Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"Lu Liang checked it out, and there's no problem. Basically, we're two campuses of the same school, so we can borrow personnel from each other. This is considered fair use."

"Well," he said without hesitation, "okay - but I said it's just a try. Don't expect me to perform too well, because I've never been on a chariot before."

"Don't worry, it's fun, it really is. Your job is the easiest, too. With you in our grade's tank detachment, we'll have 12 light and heavy tanks, ready to spearhead the assault at this year's National High School Student Autumn Martial Arts Exercise. If we win the ace crew, you'll also get a medal. The medal awarded at the exercise is a proper one, the Third Class Tiger Star. And there's also an invitation to the Imperial College."

"You have some over there?"

"We'll give out prizes to all three groups, civil and military, even though not many people showed up in the end. Didn't Daozu ask you to win the racing? Perhaps you can get a reward of the same level."

"Okay." Shangluo nodded. "If it doesn't take up my time, I can go and help. I'm not asking for the invitation, because it's probably useless. I'm going purely out of friendship. By the way, I'll also have you drive here."

"I knew that no one could refuse to drive a chariot, just like no one could refuse "Super Wang Lingguan". But...

"Do you have any other requests?"

Wen Yuan nodded. "I have one more small request. It's okay if you don't agree, but it would be a great help if you agree. Could your team help us inspect the tanks?"

"Huh? That's not a foul?"

"Well, let's talk about battlefield matters on the battlefield. This afternoon's inspection is actually homework. We all know how to do it, but we still have to practice it over and over again. It's tedious as hell. But what's a hassle for us is just a piece of cake for you. You have complete equipment here and plenty of manpower."

"Wait, I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to ask our team's agent."

"He'll come as long as I help him repair his chariot?" Qi Yuan was stunned. "Is it that simple? Don't you have any other requirements?"

"No, no. Shangluo and I are close friends. It's no big deal for me to help you drive."

"May I ask, are you practicing the legendary 'Thunder Lang Heavenly Scripture'? The one specifically designed for intense driving?"

"The correct answer is that one."

"Han Xingzhi! Take him to see the car! We've found the second driver!"

Shangluo and Qi Yuan stood side by side at the racetrack, a whole team cheering from the front. The car whizzed around the narrow track at lightning speed, never once braking. Wen Yuan, in the car, maintained top speed the entire time, even the six independent suspensions were truly working. The front wing, rear wing, fans—all whirred non-stop. Shangluo, this was his first time observing from the sidelines; the car's performance was truly incredible.

"Your lap time was a little lower, but not that much. Your first lap was a bit choppy, but by the third it was nearly perfect. He maintained the same level as your second lap—but why do I feel like that car is happier than usual? More than just happy. Like Red Hare meeting Guan Yu."

"So I'm Lu Bu?"

"Well, I can't really say. I don't know if Red Hare was happy working for Lü Bu. But he certainly seemed quite happy here. Is it just my imagination?"

"Perhaps. So, the team's human resources crisis has been resolved now, right?"

"That's right. Xiangrui is indeed different. You solved the problem in one go. We have a second car, and when the race starts later, you can run the first and second halves respectively. After he finishes the first half, you can come in and make the final move. But you don't seem to need practice driving? I see your operation is almost perfect."

Shangluo nodded - he felt that he could not find a more perfect operation than Apollonia.

"Of course I couldn't find it. At first, I had to rely on my senses, but as I ran, I was constantly collecting road data. After one, two, three laps, I found the optimal way to run the track, and every time I did it, it was flawless," Apollonia added.

"Yeah, so I guess I really don't need to practice."

"In that case, do you have anything else to do this afternoon? Now you're the technical director, and you're also Xiangrui. Since you don't have to do trivial work, let's manage the team together. I happen to have a very important task this afternoon: Did you notice there's a throttle push rod in the car? It's useless for now."

"Yeah, I've only seen those on airplanes. What's that for?"

"Whether or not we can use that thing depends on our work this afternoon. As I've said before, Formula One racing tests not only technical prowess but also organizational ability. Building the car is their job, but supplying everything needed for it is my job as your agent. I have a meeting this afternoon where I'll be negotiating with our sponsors on behalf of the team."

"Which one?"

"It's our Jiangning Longjiang team's title sponsor: the Longjiang Shipyard. It's right next door, just across the Qinhuai River. The Director of the Ministry of Works' Water Resources and the Director of the Longjiang Shipyard will personally receive us. After all, we're students, and everyone is happy to welcome them. We're here to solicit sponsorship, and I specifically requested a prototype device: a continuously variable transmission kit—otherwise known as a continuously variable transmission. Paired with the aircraft engine I begged from the Wuhu team, it will maintain peak torque, channeling the 12-cylinder turbocharged engine's surging 1200 horsepower to all six wheels. After three years of preparation, we've finally assembled the most powerful dream car in history. No middle school's car can be better than ours, absolutely not. I know you're participating with a mission, so we absolutely won't lose, absolutely not."

Chapter 94 Shipyard

The Longjiang Shipyard was right next door, within walking distance of the two of them. After registering their departure and return times at the school gate, they were able to leave the school during the afternoon school activities.

"By the way, is there no class in the afternoon?" Crossing the Qinhuai River required a short detour. The two of them walked under the shade of a sycamore tree.

"Afternoons are for electives, self-study classes, and club activities, and everyone's very busy. You have to understand that students in Kinai are already at the top of the world, and we are the best of the best. The curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Rites is the minimum, and we have long exceeded that minimum. Also, as you know, we are all professionals who have been trained for more than ten years, and we are all capable of independently developing our own study plans. Everyone's plans are different, and confining us to the classroom is a waste of everyone's time. We have more important things to do."

"How many people from our school are taking the imperial examination?"

"You have to take the exam to become a scholar, but that's the most basic of the basics. If you don't pass it, you have no human rights."

"Wait, is that so?" Shangluo remembered that Lu Huaiyang had told him before that he must pass the scholar exam.

"You don't know? Perhaps it's because it's so basic that it can become a blind spot for some people. Our country practices the Imperial Examination Republic. As the name suggests, you must pass the imperial examination to participate in the republic and rule the world together with the emperor. If you fail the examination to become a scholar, you are not considered a 'citizen', but only a student. In principle, if you fail the examination to become a scholar, you won't even have a seat at the county court to sue, you can only stand there. On the other hand, if you pass the examination, then, not to mention other benefits, you can receive a monthly allowance of one tael of silver."

"Is there such a thing? Why haven't I seen it before?"

"We didn't give you a single silver coin directly; we converted it into rice, flour, and oil. If we didn't give out money, 1% of the people in the capital were scholars, so where would we get so much silver? Giving out rice, flour, and oil is the most cost-effective. After the Grain Law was enacted in the ninth year of Yongchang, imported grain from overseas was heavily taxed because 'low grain prices hurt farmers.' Grain prices haven't fallen since then. The subsidies the court gives out are to stabilize grain prices. Otherwise, the workers in the city would suffer."

"How do I get it? I seem to remember that there was free food in Yangzhou, but I didn't see anyone taking it home."

"That might be the case. It's different in different places. There's no market in Kinei, but they usually give you a delivery order, and you just fill it out according to the quota. Some deliver it to your door, while others you pick up yourself. The types and items vary by region. In Yujing, it's a thick product catalog, with fruits, vegetables, and daily necessities. Didn't you fill it out in Yujing? I remember when I was a kid, I brought back 200 kilograms of watermelon and got a beating at your house. Did your mother ever beat you for that?"

"I don't know where she is." Shang Luo's memories of the past were hazy. He had tried to ask Lao Shang how he came to be, but Lao Shang never gave a direct answer. Shang Luo felt that he had room in his heart for many friends, but the space reserved for his parents had long been filled by his biological parents. Perhaps this was the ethical dilemma faced by time travelers, and he wasn't particularly interested in Lao Shang's marital issues.

But what had always puzzled him even more was that Old Shang seemed to vaguely know something. There had always been an invisible barrier between them, so much so that, to someone like Lu Huaiyang, it seemed as if they weren't "very close" to each other. This was a very accurate assessment, because, as far as father and son were concerned, they weren't close enough. Their relationship was more like a mentor and a disciple than a father and son.

If we consider the relationship between them as master and apprentice rather than father and son, then Old Shang was truly generous. He taught Shang Luo everything he knew, maintaining a balanced approach to education, strict yet patient. He never physically trained him, but instead devoted almost all of his time to meticulously attending to every detail. This daily training allowed Shang Luo's "qi" (qi sensation) and mastery of bell construction to continuously improve, to the point where he could communicate with Apollonia.

Apart from the lack of a little bit of the true meaning of father-son love, Lao Shang is simply a perfect educator. He treats Shangluo like

"Just like the 'work' I'm most proud of." Shang Luo's eyes suddenly became a little lonely. This had been a knot in his heart for a long time. He always felt that Lao Shang was always so cautious when treating him, as if he was "afraid of breaking something."

But compared to what had happened, he was more focused on what was happening right now. If Qi Yuan hadn't suddenly mentioned it, he wouldn't have thought about it for a long time.

"Are you okay?" Seeing Shangluo's expression change, Qi Yuan realized that he had said something wrong.

"I'm sorry! I mentioned your mother. Is she dead? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Ah, it's nothing, don't worry too much. Oh, by the way, I've always had a question - why do all the rockets and aerospace engines come from the Wuhu team? Why does the Wuhu team have so many good things?"

"Because Luhang's headquarters is in Wuhu. The Wuhu Rockets are sponsored by Luhang, just like Longjiang Shipyard sponsors us, so they have access to a lot of aviation equipment. Each team's tactics and configurations vary greatly, and these differences come from the sponsors. The reason why the Formula One qualifying race in Yujing looks like a battle between gods is because the sponsors here are all gods, and the place is full of gods. This is how the world's capital is."

"I kind of understand why we couldn't win before." After today's visit, he knew the Longjiang team was very strong. But there were still twenty or so other teams as strong as the Longjiang team. On the surface, these students were just enjoying their youth, but the excitement of the competition was also inseparable from the masterful fighting skills behind them.

"So today's task is not difficult. Longjiang Shipyard hopes that we will win. Well, look, there are people waiting ahead."

There was a clerk waiting for them at the shipyard gate, half an hour before the scheduled meeting time.

They drove south from the gate in a small car, following the road surrounding the factory. From time to time, heavy trucks covered in tarpaulins passed by—diesel trucks. The imperial court only burned fossil fuels directly when absolutely necessary. In Yangzhou, true diesel trucks were rarely seen; most burned coal or wood gas.

The commuter car stopped at the Baochuanchang Yamen in the south - the stone drum at the entrance of the yamen had been weathered so much that no lines could be seen, and it seemed to be a relic from the Yongle period.

After getting off the car, the clerk told them to wait at the door for a few minutes.

Shangluo stood there and suddenly felt that the shape of the shadow on the ground was not right. It was not a tree, nor a wall, but an upright mast.

He looked back and saw a crimson wooden warship standing opposite the government office. The warship was in a small dock, the door of which had rusted and had not been opened in many years.

The warship was a Fuzhou-style ship, equipped with 38 naval guns on two decks, even the gun mounts were original versions of the era. Five masts stood tall, and the center mast still hung a blue dragon tooth flag, which was used by the navy to issue orders.

Chapter 2 will be available in a bit. Also, it will be up tomorrow at noon. Tonight is the last update before it goes up, along with some thoughts on the release. I'll be updating more after it goes up.

Chapter 95 Plan

"Oh~~ There's actually something this good here? Is this a model of an old battleship?"

"This isn't a model. This is the Pinghai, a meritorious ship from the age of sailing warships. It served a vital role in the great battles of that time. Back then, the technologically advanced barbarians of Iberia hadn't yet been annihilated, and they were able to organize a fleet capable of rivaling the royal army. However, they only had dual-purpose ships like galleons, while the royal army's warships were true warships. In the Battle of Gibraltar, their last stand was crushed by the Longjiang Navy, whose main battleships were of this type. Isn't it mentioned in the book?"

"Ah, I didn't. It's a history class I didn't take."

"That's okay. Just memorize it before the exam, or you won't be able to write your policy essay. Back then, the Royal Army's warships were all Fuchuan-type warships—not Fuchuan, but Fuchuan battleships, all modified for battleship status. Compared to those clunky galleons, our warships used advanced rigid sails, so only half the sailors were needed to operate the fast five-masted warships. Therefore, the Royal Army's navy could concentrate an entire fleet on a local battlefield to destroy their patrol boats. Using the method of 'lingchi', the Royal Army gradually compressed the technologically barbaric warships back into the Strait of Gibraltar, and then, when the time, place, and people were all right, a decisive battle would be fought."

"So our ship is faster?"

"Yes, and it's still like that. Nothing is invincible except speed. Those technologically advanced barbarians can build ridiculously large ships that resemble wine barrels, armed with over a hundred guns. But even with all their might, they can only build a few of these. The rest of the warships don't even reach the average standard of the Royal Army. So when the Royal Army used their tower ships to engage those hundred-gun ships, the Pinghai, acting as the lead ship in the patrol line, swerved to the side and, with a single salvo, blew up the Holy Trinity's ammunition magazine. The Pinghai was then retired as a meritorious ship and has remained here ever since."

"Just keep it in the water?"

"Well, I heard it can't be taken out anymore. I wanted to move it 30 years ago, but it started to fall apart as soon as I pulled it out of the water, so it has to stay where it is."

"Well said." Applause rang out from behind. "So we engineers have a saying: If it's usable, leave it alone."

"Ah, Chief Wu. Why are you here?"

"I've put everything else aside this afternoon and am here to receive you. Come in and talk."

After entering the inner room, Wu Zhushi arranged chairs for them at a long table in a formal manner, without neglecting them just because they were children.

The clerk who had led the way brought them tea: Coke and a small plate of mung bean cakes.

"I know you don't like tea, so I've served you Coke. So, in there, you don't need to address me by my title, just call me senior. I'm a dozen years older than you, and I graduated from the same school before."

"Oh~~Senior, how much is your salary now?" Qi Yuan asked immediately.

Wu almost choked on his tea. "Your question is spot on, junior sister. It's right to ask, since you might be looking for work. Longjiang Shipyard will be recruiting from various universities. When you do, please state your high school of origin so the recruiters will know. If you're hired successfully, your base salary will be around 12 taels per month, equivalent to an eighth-rank officer's."

"What about the future?" She asked about the development prospects.

"Within ten years, it will slowly increase to between 20 and 30 taels, and then it all depends on luck. If you can pass the assessment for a Level 6 fitter, you can get 40 taels. A Level 8 fitter can earn over 50 taels, but that's already legendary. I remember there were quite a few in the palace. The only Level 8 fitters in the shipyard are two veterans who are about to retire—but at this level, salary isn't really a big deal. The shipyard provides food and lodging, so there's not much money to spend. You could go into politics, but the highest salaries are still in the shipyards. After all, our first-tier manufacturing plants are the wealthiest places, and we get a lot of extra benefits on top of the base salary. Things are pretty bare in the court, and you don't get much."

"So who are you, senior?"

"Ah, actually I have less than 12 taels. Although I'm a supervisor, I'm only sent here by the court to manage the accounts. Although I did well in school during middle school, I didn't study hard in college, so I could only work in the government office to get by. Finally, I was in my 30s and finally became a Jinshi, ranking at the bottom of the third class. After going around in circles, I finally returned to the shipyard. My two younger brothers and sisters, don't follow my example. You must study hard and don't slack off in college. This is the advice I give to you as a senior. Although I won't starve to death, I'm just muddling through, and I'm getting further and further away from a truly great career."

"Yeah, yeah." Qi Yuan nodded repeatedly.

"Well, let's talk about your business. Regarding this sponsorship—let me be clear up front. The shipyard has always sponsored the Longjiang team at its maximum. We're following the Ministry of Industry's regulations and can't give more. So the amount has never been an issue; the question is how to spend it. I've reviewed the report you submitted, Qi Yuan, in advance. I'm wondering how well you understand the 'continuously variable transmission system' you requested?"

"The continuously variable transmission – or CVT – is a supreme mechanical feat. It allows the engine to maintain its optimal operating conditions, at the peak of its torque range. With it, we can eliminate the time it takes to shift gears, allowing the engine to operate at full power from the start, giving us the upper hand in the race."

"Well, your point about the application is correct. However, I need to analyze it from a display perspective: this continuously variable transmission was originally developed by Longjiang Shipyard for amphibious vehicles. Because amphibious vehicles have to cope with complex situations at sea and on land, traditional transmissions would be too bulky and inefficient. Therefore, this continuously variable transmission was developed, which can switch between high speeds at sea and high torque on land at any time. However, it is currently in the experimental stage. It is driven by a complex steel belt, and if you use an overly powerful engine, its service life will be greatly shortened."

"Yes, we've calculated that. We specially borrowed a 12-cylinder aircraft engine from Wuhu. The continuously variable transmission can only be used for four hours under these conditions. After that, it will be scrapped. In other words, if you include the time for testing, each transmission can only run one station."

"It seems you already have a full understanding. So, even if it's only four hours, are you still going to give it a try? The remaining budget is only enough to provide you with five groups."

"That's enough. We have to go all out here."

"Very good." Director Wu nodded. "I trust the judgment of frontline professionals."

"That's all?" This situation was even a little beyond Qi Yuan's expectations. She thought she needed to explain more.

"Okay, go sign." He gestured for Qi Yuan to go with the clerk beside him and go to the accountant to sign.

Shangluo stood up and was about to follow——

"Please stay for a moment. I have something to say."

"So, you are Shangluo, right?" Director Wu sat in his original seat, and this time Shangluo sat opposite him.

"Yes, it's me. What can I do for you?"

"Let me introduce myself." He took out a jade token. "Jinyiwei Beizhen, Wu Jiu. They called me Laojiu who looks after the shipyard."

"What did you just say?"

"It's all true. I wouldn't lie to you, junior. It's all true. I was recruited as a Qigong practitioner, but after a long journey, I finally ended up back at the shipyard I'd always wanted to work for since I was a kid. And my salary is really less than 12 taels. But her request was a bit extreme, so I had to review it before agreeing - of course, I probably wouldn't refuse. But if you weren't here, I wouldn't agree so readily. As for the reason..."

He pointed upwards and said, "I've been ordered to cooperate with you as much as possible. So I'm doing my best to cooperate with you within the rules."

"Ah, thank you."

"No need to thank me. I heard General Bai Feng is inviting you to dinner tonight? Do your best. He will be able to guide you in building your foundation. Our hopes are all on you."

"Yes." Shangluo nodded, "I will."

"Let's talk about something happy and don't put too much pressure on ourselves. Do you know why the Jinyiwei sent someone to Longjiang Shipyard to take charge? Come, I'll show you something good."

Walking to the edge of the French window, he pointed to the original dock:

Surrounded by red scaffolding, a massive warship, as vast as a mountain, stood. While the ship was still under construction, its main guns were already in place. However, the main guns were more than just barrels. Golden patterns intertwined across the barrels, forming a mysterious formation. Atop the bridge, a phoenix spread its wings within a golden halo, its wings and the halo forming two concentric circles.

"Is that a battleship?"

"The super battleship 'Lianshan' is under construction. Those golden lines you see are divine chrome. It's the same armor you saw in the Jinyiwei warehouse. Although I don't know the principle yet, it is a secret weapon that can kill Foundation Establishment Stage Celestial Beings."

"Even the gods can be killed? Why create such a weapon? Could it be..."

"This is Daozu's order. Daozu foresaw the coming rainstorm, and we need to prepare for it. Conventional means can't kill the celestial being, so we'll make a large one and place it on a warship. Only a warship can withstand the huge weight of divine chrome—the patterns you see are actually just thin sheets of gold foil affixed to the barrel. In total, less than a fist's worth of divine chrome was used, but it's almost crushed the support. I don't know why it was built, but Daozu has his reasons. Do you know what I'm thinking?"

He looked at Shangluo and said, "I was wondering, if just this little bit of divine chromium is enough to fight against the celestial beings, then where did that divine chromium armor in the warehouse come from? Who put it in the warehouse, and how did you open it? So, don't worry, your opportunity is great. Tonight, General Baifeng will prepare a training plan for you. Maybe General Baifeng will even learn something from you."

Chapter 96 Remarks on the launch