Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"I know, I was just sulking! I hated it so much! Why did I insist on standing guard that day? Why didn't I just slack off that day? I only make a few hundred coins a month, why would I risk my life for that?"

"Wait, is this all you get in a month?"

"It's just an internship after all. As a hereditary Jinyiwei, I do have a salary, but it goes to my guardian. I only have a few hundred wen allowance to use, and it seems my master specially applied for it for me."

"Tsk, have you considered taking the Thunder Department's stipend?"

"Forget it. I don't work for the Thunder Department. I'm just using the Thunder Department's note to ask for leave. Once I start working on my own, I can get my wages with peace of mind."

As he spoke, he glanced at the station sign and saw that the subway would arrive in a few minutes.

"Although I didn't participate in the competition, thank you for inviting me to the celebration. By the way, who else was there besides me?"

"And Xiao Han. We'll meet up when we change buses."

"Where's Gao Shiyu?"

"Why did we invite him to the Thunder Department gathering? This is our own business. Oh, and by the way, we're welcoming a new member this time. He's my apprentice."

"Oh~~~ You have an apprentice? That's amazing. I wonder when I'll be able to take one in."

"Have you decided when you will start your apprenticeship?"

"Once you graduate from university and officially start working, you can do so until I officially inherit the position. Because my family's hereditary position is currently being temporarily inherited by my grandfather, and he will give it to me when I grow up."

"By the way, which school are you planning to apply to?"

"It depends on whether I can succeed in the autumn drills." Wen Yuan looked at him. "It's the same as yours. If I get a good ranking in the autumn drills, then everything will be fine. If not, then I'll have to take the exam myself. If everything goes well, if everything goes well, I should be able to get into the Yingtian Artillery Academy."

"Yingtian Artillery Academy? What is that?"

"One of the highest-ranking military institutions. The Artillery Academy's research focuses not only on artillery, but also on aerospace and rocketry. It's where the Imperial Guards are trained, and the Imperial Uniform Guards also recruit from there. Have I told you about the organization of the Royal Division?"

"I really haven't said that."

"Broadly speaking, the imperial army consists of four parts: the Imperial Guard, the Navy, the Army, and the Border Army. The Imperial Guard is the army stationed in the northern and southern Zhili regions, directly under the command of the Emperor. The Army and Navy are organized into six departments. The Border Army is the army of the Marquis of Pingxi and the Marquis of Jingnan that you have seen. The Lan Fang Army is also one of the Border Army, and it is the strongest of the Border Army. After the Lan Fang, the Marquis of Pingxi is the second strongest, the Marquis of Jingnan is the third, and the other inner vassal states also have their own Border Army. As for the tributary state of Korea, they are not considered the imperial army, but they are occasionally organized into battles with the royal army."

After joking, he looked at Shangluo: "Why are you asking this suddenly?"

"Because the next step is military reform, someone consulted me for my opinion."

"Wait a minute." Wen Yuan suddenly looked up. "So, do you also know about the Autumn Military Exercises?"

"I actually know! And..."

"How about we exchange some messages?"

"Is this in accordance with Zhou Li?"

"Alas! Why bother with Zhou rituals when fighting a war? We're not Duke Xiang of Song. Just fighting an intelligence war will make it realistic enough, right? And I have news too. I heard that the next competition will be very different. I heard it through the crack of the door."

The two exchanged news with each other.

"As expected." Wen Yuan nodded. "It seems that if this autumn drill is to be realistic enough, I need to prepare in advance and enter a real combat state. Yeah, that's fine. Unlike your team, our training school represents the Imperial Guards, and we are unbeatable. This is because we have the best equipment and the best training. As for whether we are the best source of soldiers, I think so, because I am one of them."

"I'll consult about the situation then. If possible."

"If you could, could you tell me?"

Shangluo gave him a thumbs up and they smiled at each other.

The train is coming. Although Shangluo can use the subway to travel quickly, he still wants to ride safely today.

Tangshan is on the outskirts of Yingtian, and you have to transfer to the Yujing Railway's intercity tram at Yingtian North Station.

Also gathered there was Han Xingzhi, who had come by bus from another part of the city and was coming from a different route than the other two.

"Oh, Lu Liang is almost here." Wen Yuan glanced at Feixun.

"Why is she here too?" Han Xingzhi asked.

"Because our Lord Shang Tian is treating us. To celebrate, all members of the Thunder Department can go on a day trip to Tangshan."

"Tsk, I thought we were going to Vientiane."

"You all want to go to Vientiane?"

"Because we've been to Tangshan before," Han Xingzhi tilted his head. "There are several other fun places around Yingtian. Of all the great attractions you can visit on the same day, Tangshan is the best. So we must have been there."

"The Thunder Department has limited funds, so this is the only way. I didn't take you guys out for dinner because I had some spare money recently. It's my treat, so just go, why bother with so much."

"Yes, yes, Lord Shang," Wen Yuan responded. "Although I'm a little tired lately and want to take a bath. If you hadn't suggested going to Tangshan, I would have gone to Wengtang by myself."

"Wengtang? What's that place?" Shangluo seemed to have heard the name occasionally, and seemed to remember it. But it was too long ago, and on the map it was just a public bathhouse.

Chapter 534 Attractions

"A large bathhouse between Jubao Gate and the Imperial Guards' headquarters on Yuhuatai. It was built during the Hongwu reign. When Nanjing City was being built, Emperor Taizu personally ordered the construction of public bathhouses within the city. It's still open today, and the Hongwu bathhouses are still in use. The water there is boiling hot."

“Is there such a place?”

He remembered the bowl of wontons he had eaten with Sa Tianshi on the street of Confucius Temple.

Looking up, he asked Wen Yuan, "Are there many old places in Yingtian City still open?"

"There are quite a few. Even though our area has been urbanized for over a hundred years, only very distinctive, established shops like Weng Tang are more likely to remain open. But if you think about it from another perspective, a shop that's been open for thirty years can also be called an old shop, right? It's not that young anymore."

"Then there will be something in those old stores."

"What's going on? Is there a ghost? I can't rule it out."

"Really?"

"It's normal to have one or two ghosts in such a bright and clear place in broad daylight."

"what?"

"Look at all these people, there must be a place where two ghosts can be kept. The Dali Temple is still handling the case and there are still some problems. Maybe the City God Temple has missed a few people."

"Okay, I understand." Shangluo nodded.

After proving his "strength" and achieving Daozu's small gift, he now had to focus more on the big plans for the future. A very important point was how to build the Pure Land.

If there were a way to preserve a person's "will" under normal circumstances, without him intervening, it would undoubtedly be a significant aid to the Pure Land. Furthermore, Shangluo was planning to invite them all to the Pure Land. For example, the wonton stall would be better off opening its class in a more suitable location.

The streets of Confucius Temple were truly... Shangluo felt that it was probably because of the Celestial Master's protection, simply because Celestial Master Sa often ate there. However, even with the Celestial Master's protection, the wonton stall owner was no longer able to speak. He could no longer communicate with Shangluo through words, and could only use gestures.

This situation was clearly not good. If things got any worse, the wonton stall would be gone. He also guessed that Master Sa Tianshi had chosen to meet there to discuss this matter.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. After the Jinei ascended to "Heaven," those people and objects that shouldn't have stayed there should be placed in their proper places. Whether it's finding another way out or just preserving them where they are, they can't just hang there like this, basking in the sun without a purpose.

"Ah~~~" Shangluo sighed, "But that's not what I should do today. I'm here for a day off!"

"Brother, have you never been to Tangshan?"

“I have been here before.”

But not this year.

But Tangshan Hot Springs is still a hot spring, so it's pretty much the same. People have similar preferences, and this place is probably no different.

I got off at Tangshan Station on the Yujing Railway.

The first thing that catches your eye is the East Factory Yamen!

The words "East Factory Supervisor's Office" were engraved on a stele standing by the roadside. Inside was a large, dark government office, still closed.

"Wow, the East Factory Yamen is here?" Shangluo asked in surprise.

"There are a lot of government offices here," Wen Yuan replied. "The Yingtian Artillery Academy and the Infantry Academy are also here. The location here is quite good. It's just the right distance from Yingtian City, only half an hour away by tram, and it's very secluded. Many garrisons are stationed here, and many army and navy personnel also rotate and rest here - but the Dongchang Yamen has been closed for a long time. It's now a tourist attraction. Otherwise, how could the words "Dongchang Yamen" be written? It should say Dongjishichang Yamen - that's right."

Wen Yuan asked, "Which hot spring should we go to?"

"The hot springs at Longchang Temple."

"Oh, oh, oh!" Wen Yuan exclaimed, "That's great! How did you know that?"

"I saw it on a forum. Someone recommended it, and really recommended it. Is there anything special about it?"

"Ha! You'll know when you go! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Han Xingzhi, who was standing by, was also puzzled and asked, "Really? What's so fun there?"

"Don't ask, you'll know when you go. I went there with my grandfather when I was a kid, but it was a bit expensive. Monk stuff is a bit pricey. At that time, it was a team-building event organized by the cabinet, and the cabinet paid for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to come here."

"Did I win the jackpot right away?" Shangluo touched his chin. "I get lucky sometimes."

He just wanted to find an opportunity for team building and a meeting, as the work of the Thunder Department would soon enter the next phase. Since he had a meeting and needed to relax, finding a hot spring was a good idea—because it was secluded.

After all, the affairs of the Thunder Department couldn't be discussed in the Golden Arches. Although that place was also the territory of the Jinyiwei and was confidential enough, discussing confidential topics in front of a pile of hamburgers was really a bit unbearable.

He had taken a fancy to this hot spring because it provided a place for discussion - and now it seemed that the cabinet also frequently came here for team-building, so it was indeed a good place.

"Hey? Why haven't they come yet?" Shangluo also looked back.

"Who is it?" Han Xingzhi asked, "Who else?"

"What else could there be?" Wen Yuan murmured, "Our two eldest daughters. Well, there's another one whose name I don't know, our Shang Tianjun's apprentice, a new member of the Thunder Department. Ha, then I have to show off my senior status. We military academy students have to be divided into gentlemen and juniors. Those who come first are gentlemen, and those who come later are juniors. We..."

Suddenly, a familiar presence appeared behind him.

He turned around suddenly and saw a stretched car passing by him. A pair of sharp, old eyes appeared in the window frame.

"Wow!" Han Xingzhi recognized it. "Isn't that the cabinet's license plate? Why is it here today?"

"Ah!" Wen Yuan slapped her head. "I was wondering why my grandfather was packing his things this morning when I was packing my backpack. He even asked me where I was going, and I just said I'd be back tomorrow because 'Shang Tianjun' invited me. He didn't say anything. It turns out the court is having a team-building event here today! Since the race just ended, everyone who should be here is here, so they invited everyone to rest up in Tangshan."

"All here?" Shangluo asked in surprise.

"Yes! Longchang Temple is of a very high rank! Although it's inferior to Bao'en Temple, as a tourist attraction, Longchang Temple was given the name by Emperor Wanli, a golden signboard. So whenever the court has any banquets, big or small, they will come here for a visit. It's over, it's over. Why does it feel like attending court? Why don't we run! There's still time to run now."

Chapter 535

"What are you afraid of? What's there to be afraid of?" Shang Luo looked at them. "You're not teachers. Only teachers would nag you. They're the boss's boss's boss. They might not have the time to bother with us."

Shangluo looked down at the time and said, "It seems like the three of them should be here soon."

"Wait, the three of them? Coming together?" Han Xingzhi's ears twitched. "So all three are girls? Lu Liang is coming, Phaethon is coming, and Squad Leader Qi is coming too?"

"It's not her. She said she's not free today."

"Could it be... Ahhhh! Big Brother! Could it be that your apprentice is a girl? Ahhh! I know why you would rather accept her than me! It's because I'm not a girl!"

"That's right!" Shang Luo looked at him. "It's because you're not a woman that I don't want to accept you as my apprentice. Do you have any objections?"

"No."

"What do you think?"

"No, no. I'm quite firm in my gender identity. If I don't accept you, then I won't. But who is your apprentice? Why haven't you mentioned it before?"

"You've seen it, too. Both of you."

"Hmm?" Both of them looked in that direction——

"Uh. Eh? Oh!!!!" The two people's expressions were like a slider going from 0% to 100%. "Yanqiu! It's Miss Yanqiu! So she's your apprentice!"

"Brother!" Wen Yuan immediately hugged his hands, "Brother! From today on, you are my brother!"

"Oh, I've already said one, that's enough."

"I was here first! No matter what, I should be the one to do this little brother!"

"You're a head taller than me. Do you have the nerve to call me big brother?"

"Master Guan is a head taller than Liu Bei, so what's wrong with calling me Big Brother? Big Brother! Today I must call you Big Brother! Can Miss Yanqiu also be accepted as a disciple? I can't even think about it!"

"Brother! I'm your real little brother!" Han Xingzhi hugged the other one, "That guy is cramming at the last minute, what good is that?"

"What the hell are you two doing?"

"Signatures! We want signatures!" the two men said in unison. "We want signatures!"

"Where to sign?"

"Sign it with my hand." Han Xingzhi raised his left hand.

"Sign my forehead!" Wen Yuan pointed at his forehead.

"You guys are here for the hot springs! Will signing your body be useful?"