Chaos of Ming 1628

The atmosphere on Pi Island is gradually becoming similar to that of Hejian Prefecture.

When people's livelihoods are stable and secure, they will feel much more relaxed.

Sun Qing and Mao Wenlong sat facing each other in the tent, drinking and chatting.

Mao Wenlong picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and smacked his lips: "Sun Caishen, tell me, we have plenty to eat, drink, and spend money on Pi Island, but what's the state of the Ming Dynasty now?"

"You're well-informed, so tell me about it."

Mao Wenlong, standing on Lotus Mountain, was beaming with pride. Thinking of his blissful life on Pi Island, his voice grew louder:

"I heard that His Majesty has increased taxes again. The Liaodong tax, the suppression tax, and the training tax are all being levied together."

"Nowadays, taxes are increasing day by day. When people can't pay their taxes, they flee. When they flee, they rebel. When they rebel, they are killed."

"In particular, several new groups of people have risen up in Shaanxi this year. It hasn't stopped since the first year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, and now the more we try to suppress them, the more numerous and chaotic they become."

He paused, took another swig of wine, and said with a hint of disdain, "You know Yuan Chonghuan, right?"

"But he made a boast in front of His Majesty. His arrival made us military officers unable to hold our heads high."

"But did he succeed?"

At this point, Mao Wenlong glanced cautiously at Sun Qing, after all, he didn't know what exactly was going on between Sun Qing and Yuan Chonghuan.

Seeing that Sun Qing neither agreed nor disagreed, he continued, "He's very busy, busy negotiating peace with the Later Jin in Liaodong, and busy asking the emperor for money."

Sun Qing didn't want to speak up, but there was something Mao Wenlong hadn't mentioned, so he was busy killing Mao Wenlong on Shuangdao Island.

Mao Wenlong was still rambling on when Sun Qing paused, her chopsticks momentarily still.

Mao Wenlong, oblivious to the commotion, continued, as if he had started talking and couldn't stop: "Oh, right, there's also someone named Li Zicheng."

"He used to be a courier. After being laid off, he returned to his hometown of Mizhi, but he couldn't make a living there, so he gritted his teeth and rebelled."

"Now he's in Gao Yingxiang's army, known as the 'Rebel General.' I've heard that this guy is quite skilled in battle, running around Shaanxi, and the government troops just can't do anything about him."

Upon hearing the name Li Zicheng, Sun Qing's eyes suddenly lit up.

He then put down his cup, looked at Mao Wenlong again, and said, "Sir, what do you think of our Pi Island?"

When Pi Island was mentioned, Li Zicheng's face lit up with a smile.

He confidently declared, "Our Pi Island has plenty of grain and soldiers. Now, with you, our God of Wealth, even without Emperor Chongzhen, our Pi Island can be self-sufficient."

Mao Wenlong's words were simple, and all I could think of was: "As long as the soldiers are well-fed and clothed, and hold this line of defense, that's enough."

"Is that enough?" Sun Qing smiled and took a small sip of wine. "Lord Mao, you're thinking too simply."

Seeing Mao Wenlong's puzzled expression, Sun Qing gently put down his wine glass.

He slowly said, "The current situation of the Ming Dynasty is already laid out before us. Beset by internal and external troubles, it is simply impossible for any one person to reverse the situation."

Mao Wenlong nodded and sighed, "Tell me, how much longer can our Great Ming Dynasty hold out?"

Sun Qing's expression turned serious when this was mentioned.

Now, in the second year of the Chongzhen reign, this dynasty is nearing its end.

No one can change what's happening right now. Sun Qing looked up and sighed softly, "All we can do is watch."

"Lord Mao," Sun Qing said, then quickly regained his composure, "now that I am on Pi Island, you have seen the situation in the Ming Dynasty."

"I think it's better for us to prepare for some things sooner rather than later."

Mao Wenlong's eyes widened suddenly, and he shouted excitedly, "You want to rebel?"

"No," Sun Qing hurriedly interrupted Mao Wenlong, his eyes full of helplessness: "I have no such idea. Right now, we are beset by internal and external troubles, and the situation is unstable."

"The little silver in Hejian Prefecture won't last long. My grandfather is soft-hearted, and I'm afraid he won't be able to hold onto that pure land either."

"If that day ever comes, I only hope that there will be a place to settle down on the land of the Ming Dynasty."

Mao Wenlong didn't rush to speak, and after a moment's thought, asked, "What do you want?"

"Help me find someone."

"who!"

"Bo Jue".

The name startled Mao Wenlong, mainly because he had never heard of this person before.

However, since it was someone the God of Wealth wanted, they immediately complied.

In less than a month, the person was sent to Pi Island.

Bo Yu came with clearly defined knuckles, neatly trimmed nails, and a thin layer of calluses on her fingertips.

He was wearing an old, faded robe with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his thin forearms.

Sun Qing stood up, walked up to him, and examined him for a moment.

"Mr. Bo." He cupped his hands in greeting, his tone carrying a seriousness rarely seen on his face. "I heard that you made a telescope using two convex lenses, turning distant objects upside down, yet seeing them farther and clearer than any upright mirror."

Bo Yu's eyes suddenly lit up: "Have you met me, sir?"

Sun Qing said, "I also know that you made an armillary sphere and personally carved the bronze scales. You cast cannons that could shoot 20% farther than ordinary cannons."

He paused, looking into Bo Yu's slightly glowing eyes, and lowered his voice, but each word was clear: "What you've done is incomprehensible to others; they think it's nothing more than some strange tricks."

"But I'm telling you, I need you."

Bo Yu stood there, her sleeve twitching slightly, a faint tremor carrying a long-suppressed tension: "My lord... are you telling the truth?"

Sun Qing nodded solemnly.

Bo Yu was thrilled to hear Sun Qing's words, thinking it was a kidnapping. "Everyone says I'm crazy, but I never expected that only you understand me."

Sun Qing felt embarrassed by his words, but still patiently explained, "I understand, and I know how amazing these things you've been working on are. That's why Pi Island needs you."

"What can I do?" Bo Yu asked emotionally, overwhelmed with the joy of finally being appreciated.

For Sun Qing, he needed such a talented person. But for Bo Yu, Sun Qing was his mentor and benefactor.

Bo Yu quickly bowed deeply and said respectfully, "Young Master Sun, please feel free to ask me anything. I will do anything for you."

Sun Qing smiled.

People from the old days were much more reliable. If you could discover that someone was a gem, they would give you their life.

No wonder people in ancient times who rose up in rebellion always had such followers. They were not only good at making empty promises, but also at finding talent.

"I want these things."

Sun Qing took out the blueprints that he had already drawn but had been unable to manufacture.

These were all designed by Sun Qing based on his own memory.

Bo Yu initially glanced down at it, then froze.

He leaned closer to the first picture and suddenly sat up straight: "This...this isn't a musket."

"No, muskets don't have these rifling grooves, nor do they have this loading method. This thing has more than twice the range of a regular musket, and it can fire continuously?"

"This isn't right... How is this possible... One shot after another, without needing to reload..."

The further they looked, the brighter their eyes became: "And this cannon, its breech mechanism and powder chamber are separate?"

"Sir, what would happen if this thing were made?"

As he spoke, he became increasingly excited, and like a believer, he knelt down before Sun Qing, clutching the design drawings.

"This is what I really want to figure out and study."

"Don't worry, I will definitely, definitely make it."

Bo Yu was completely bewitched, laughing one moment, crying the next, kowtowing the next, her eyes fixed on the blueprints, calculating.

"Sun Caishen, do you think this guy is any good? Isn't he just a madman?" Mao Wenlong looked down on him completely when he saw his state.

"A madman?" Sun Qing put his hands behind his back. "He can make our island a true world."

"He makes whatever I ask for. Nobody will set foot on this island unless I give my approval."

Mao Wenlong's eyes lit up immediately.

Does this mean that no one can land on the island unless Ma Yu wants to?

Even the emperor!

"Alright," Mao Wenlong slapped his thigh, "Who told you to be our God of Wealth?"

"We will do our best to meet your needs."

Sun Qing nodded, calculating the time, and frowned slightly: "Oh, right, there's one more thing."

"The Later Jin have been making moves lately, so we must be careful. If Governor Yuan comes to the island, we should refuse him if possible!"

"Don't worry, he won't be able to freeload off me," Mao Wenlong replied with a smile.