone!"

"Great news! His Majesty has bestowed upon us another great favor!" Shen Gai's voice preceded his arrival, filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"I have just entered the palace to meet His Majesty, and not only has His Majesty approved the trial production of the spiral rotating nail machine, but he has also bestowed an additional decree!"

He held up one finger, emphasizing his words: "The Ministry of Works has gone to great lengths to develop these imperial reliefs, so we have allocated another 300,000 taels of silver from the Imperial Treasury specifically for this purpose!"

"Three hundred thousand taels?"

Mo Heng and the others gasped, hardly believing their ears.

Five hundred thousand taels was already a huge sum of money that one would never dare to dream of, and now another three hundred thousand taels have been added in the blink of an eye.

"Not bad, three hundred thousand taels!"

Shen nodded affirmatively and explained in detail: "One hundred thousand taels of it will be used to optimize and mass-produce that cleansing jade ointment."

"His Majesty demands that we not only do it better, but also find ways to reduce costs so that it will benefit the people in the future and become an industry!"

"Another 200,000 taels will be allocated to the Ordnance Bureau to cooperate with the Imperial Works Bureau to fully improve that 'swarm of rocket vehicles'."

"To solve issues related to stability, range, and safety, we also need to try different specifications and standards!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

A chorus of excited gasps rose from inside the hall.

Mo Heng was so excited that his beard trembled slightly. The Cleansing Jade Cream and the Rocket Car were projects they knew were good but had been hampered by a lack of funds to pursue further. Now that they had special funds, it was like rain after a long drought!

"besides!"

Shen carefully took the paper out of his pocket and handed it to Mo Heng with both hands: "Elder Mo, please take a look at this."

"This was written by His Majesty himself, concerning the agriculture and sericulture of the realm, and the very foundation of the nation!"

Seeing the Minister's expression, Mo Heng knew that this item was no ordinary thing, so he quickly washed his hands again and respectfully accepted it.

As your gaze falls, the first thing that catches your eye is the phrase "ammonia fertilizer production".

He quickly scanned the pages, and the more closely he looked, the wider his eyes widened, and his breathing became increasingly heavy.

Dilute sulfuric acid is obtained from copper sulfate pentahydrate and ferrous sulfate... coal gas or flue gas is introduced... ammonium sulfate is produced... evaporated and crystallized, it becomes fertilizer... significantly improving soil fertility and promising increased yields...

This line of thinking...

Is it about turning the poison in the smoke into a treasure for the fields?

If this method truly works, and if the effects of this ammonia fertilizer are as Your Majesty has described…

How much more grain would this require from all the land in the world?

How many people could be spared from famine?

How full could the imperial granaries be?

This……

This is a true national treasure, capable of saving countless lives and benefiting all living beings!

Mo Heng felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his hand holding the paper trembled violently with shock and excitement, a hundred times more so than when he saw the cement and glass formula before!

That is the most instinctive reverence for food and for survival.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty is truly a celestial being!"

It took Mo Heng a long time to recover from the huge shock. His voice was hoarse as he bowed deeply towards the palace. This time, it was a deep respect from the bottom of his soul.

The problem of food that has plagued dynasties throughout history has been addressed by Your Majesty's desire to find a solution through the study of natural phenomena, and you have even pointed out such a clear and seemingly feasible path!

Shen Gai said in a deep voice, "His Majesty also clearly stated that the difficulty of this method lies in the fact that the pipelines required for collecting the gas must be sealed and corrosion-resistant, the reaction containers must also be properly secured, and the operation must be strictly protected against poisonous gases and open flames."

"Mr. Mo, is it possible for you to do this?"

Mo Heng looked up and said, "Don't worry, my lord!"

"Regarding pipes and seals, our Ministry of Works has long had skilled craftsmen specializing in smelting, kiln operations, and water conservancy who have been working on these matters for a long time."

"The techniques for firing ceramic pipes to achieve a dense and uniform finish, the hammering and welding of lead pipes, and the sealing of joints using clay, raw lacquer, and even experimentation with metal clamps—all these require accumulated experience!"

"Now that Your Majesty has pointed out the direction and the principle is there, all that remains is to test and experiment with the process."

"Your humble servant will immediately summon the relevant master craftsmen to study this method thoroughly, allocate materials, and first construct a small-scale experimental device!"

"We will provide a preliminary reply to Your Excellency and His Majesty within one to three months at the earliest!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Shen Gai said "good" three times in a row, and patted Mo Heng's shoulder hard: "Master Mo is a treasure of our Ministry of Works, and all the master craftsmen are pillars of our Great Song Dynasty!"

"His Majesty has entrusted such a heavy responsibility to us, which is a trust that is unprecedented in history."

"If this succeeds, it will be a great achievement for the present and a benefit for future generations!"

"On behalf of all the people of the land, I, your humble servant, thank you all!"

Shen understood this perfectly.

Cement, glass, allicin, screws, soap, rocket cars, plus this ammonia fertilizer that could change the fate of the nation…

If these projects were realized one by one by Mo Heng and others, their achievements would be so great that they would be recorded in history.

As the Minister of Works, I was responsible for overall coordination and support. Naturally, I deserve a share in this tremendous achievement and the recognition it will bring in history.

Being polite and respectful to Mo Heng and the others at this moment not only shows magnanimity but also motivates them to do their utmost.

Mo Heng and the others quickly stepped aside and returned the greeting: "You flatter us, sir. This is our duty."

"We will certainly not fail His Majesty and the Lord!"

Shen Gai gave him some more encouragement and instructions, especially emphasizing His Majesty's words that safety comes first. Only then did he nod in satisfaction, humming an unknown but cheerful tune, and leisurely leave the workshop with his hands behind his back.

……

Meanwhile, outside the city of Lin'an.

As dusk approached, the setting sun, like blood, stained the undulating mountains with a dark red hue.

Several miles from the official road, there is a narrow valley with waist-high weeds and jagged rocks on both sides.

Thousands of men dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothes, their faces smeared with mud and grass juice, lay quietly behind the grass and rocks on both sides of the valley top.

Like lurking beasts, they breathed softly, their eyes blazing, fixed on the winding road below that led through the valley to the west gate of Lin'an.

The air was still, with only the rustling of the mountain wind through the grass and the faint calls of birds returning home from afar.

Guo Xiaotian lay prone behind a boulder, half his face hidden in the shadows, his tiger-like eyes fixed intently on the direction of the valley entrance.

Beside him, Yang Tiexin also crouched low, gripping a steel spear tightly in his hand. In the last rays of the setting sun, the tip of the spear occasionally flashed with a cold light.

Suddenly, a jumbled, muffled "clattering" sound came from afar, mixed with the "creaking" of wheels rolling over soil and stones, and low, indistinct human voices.

The sound gradually grew clearer as it approached.

Guo Xiaotian adjusted his posture and took the hard bow from behind his back.

This bow was a three-stone strong bow specially made by the craftsmen in the army. The bow body was dark black, and the bowstring was made of high-quality ox sinew mixed with the sinew of some exotic animal. Ordinary soldiers could not draw it at all.

He drew a three-edged armor-piercing arrow, pulled back the bowstring, his muscles bulged, and it made a slight creaking sound.

The arrow was steadily aimed at a burly figure at the valley entrance, who was vaguely surrounded by the crowd.

A short while later, the group of people finally surged into the valley entrance.

There were about two or three hundred people, most of them dressed in disheveled clothes, carrying knives, spears, and clubs, with fierce faces, looking like mountain bandits and outlaws.

In the middle of the procession were seven or eight large carts covered with tarpaulins, their wheels deeply embedded in the mud, making it difficult for the mules and horses pulling them.

The burly leader, riding a variegated horse, was brandishing a whip and seemed to be shouting and urging those around him, his voice rough and hoarse.

suddenly!

The bowstring vibrated the air, producing a low, short "thud" that was exceptionally clear in the silent valley!

A flash of dark light disappeared!

puff!

The arrow pierced the bandit leader's throat with perfect accuracy!

He suddenly straightened up, the fierce light in his eyes instantly replaced by horror and confusion, and then he fell heavily off the horse!

"what!"

"The boss!"

"There's an ambush! Grab your weapons!"

"On the mountains on both sides!"

After a brief silence, the bandit group suddenly erupted into chaos!

Exclamations, curses, and the clanging of weapons being drawn were all mixed up in a chaotic scene.

Many people looked in a panic in the direction where their leader had fallen to his death, and then looked in horror at the dark valley sides, their formation instantly falling apart.

"kill!"

Just as the bandits were still in shock, Yang Tiexin's roar exploded in the valley!

He stood up, brandished his steel spear, and the tip of the spear flashed with a cold light!

"kill!"

On both sides of the mountainside, as if the earth had cracked and mountains had collapsed, a deafening roar suddenly erupted!

Thousands of men who had been lying in ambush rushed down the hillside from the grass and rocks like a flood bursting its banks!

They charged in groups of three or five, their clothes a jumble of fabric, yet their formation began to take shape. Their fierce eyes and imposing presence contrasted sharply with the panicked mob below.

"Stop them! Stop them for me!"

A ruthless bandit, who appeared to be the second-in-command, brandished a ghost-head knife, attempting to rally his men.

However, before he could finish speaking, Guo Xiaotian had already leaped down from the height like a tiger released from its cage. While he was still in mid-air, the long knife in his hand swept out with a fierce whistling sound!

"Screw you!"

clang!

Click!

A bandit who tried to block with his knife was sent flying, knife and all, his sternum caved in and blood gushing from his mouth.

Guo Xiaotian landed without stopping, brandishing his longsword like a black whirlwind that swept into the enemy ranks.

He possessed extraordinary strength, and although his moves were not particularly refined, they were powerful and unstoppable.

Where the long sword passed, weapons broke, bones cracked, tendons snapped, and screams of agony filled the air.

On the other side, Yang Tiexin's spear thrusts were like a dragon, his spear movements even more fierce and cunning.

A sliver of cold light arrived first, followed by a spear thrust out like lightning!

puff!

The spear tip pierced the throat of a bandit with precision, and with a flick of the wrist, the corpse was sent flying, knocking down two people behind it.

Then, with agile movements, he weaved through the crowd, targeting vital organs such as the throat and heart, never lingering in battle, and every shot drew blood, his efficiency was frighteningly high.

"Form ranks! Stand with your backs against the wagons!" Some of the bandits were fierce, attempting to put up a last-ditch resistance by relying on the wagons.

"Break the formation!"

Upon seeing this, a new soldier shouted sternly.

Suddenly, several men wielding shields and short spears accelerated and roared as they charged into the small, newly formed circle!

boom!

puff!

The dull thud of shields colliding and the sharp sound of short spears piercing bodies rang out simultaneously.

The bandits' formation was forcibly breached, and the new army soldiers immediately swarmed in, their blades flashing and blood splattering everywhere.

The battle was a one-sided, overwhelming affair from the very beginning.

Although the Lin'an New Army had not been trained for long, their equipment was relatively complete, and Generals Guo and Yang set an example by being brave and unstoppable. More importantly, they came prepared and had high morale.

The bandits, having first lost their leader and thus their command, were then ambushed and their spirits were broken, making it impossible for them to mount an effective resistance.

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