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

In the early morning, a thin mist, like a veil, enveloped the new army camp outside Niujia Village.

As dawn broke, the outline of the camp and the standing sentries were silhouetted in pale gold.

Last night, the news that His Majesty had slain the Jin chieftain and that a huge sum of money would be allocated today spread like a spring breeze throughout the camp, filling the usually somber atmosphere with an irrepressible excitement.

However, when the convoy, escorted by elite guards from the Imperial City Guard and officials from the Ministry of Revenue, and bearing a special yellow flag, actually entered the camp gate, it still caused quite a stir.

The convoy was quite large, consisting of more than ten heavily covered trucks, their wheels deeply embedded in the dirt road, leaving clear tracks.

Besides officials, dozens of sharp-eyed and capable imperial guards escorted the shipment, indicating that this batch of supplies was extraordinary.

Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian had already received the news and were waiting in front of the central command tent with the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan.

Upon seeing the convoy stop, a junior official from the Ministry of Revenue, dressed in a green robe, quickly stepped forward, accompanied by two officials from the Imperial City Guard.

He first verified the seals of Yang and Guo, then took out a thick document and list, and respectfully handed them over:

"General Yang, General Guo, by His Majesty's decree, 500,000 taels of silver have been allocated from the Imperial Treasury and have now been delivered in full. Please inspect and sign for receipt."

"His Majesty himself has instructed that the items be delivered to the general in person."

Yang Tiexin suppressed his excitement and, together with Guo Xiaotian and the military clerk, quickly counted the silver carts to confirm that the number was correct and the silver ingots were of excellent quality. Only then did he solemnly affix his seal to the receipt.

With 500,000 taels of silver now firmly in the treasury, the biggest weight was finally lifted from their hearts. They exchanged a glance and saw the light of relief and boundless ambition in each other's eyes.

"Sir, is there anything else His Majesty wishes to instruct?" Yang Tiexin asked, putting away the reply slip.

The official looked around, then took a long, narrow wooden box wrapped in bright yellow brocade and sealed with sealing wax from a clerk in the Imperial City Guard beside him. He presented it with both hands and whispered, "His Majesty's oral decree:"

"These two items are bestowed upon Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian, commanders of the new army in Lin'an, so that they may be used to select talents and teach skills in the army, and to strengthen the physical foundation of the soldiers."

"Keep this safe and only give it to the right person. Do not disclose it to anyone."

Yang and Guo immediately bowed to the north, saying, "Your Majesty, we accept the decree and thank you for your great favor!"

I received the wooden box with both hands. It felt heavy, not from the weight of gold or silver, but from an indescribable sense of solemnity.

.....

The two men carried the wooden box back into the tent, and the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan followed curiously inside. They dismissed everyone else, leaving only their trusted confidants.

Guo Xiaotian carefully removed the sealing wax, untied the brocade, and opened the wooden box.

There were no jewels or precious stones inside, only two books bound in thick, tough paper and with simple, ancient thread binding, lying quietly on a soft silk cushion.

The title of the book is written on the cover in vigorous calligraphy.

One of them is: "Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu".

The other book is: "The Twenty-Eight Subduing Dragon Palms".

The tent fell into a deathly silence, with only the slightly heavy breathing of a few people remaining.

The Seven Heroes of Jiangnan were all knowledgeable and experienced. While they wouldn't claim to be an expert on all the martial arts in the world, they had certainly heard of many of them.

They were not entirely unfamiliar with the names of these two martial arts, especially the name "Dragon Subduing Palm," which was vaguely related to the Beggar Clan's ultimate technique in martial arts legends and was the pinnacle of the most powerful and fierce external palm techniques.

The "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" is a protective divine skill originating from the Western Regions Tantric Buddhism. It specializes in cultivating physical strength and is considered unparalleled in the Central Plains.

His Majesty……

They actually bestowed such a divine martial arts manual, which can be called a treasure of the martial arts world, directly upon the new army?

Used to build a foundation and strengthen the physique of soldiers?

"This...this..."

Guo Xiaotian's fingers trembled as he stroked the cover of "The Twenty-Eight Subduing Dragon Palms," as if he were afraid the book was an illusion that would shatter at the slightest touch.

Although he was not a martial arts practitioner, he knew that such a secret manual could cause bloodshed in the martial arts world, and all sects treasured it as their own lives, with ordinary disciples having no chance to see the whole thing.

Your Majesty...

Has it been sent out?

For military training?

Yang Tiexin was equally excited, and he thought about it more deeply.

Your Majesty has bestowed a huge amount of military funds to enrich their granaries; and bestowed such divine martial arts manuals to strengthen their bodies and bones!

This is to transform the new army, from the inside out, into a truly ferocious force!

This trust and expectation is as heavy as a mountain!

Zhu Cong took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady: "The Twenty-Eight Subduing Dragon Palms..."

"It is said to be the secret technique of the Beggars' Sect, which is not passed on to anyone but a disciple who has made great contributions and has excellent character and aptitude. Its palm strike is extremely powerful and is known as 'Dragon Subduing'."

"His Majesty actually possesses the complete text... and even allows the army to practice it?"

Although Ke Zhen'e was blind, his ears twitched slightly, as if trying to catch the invisible "aura" of the manual. He said in a deep voice, "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill..."

"When I was young, I heard a wandering monk from the Western Regions mention that it is the supreme protective divine skill of Tantric Buddhism, which focuses on cultivating qi, blood, muscles and bones. Once mastered, one can have the strength of a dragon or elephant, and it is the best for strengthening one's foundation."

"If soldiers can achieve this merit and build a foundation, and then combine it with a coordinated attack formation..."

"Their individual combat capabilities probably far surpass those of ordinary elite troops."

Han Xiaoying couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty's actions..."

"It's simply...unbelievable."

"The divine skills that martial artists dream of are merely considered 'techniques' for strengthening the army in His Majesty's eyes?"

"It's simply...unbelievable."

"The divine skills that martial artists dream of are merely considered 'techniques' for strengthening the army in His Majesty's eyes?"

Guo Xiaotian slammed the wooden box shut, clutching it tightly to his chest as if it were a priceless treasure. His face was a mixture of unparalleled excitement and a heavy sense of responsibility as he looked at Yang Tiexin: "Tiexin!"

"His Majesty is practically plucking the stars from the sky to use as torches for us!"

"How do we practice this skill?"

"Who is it for?"

Yang Tiexin's eyes burned with fervor: "Brother, His Majesty trusts us greatly; how could we dare to betray him?"

"These two techniques, especially the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique, are indeed the best methods for strengthening muscles, bones, qi, and blood."

"You, me, and those among the Seven Heroes who are skilled in this art can study it first, discard the dross and retain the essence, simplify it to the most basic, easiest to learn, and most foundational parts, and promote it throughout the army to strengthen their physique."

"Once we discover the truly promising talents among them, those who possess the right character, integrity, and loyalty, we will proceed step by step and impart more in-depth knowledge."

"The Dragon Subduing Palm technique is extremely powerful and fierce. A very small number of loyal and brave soldiers can be selected and taught the first three or five palms as a trump card for surprise attacks on the front lines, killing generals and capturing flags."

"This matter must be handled with utmost care; it is better to have nothing than something of poor quality!"

"Alright! We'll do as you say!" Guo Xiaotian nodded emphatically, then looked at the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Seven Heroes, we'll need to rely heavily on your insight and experience in this matter!"

Ke Zhen'e replied resolutely, "It is our duty! We admire Your Majesty's magnanimity. We will do everything in our power to help the General build such a strong army!"

The people inside the tent were filled with excitement, as if they could already see the invincible figures of this new army, which was infused with His Majesty's expectations and had a foundation of divine power, roaring and charging on the battlefield of the future.

.....

Meanwhile, in the capital city, within the imperial court...

The morning light shone through the tall palace gates and windows, illuminating the gleaming gold-brick floor and highlighting the distinct colors of the official robes worn by the civil and military officials.

Beneath the gilded dragon pillar, wisps of smoke rise from the incense burner.

Today's court assembly had a slightly different atmosphere, because Minister of Works Shen Gai had submitted a memorial last night, requesting to present a "rare object" to the Emperor.

Lu Zuo sat high on the throne, his crown tassels hanging down over his face, making it impossible to see his exact expression, but he exuded a profound and imposing aura.

After the routine official business was concluded, he spoke calmly: "Minister Shen, is there any progress on the 'cement' that I previously instructed the Ministry of Works to develop?"

All eyes of the officials immediately focused on Shen Gai, who had stepped forward.

Many people looked curious, while a few showed disapproval in their eyes.

cement?

It sounds like something mundane and unremarkable; what's so special about it?

Shen Gai stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, his voice booming with barely suppressed excitement and pride: "Reporting to Your Majesty."

"Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune and the blessing of Heaven upon the Great Song Dynasty, I have been ordered to oversee the project. The master craftsmen of the Ministry of Works have been studying and experimenting day and night according to the methods of calligraphy bestowed by Your Majesty. Three days ago, they successfully fired up qualified 'cement'."

"Preliminary tests have shown that its properties are as Your Majesty described: as firm as a rock, and even more solid when exposed to water. It is truly a rare and exceptional material, unparalleled throughout history!"

"Oh?"

"As solid as a rock?"

"Isn't Minister Shen's statement a bit of an exaggeration?"

A censor-in-chief, dressed in a scarlet robe and with a refined appearance, spoke up, his tone carrying his usual scrutiny: "Construction projects concern the very foundation of the nation; how can they be treated lightly?"

"What criteria does Minister Shen use to define 'qualified'?"

Just how solid is it, described as "rock solid"?

Shen Gai seemed to have been prepared, and without haste, he bowed to the throne: "Your Majesty, hearing is believing, seeing is believing."

"The efficacy of cement is by no means empty talk."

"I have ordered my men to use the cement I have produced in the trial production to build a small model of a fortress in the workshop of the Ministry of Works, together with blue bricks. I respectfully invite Your Majesty and your colleagues to come and see it for your verification!"

Lu Zuo nodded slightly: "Granted."

"My lords, follow me to the Ministry of Works."

......

The emperor set off, accompanied by his officials, and the grand procession left the palace gates and headed towards the Ministry of Works.

Such a grand mobilization to see "gray soil" would have been almost unimaginable in the past, but now this emperor's actions are always unpredictable, and he recently killed the Jin chieftain, so his power is at its peak, and no one dares to complain, only curiosity and suspicion.

An empty space inside the Ministry of Works' workshops has now been cleared out.

A small castle model, made of blue bricks and gray "cement," stands in the center. It is about one person tall, with crenellations and doorways. Although it is rough, the structure is complete. The gray color contrasts sharply with the darker blue bricks next to it.

"Your Majesty, everyone please look. This fortress was built with freshly fired cement mixed with mortar and bricks, and it was left to dry for no more than two days."

Shen Gai said, "Which general would like to test its sturdiness?"

Among the ranks of military officers, a burly general with a bushy beard strode out. He was Huyan Tong, the deputy commander of the Palace Guard, known for his bravery and strength.

He had been itching to try for a while, and bowed respectfully to the throne, saying, "Your Majesty, this humble general is willing to give it a shot!"

"Alright," Lu Zuo agreed.

Hu Yantong walked up to the small castle, first pushing it with his hand, but it didn't budge. He let out a low shout, gathered all his strength, and slammed his fist into the castle wall!

boom!

A muffled thud.

Hu Yantong felt his fist go numb. Looking closely, he saw only a faint gray mark on the gray wall, with no signs of loosening or cracking in the bricks themselves!

"Huh?" Hu Yantong was surprised. He took two steps back, then suddenly turned to the side and slammed his shoulder into a corner of the castle!

Boom!

A duller thud followed. The castle swayed slightly, but the cement joints and blue bricks at the point of impact remained intact. Hu Yantong, however, was jolted awake by the impact, his shoulder aching, and he winced.

"The ash is so hard!"

Huyan Tong shook his arm, turned to Lu Zuo and the officials, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, I used seventy percent of my strength, and this cement wall is much stronger than a regular rammed earth wall!"

"Ordinary blows and chisels would hardly cause any damage!"

The officials were immediately in an uproar! They knew of Hu Yantong's strength; even with seven-tenths of his strength, he only managed to make the small model sway slightly, leaving the wall unharmed. This demonstrated the remarkable sturdiness of the "cement"!

This has only been airing for two days?

What if it takes even longer?

The Imperial Censor, who had previously raised questions, also stepped forward to take a closer look. He scratched at the cement joint with his hand and found it to be exceptionally hard, causing his color to change slightly.

Shen pressed his advantage: "Your Majesty, this cement is not only strong, but also sets quickly and is resistant to rain. Using it for city construction, dam repair, and house building will save time and effort, and greatly increase stability!"

"What is particularly valuable is that its raw materials are nothing more than ordinary things such as limestone and clay. If it can be widely adopted, it will truly be a blessing for construction and a boon for the nation!"

Lu Zuo quietly observed the small castle and the shocked, excited, and murmuring expressions of the officials. Finally, he spoke again, his voice calm yet like a boulder thrown into the center of a lake: "The benefits of this thing are certainly not limited to building walls."

Everyone immediately fell silent and listened to the imperial edict.

"Has Shen Qing ever tried using this cement mixed with sand and gravel to pave a road?"

Shen Gai was taken aback, and answered truthfully, "Your Majesty, the road paving has not yet been tested."

"However, given its properties, it should be much more solid and smooth than ordinary loess or gravel roads."

"It can be used not only for roads," Lu Zuo continued, his gaze seemingly piercing through the model before him and seeing into the distant future, "but also for building bridges, canals, and even large granaries and docks."

"However, if used in bridges or large buildings, a tough material needs to be added to resist tensile forces."

"Hmm... bamboo strips can be woven in multiple strands to replace iron bars and placed in cement to make it stronger and less prone to breakage."

"This substance may be called 'bamboo-reinforced cement'."

bamboo strips?

Replacement for steel bars?

Place it in cement to make it stronger?

The officials were once again stunned by this unheard-of idea. Several officials from the Ministry of Works had their eyes gleaming, as if a door to a new world had been opened for them!

Yup!

Cement is strong but easily stretched, while bamboo is flexible!

Combining the two...

It's like a match made in heaven!

Moreover, bamboo is readily available and much cheaper than iron!

Build roads! Construct bridges! Construct dams! Build granaries!

These words swirled in the minds of the officials. Combined with the sturdiness displayed by the small castle before them, and the thought of building sturdy bridges spanning rivers, wide official roads impervious to wind and rain, and giant granaries storing millions of bushels of grain using "bamboo-reinforced cement"...

What earth-shattering changes would that bring to the empire's transportation, canal transport, economy, and military?

The initial doubts and disdain in the Wende Hall had long since vanished, replaced by a mixture of shock, ecstasy, and profound awe at the unfathomable wisdom of the young emperor on the throne.

This seemingly insignificant "gray soil" may very well become the cornerstone that supports the future of the Song Dynasty!

After the court session ended, the miraculous stories about "cement" and "bamboo-reinforced cement" spread like wildfire throughout the officialdom, causing a more lasting and pragmatic shock and heated discussion than the previous emperor's execution of the Jin chieftain.

The workshops of the Ministry of Works became one of the most sought-after and heavily guarded places in the entire capital overnight.