Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

“This is a dish with soul. This is a dish with soul.”

"Actually, the whole table is covered with various mushrooms." Lu Liang murmured, "Oh, by the way, is it popular to eat steak in Phaethon's place?"

"Oh, yes." Phaethon nodded. "Over there, it's popular to grill large pieces of beef on an iron plate. It's Italian food, not as popular in Greece, but there are quite a few restaurants that do that. I usually eat some game I've hunted myself occasionally. If I had to choose, I prefer grilled venison."

"What about the beef?"

"Beef? That's fine too. Wait, there's more here."

"Yes, we have imitation meat steaks. But they are quite difficult to make. Yanqiu is waiting in line for you over there, she should be here soon. Oh, she's back."

A steak, a real steak, drizzled with black pepper sauce, was placed before her. It looked exactly the same, without a single flaw.

"Steak?" she asked Yanqiu.

"Mmmmm, steak."

She couldn't quite believe it, but she still took out her chopsticks and poked a hole in them.

When the chopsticks were inserted, the fibers separated one by one, and the meat juices overflowed from the fibers. It was exactly the same.

The steak has been cut in advance, so you just need to use chopsticks when it is served.

She picked up a chopstick.

"How is it?" Yanqiu asked.

"Ninety percent! This tastes at least ninety percent right, but the appearance and texture don't look right. It's too dark, and it looks well-done, but it's a little tender, like it's medium-rare. But the flavor is very clear, and it feels well-done. In short, although you can taste it, it's very realistic, and the imitation is very skilled. The Romans loved this kind of dish."

"Romans like freshly prepared dishes, right?" Shangluo asked from the opposite side.

"Yeah, yeah. We used to have a bad habit of putting inedible things on the table, like all sorts of weird, wasteful giant cakes. Sometimes, when you opened the cake, there would be a band hidden inside. We haven't been doing that much in recent years, but the Romans still prefer... more innovative dishes. These dishes are really innovative!"

"Actually, it's still mushrooms holding a meeting." Shangluo muttered, and then asked Yanqiu, "How are simulated steaks made? Mushrooms?"

"Yes, it's still mushrooms, but this one is made of Hericium erinaceus. I saw it. I saw the chef find a large Hericium erinaceus and fry it in a pan. He compressed it while frying it, and compressed the spherical Hericium erinaceus into a cake like this."

My eyes... I can barely recognize meat anymore. This is a mushroom, and that's also a mushroom. Is there anything that isn't a mushroom?

Shangluo asked in turn.

"Yes, yes." Han Xingzhi, who was sitting next to him, replied, "Besides the mushroom series, there's the dried tofu series. Mushrooms and dried tofu, dried tofu and mushrooms, you can't tell the difference no matter how you eat them."

"Ah," Phaethon sighed, "Is this really in accordance with the precepts? Shangluo must have sensed it. He feels like he's eating a fish from the void. The monks here created a fish from the void for him to eat. Does this count as empty killing?"

"From a Buddhist perspective, yes," Han Xingzhi replied, "but this isn't a place for spiritual practice. This is a special service the temple provides to tourists—just like the open-air movies outside. In the past, the temple employed opera troupes, and the selections were made by drawing lots. Serving guests is part of the temple's service. The more fun it is, the more likely it is to attract customers to invest. Over time, these imitation meat dishes have emerged. They're a curiosity in themselves, and no one would eat them as a meal. But if you occasionally try meat, it's quite a novelty. Longchang Temple is a great place to 'try' these dishes, because the price is included in the bathing fee. By the way."

He pointed to the side and said, "By the way, those old men can come here and find some topics to talk about."

Shangluo looked in the direction he pointed: he saw Wen Zhong, Elder Wen. There were also a bunch of old men, some he had met once, and some he hadn't, sitting at a few tables close together, enjoying hot pot. They were also tasting the dishes, comparing the simulated eel with the real thing.

"Wow," Shangluo exclaimed, "Are you sure they're here for a meeting? It looks to me like they're here for a vacation."

"It's a bit of both. Anyway, since they needed a place to talk on the weekend, they chose this 'senior activity center'."

"Oh, by the way, where's Wen Yuan?"

"He was seen by a certain elder while he was getting his food. He was talking to him over there, and it took a while before he could start getting his food. He's queuing over there now. Let's eat ours first and ignore him."

After the meal, the table was spotless. The only rule about eating in the temple was that no food should be wasted. They ate every dish they were given, both meat and vegetables.

"Speaking of which," Shangluo muttered, "are the imitation meat dishes here actually unhealthy?"

"That's for sure," Lu Liang replied from the opposite side. "Those imitation meat dishes have a different taste, so they have to use flavor to cover it up. The flavor can't be compromised at all, and it's better to put more than less. So they're heavy on the oil and seasoning, and it's definitely not very healthy to eat."

"But from a simulation perspective, the work here can be considered art to some extent. Hmm. This seems to be useful."

"For example?" Lu Liang's eyes lit up. She knew that it seemed to be an important step.

"Phaethon, take your notes and tell me. The rest is about what happens after dinner. They have a meeting, and we also have a meeting to attend."

Phaethon pulled out his notes and explained, "This is mainly about this paragraph. Next, the Thunder Department will begin expanding and forming the Divine Machine Battalion. Under these circumstances, we'll need to provide some supplies to the lower realms. So, what have you come up with?"

She asked Shangluo.

"I was thinking of the 'steamed buns' made by Zhuge Liang, using steamed buns to replace human heads."

"Are you going to skimp on the food for the Beans? Replacing canned food with imitation food? Don't do that. From my experience, they're quite happy if you play a joke on them now and then. But if you try to secretly reduce the quality of their meals by 'replacing bread with steamed buns,' they'll be very angry."

"No, Doudou's money can't be cut. However, the Yue soldiers from the lower realm can be replaced with some paper men and straw horses. The Shenji Camp needs a lot of people, so we have to recruit more Yue soldiers to fill out the lineup."

Chapter 549: The Firepower of the Divine Machine Battalion

"Shenjiying, huh? That's a good idea." Wen Yuan nodded.

When it comes to mobilizing troops, there are two professionals present.

Wen Yuan and Lu Liang were both students at the Wutaishan Training Institute. In theory, they had been engaged in military training for ten years, which was longer than the lifetime service of conscripted soldiers in many foreign countries.

However, their elementary school years were more like riding horses, fighting wars and playing house. The biggest difference is that they have to learn a few more courses classified as "history of military thought", such as "Six Strategies" and "The Art of War", and more recent classics such as "Jixiao Xinshu" and "Dushi Fangyu Jiyao".

In middle school, there will be real military education courses, including the military bayonet that Shangluo had learned before, as well as horsemanship, battlefield hygiene, and many field training.

"By the way," Shangluo asked, "do you guys usually have training? Where do you train?"

"It's actually not far from here. We share a playground with the Yingtian Infantry School—after all, we can't practice shooting in the center of Jiangning. If we raise the muzzle 30 degrees, we'll hit the buildings outside. Each of us uses at least 1500 rounds of ammunition every year."

"You have a good appetite then." Shangluo muttered, "I'm not kidding, you're pretty impressive for firing a thousand rounds a year."

"Actually, they're not rifle bullets," Lu Liang replied. "Rifle bullets require 1,500 pulls of the bolt, and even a semi-automatic requires hundreds of volleys. Your hands will break. Most of them are actually machine gun bullets—and there's also the thrill of shooting, and reloading... well, when they're all gone, we have to reload them ourselves. But in the future..."

Halfway through her conversation, she asked Wen Yuan, "Can you tell me about that gun?"

"Shangluo was there that day. It's no secret at all. It's the storm gun. After switching to the storm gun, firing 1500 rounds of rifle ammunition a year is no problem. Just pull the trigger and it fires a whole volley."

"What is a storm gun?" Yanqiu was the only one present who had never heard of this term.

"It's a kind of rifle." Wen Yuan thought for a moment, "a rifle that fires intermediate-power rounds."

"What is the intermediate power bullet?"

"This," he knew how to put it in layman's terms, "means it can hit farther than a submachine gun, but closer than a rifle."

“That sounds amazing.”

"It's truly impressive. In the past, we used squad machine guns to conduct this kind of continuous fire suppression. Now that everyone is equipped with storm guns, everyone will be able to provide fire suppression. Also, everyone here has a very high level of confidentiality, so it's okay to talk about it. Shangluo also saw that the research and development of the Jusu firearm is nearing completion. If you want to form the Shenji Battalion, why not equip the Jusu firearm?"

"Can I take it out and use it?" Shangluo asked.

"If you're talking about that, it should be possible. Although the confidentiality level is very high, it's still the court's business, not the Heavenly Court's. As for you, Lord Shang Tian, you can actually discuss anything. There's nothing you can't discuss. Your position is outside of all levels, so you can connect with anyone. You can be compared to a more powerful version of the Imperial Guard."

"Oh, I know that. Jinyiwei is three levels higher than the official, right?"

"It depends. Jinyiwei usually carry a badge of imperial envoy when doing business, which is three levels higher than the official rank. But I've never had one. Domestic business is usually handled in Beizhen, and such a show-off job is not something a little brat like me can do. All I can do is help my master. To be honest, my business scope suddenly expanded after I met you. Before that, no matter where I went, I had no business."

"Then you still have to thank me?"

"Ah yes, I do have to thank you. So if the Shenji Camp here also needs my help, then I will be happy to help."

"Well, when the time comes, I'll have to trouble you to take care of those Torch Firearms. Oh, and speaking of the future firepower configuration of the Thunder Department, there's actually one more thing I'm not sure if it needs to be kept secret."

"What does it have to do with?"

"The one who is the leader of the Thirteen Guardians"

"Stop!!! I can't know this!"

"I think you can."

"Then... it's fine." Wen Yuan touched his head, "Anyway, as long as Shang Tianjun thinks it's okay, then it's fine."

"Is this all right?"

"Since you're in charge of matters in heaven, of course you can do whatever you think is right. Daozu's personal appointment is more effective than anything else. So, what are the arrangements for the Lianshan?"

"Don't you know? You know the leader of the Thirteen Guardians is on the Lianshan, right?"

“I do know, but I don’t think I know. When no one asks, I’m in a state of both knowing and not knowing.”

"So you are... How did you know? Now that I'm asking, you can figure it out, right?"

"Oh, that ship is right next to our school. I can occasionally see General Number One after school. He's always here, and with this ship nearby, anyone can guess he's staking out here."

"Actually, I know that too." Lu Liang also shook his head. "After all, there are over 13 million people in Yingtian Prefecture. With so many secrets under our noses, keeping secrets is quite difficult. It's already quite impressive that they can keep it secret to our level. After all, you have to know that there are people like him in the Jinyiwei who are specifically stationed to guard important locations, and then know that there is such a person before you can link the Lianshan to him - By the way, can the Jusu cannon on the Lianshan be used?"

"It will be ready soon. You know more than him! Did you even know it was the Torch Cannon? The Imperial Guards are colanders?"

"Well, this actually has nothing to do with the Jinyiwei. I heard it when I went to Wudang for cram school during the summer vacation. Oh, by the way, my master said that Shangluo, you are almost done, right? If you go to Wudang during the winter vacation, we can go together."

"That's indeed alright. But I feel like Qigong practitioners aren't very secretive with each other."

"Hmm," Lu Liang thought for a moment, "or maybe it's because our circle is too small, resulting in no barriers between us, no distinction between superiors and subordinates. From the perspective of civilizational history, we are currently in a state of 'primitive abundance'. Relative to the total number of Qigong practitioners, various resources are extremely abundant. Aside from spiritual energy, which is truly beyond anyone's reach, everything else is basically easy to obtain."

"I just don't know what will happen next. Anyway, the Lianshan will become the base of operations for the Shenjiying. It's said that thing can fly. I plan to send it to the South Seas first. There are too many people here. Nothing can be hidden under the noses of 13 million people. Wen Yuan, if you have time, can you help me take care of the cannons on the ship and teach the Doudou how to use them?"

Take a break on the weekend, good night everyone

Chapter 550 Anchor Point

"So you want to talk about something so important?"

The mystery that had troubled him for many years was finally solved. The Lianshan ship docked in the harbor was intended for Shangluo.

"I didn't expect that ship was actually prepared for you. You have such great authority." Wen Yuan looked at him. "If I remember correctly, the construction of that ship started before I was even born."

"Oh, I remember that, too," Lu Liang replied. "I remember when I was a kid, my dad was busy with that ship for a while, and it wasn't until recently that it was almost finished. When it was first built, the entire ship was kept extremely secret. Then, as the cabin roof was sealed, the confidentiality level gradually returned to normal, becoming more 'reasonable'. At that level before, I would have believed you if you said there were aliens buried inside."

"Huh? Is that so outrageous?"

"You haven't been there yet? On a ship?"

“No, I went, and I saw Daozu’s Xuantan on the boat.”

"That's on top of the island. I meant underneath." Lu Liang lowered his voice. "I heard there's something very powerful hidden inside."

"what?"

Wen Yuan answered directly: "Dian Long."

"Crazy Dragon?"

"Top secret. Lord Shang Tian, you don't know either, right?"

Shangluo shook his head. He hadn't told him about this for so long.

"Because this thing is so dangerous, no one wants to talk about it anymore."

Yanqiu, who was standing by, suddenly thought, "Let me interrupt. In next year's big movie, 'Wang Lingguan vs. Feitian Yaksha,' Feitian Yaksha has the same character setting. In the plot, the Romans didn't dare mention Feitian Yaksha's name. If they did, Feitian Yaksha would come to their doorstep. So no one mentioned Feitian Yaksha's name."

Wen Yuan was stunned for a moment. "If I remember correctly, the producer of the film is Sazu?"

Yanqiu nodded: "So when you mentioned this characteristic, I wondered if Sazu was reminding us of something."

"Where is the script? Did you bring the script?" Wen Yuan asked.

"No, that thing makes my scalp tingle. I plan to look at it later. But if you really say so, he is leaving us with questions. Shangluo, what do you think?"

"Yeah," Shangluo nodded. "Sa Zu did tell me that. He said that in order to cope with the possible future that no one wants to see, we need to use movies to prepare everyone mentally. I think his frequent social activities are also preparations for this. As expected, the actions of the Heavenly Master need to be read. So, what exactly is the Crazy Dragon?"

"Yes," Wen Yuan said in a low voice, "It is said that he is a fallen god."

"A fallen god? What does that look like?"

"It's said that at midnight, when the moon waxed and waned, in the early years before construction was complete, the crazed, struggling roars of a dragon could occasionally be heard from the ship. It wasn't until the cabin was covered that peace finally returned."

"Yes, I remember that too," Lu Liang nodded. "At the time, there was a rumor going around that maybe one of the Jinyiwei's elephants had escaped, because the sound was so similar. But then I thought, that's impossible. How could such a loud noise come from? Some people said it was thunder or some new airplane. Of course, only my dad and the others speculated, wondering if it was some fallen god."

"A fallen god? In what sense? What god?"

"You've hit upon the ultimate question—in our day and age, defining 'God' itself is the ultimate question. After all, aside from the Heaven and Earth of Confucianism and the Jade Emperor of Taoism, there's nothing we can truly call a 'true God.' As for the Buddha, he himself declared himself not a God. Therefore, if we can clearly answer what this 'God' is, then all questions will be answered. But what is certain is that it is an immense force, worthy of our entire nation's efforts to 'deal with' it."

"In that case, wouldn't Shangluo be even more powerful?" Yanqiu asked.

"Tsk tsk tsk." Lu Liang shook his head. "Rather than saying it's more powerful, it's more like saying it's enormously powerful."

“But I don’t feel anything.”

"Even I don't feel anything." Phaethon added, "He eats and drinks as usual every day, and apart from staying up late to read comic books, he doesn't have any other hobbies. But it seems that every time when it comes to the critical moment, he can always make it. Why is it?"

"Yeah." Shangluo nodded, "Perhaps, I can go meet Daozu."