Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan were genuinely unaware that Jiang Moxi had actually designed a more compact and flexible small crossbow based on the crossbow in the space. This modified repeating crossbow could even be strapped to the wrist for firing and could shoot five crossbow arrows continuously. Genius was indeed genius. Wang Shijing had also designed large crossbows for siege and defense based on the original crossbow, but compared to the large crossbows, the design of the small crossbow was more complex, not to mention the repeatability.

Wang Shijing naturally couldn’t reveal the true origin of the crossbow. He claimed to have designed it in his free time, but it was still immature. Unexpectedly, Jiang Moxi improved upon it after seeing it. Facing such a statement, Jiang Moxi remained silent, confirming it through his silence. Emperor Yongming immediately asked Wang Shijing to bring the designed crossbow. Since the crossbow was in the space, Wang Shijing claimed he didn’t bring it to the capital and only brought the drawings.

After Emperor Yongming, the Empress, and General Dai examined the drawings Wang Shijing brought, aside from the fact that they were marveling at it, General Dai immediately pleaded with the emperor to mass-produce this type of crossbow. However, at this moment, Jiang Moxi suddenly knelt down. “Your servant has a report.”

Emperor Yongming immediately said, “Rise.” Jiang Moxi stood up and Emperor Yongming said, “Speak.” Jiang Moxi pursed his lips and said, “I’ll write.” 

Jiang Moxi was not articulate in speech, so Emperor Yongming gave him pen and ink to write. Jiang Moxi wrote without hesitation on a full sheet of paper. Emperor Yongming became more and more serious as he read it. After he finished reading, he looked up. “Loyal and Brave Marquis, come and have a look.”

Wang Shijing suppressed his worries and approached, took the paper, and examined it closely. After reading it, Wang Shijing knelt down and said, “The one hundred craftsmen have all been handed over to Young Master Moxi for disposition. I believe Young Master Moxi’s report is very appropriate.”

After letting Wang Shijing rise, Emperor Yongming looked at Shao Yunan. “Yunan, you take a look too.” Shao Yunan took it from Wang Shijing, carefully examined it, and then said, “Your Majesty, I don’t understand these matters, but I think we should be cautious about making crossbows. Once this technology is leaked, it won’t be good for the prosperity of our Great State of Yan. Now, Young Master Moxi has a batch of craftsmen on hand. As long as precautions are taken, it can be used as a military production base.” Emperor Yongming hesitated. “That was a reward to the Loyal and Brave Marquis.”

Shao Yunan immediately said, “Can Your Majesty exchange these one hundred craftsmen for several mountains within the territory of Yongxiu County? There are many ancient tea trees on those mountains. Handing these craftsmen to me and Brother Jing would be a waste.” Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongming immediately said, “Good. Whatever mountains you want, I will reward them to you. As for these one hundred craftsmen…” Emperor Yongming looked at General Dai and General Dai immediately knelt down. “Old minister is willing!”

With none of the craftsmen in Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan’s hands, and with Jiang Moxi being just a child, now that General Dai was in full control, Jiang Moxi could focus all his energy on research and development. After Emperor Yongming made the decision, Jiang Moxi gave Emperor Yongming another big gift. He sat back at the desk where he had just written something, picked up the pen again, and Shao Yunan murmured in his heart, ‘What is this kid up to again?’

After Jiang Moxi finished writing, General Dai directly took it and delivered it to Emperor Yongming. When Emperor Yongming read halfway through it, he stood up abruptly, his face flushed as he glared at Jiang Moxi. Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan both felt a pang in their hearts. What did Moxi write?

Emperor Yongming… “Jiang Moxi! Did you really write this?”

Jiang Moxi nodded. “I, arrange, past.”

Emperor Yongming took a deep breath. He quickly finished reading the remaining part, then handed the document to the Empress. After the Empress read it, his expression also changed dramatically. When General Dai took it from the Empress and finished reading it, the three of them looked at Jiang Moxi as if hungry wolves had seen fresh meat. Their terrifying gaze made Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan not dare to ask what Jiang Moxi had written.

Jiang Moxi knelt down, kowtowed, and then raised his head. “I want, Marquis.” Emperor Yongming slammed his hand down. “I grant it!” Then he said to General Dai, “General, I will give you another one hundred craftsmen. Make sure to develop gunpowder as soon as possible. Before the new year, produce at least a thousand light crossbows, a hundred heavy crossbows, and five siege crossbows.”

“Yes!” General Dai and Jiang Moxi accepted the order.

Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan felt a chill. This kid actually revealed gunpowder to the emperor!! On this side, Emperor Yongming continued. “Establish a private workshop, with Jiang Moxi as the workshop supervisor. Jiang Moxi, I will give you thirty private guards. After you come of age, I will give you a hundred more. These one hundred and thirty people will be under your command and the private workshop will only obey my orders. Before you come of age, General Dai will assist you. Jiang Moxi, do not disappoint my expectations.”

Jiang Moxi kowtowed. “Will, not disappoint.”

“Hahaha!” Emperor Yongming laughed heartily three times, burned the two sheets of paper written by Jiang Moxi, and then looked at Wang Shijing. “Loyal and Brave Marquis, you are summoned.” Wang Shijing knelt down.

“After the new year, I command you and the lord to escort the first batch of crossbows to Tiger Pass, and train the first batch of crossbowmen for me.” Wang Shijing was a little dazed, but still knelt down stably. “I, obey!” Shao Yunan did not speak. He had been asking himself in his mind, ‘Should I spank a certain child when I go back?’

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan did not spank Jiang Moxi, because Jiang Moxi stayed in the palace with Emperor Yongming. The couple returned to  General Dai’s residence with heavy hearts. General Dai also stayed in the palace. After the two returned, the elders didn’t ask much about what happened. The Old General and the Old Lady just told them to rest first. Obviously, they were aware of the Emperor’s reason for summoning them to the palace. After returning, the Old General and Dai Mingge also ordered that no one in the family should speak casually, and anyone who did so would be punished by the family rules.

Back in their room, the couple looked at each other. After a while, Shao Yunan pulled Wang Shijing into the inner room and asked in a low voice, “Shijing, what do you think?” Wang Shijing also lowered his voice and said, “When the enemy comes, we’ll meet them head-on, when water comes, we’ll use soil to block it. Currently, we are still quite safe. Although Moxi was reckless this time, he saved us a lot of trouble. I have indeed thought about how to bring out the crossbows and gunpowder. Just these two things can make the Great State of Yan invincible. Huhar country can forget about coveting the Great State of Yan again.”

Shao Yunan’s face didn’t look good. “We underestimated Moxi’s hatred for the Wu family. Revealing the crossbows and gunpowder is not the main issue, the Great State of Yan’s military strength is not strong and our family’s safety is also hard to guarantee. The emperor has asked you to train a crossbow team and has also entrusted Grandfather with Moxi’s private affairs. From the looks of it, our family is truly the emperor’s confidants. I am now worried about Moxi. He’s still so young, but dares to use a crossbow to kill people! An arrow to the abdomen is certain death, even in my era, it posed a life-threatening risk.”

Wang Shijing embraced Shao Yunan, comforting him. “Moxi is precocious and has had such experiences. I can understand his desire for revenge against the Wu family. Don’t worry too much. Here, even thirteen or fourteen-year-olds can become fathers. Moxi is nine years old and his mind is mature. We can’t raise him like a child.”

Taking a deep breath, Wang Shijing continued, “In Huhar country, even seven or eight-year-old children can kill. Even on the border, when the Huhar invade, children have to wield knives. Not killing means being killed or even worse, being eaten.” Shao Yunan felt heartbroken. “Moxi’s interest is in building large ships for sailing, not serving the emperor. He’s still a child; he should do whatever he likes.”

“But this is not your hometown. Even if we are just an ordinary family, the children need to mature early. He chose this path and all we can do is support him and be his backing.” Shao Yunan took a few deep breaths and nodded firmly. “Since there is no turning back, let’s work hard to be the support for our children!”

“That’s the best way to think about it.”

Outside the door, Su Chenyi’s voice came. “Shijing, Yunan, Kangchen is here.” Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan immediately separated. Shao Yunan rubbed his face and went out with Wang Shijing.

Jiang Kangchen came to deliver the relics. To be fair, the people from Dasi country were indeed wronged. Shao Yunan didn’t have that much money on him, but Yunlong Auction House was co-owned by him. He claimed to have money and no one could say otherwise. Even if Shao Yunan didn’t want it, he wouldn’t let the short people from Dasi country benefit. After the auction, Shao Yunan deducted fifty-eight thousand taels from his earnings to pay the auction house.

Jiang Kangchen was only here to deliver the relics and didn’t ask much. However, with the substantial earnings from the auction, Jiang Kangchen was quite pleased. Unaware that his son was the one who seriously injured the person from Dasi country, Jiang Kangchen wouldn’t be able to smile if he knew. Shao Yunan thought about it but didn’t tell him.

After Jiang Kangchen left, Su Chenyi asked, “Shijing, Yunan, what do you need these for?” Shao Yunan simply replied, “Just accumulating merits, can’t let those from Dasi country benefit. I plan to give them to Brother Tiger and the others to wear. They are divine beasts and wearing these should be suitable for them, with potential benefits too.”

Su Chenyi thought it made sense but reminded, “Now that the relics are in your hands, the people from the Rainforest Temple might not give up. You need to be cautious.”

Shao Yunan said, “I really haven’t thought about it. I won’t give these away. I’ve already told the emperor and the Empress about it.”

Su Chenyi smiled. “If you like them, they are yours. Regardless of the temple. Take a break and come over for a meal later. Keep these relics safe.”

“Alright, we’ll come over with Shijing later.”

After Su Chenyi left, Wang Shijing asked, “Wife, what do you want these for?” He was curious. Shao Yunan finally spoke the truth. “When these came out, the space shook a bit, something that has never happened before. I also had a feeling that told me to take them. It might be something the space needs. Perhaps they are indeed relics of the Buddha. Let’s visit the space.”

“Okay.” With his wife’s explanation, Wang Shijing also had a different perspective on the two relics. Shao Yunan took Wang Shijing directly to the immortal fruit plant when he entered the space. After grabbing the two relics, he considered where to place them. What could be more suitable than pairing them with the immortal fruit? Just as he placed the relics at the roots of the immortal fruit, the space noticeably trembled, and the two relics emitted a dazzling light. Following that, the entire immortal fruit plant was surrounded by a faint white light, which dispelled the dim aura it had after the fruits were picked.

The phenomenon left Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan stunned. Shao Yunan muttered, “It seems that it’s not the space that wants the relics, but the immortal fruit. I feel more and more like we are in a cultivation world, it’s so mysterious.” Wang Shijing added, “Let’s go outside first; it’s not safe here.” After glancing at the still-glowing immortal fruit, Shao Yunan exited the space with Wang Shijing.

General Dai and Jiang Moxi only returned when it was almost dark. Wang Qing was worried about Moxi’s use of the crossbow, while Nizi, because she covered her eyes and avoided the bloody scene when Moxi shot the crossbow, didn’t have any special feelings. She just thought her big brother was very powerful. Moxi, in her eyes, was an absolute idol.

Upon his return, Moxi didn’t go to rest, but instead went to see Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan. The moment he saw the two, Moxi immediately knelt down, looking like he was ready to accept punishment. Seeing him like this, Shao Yunan couldn’t bear to scold him. However, he didn’t let Moxi stand up, but asked, “Do you think what you did today was right?” Jiang Moxi shook his head.

“Uncle Yunan doesn’t blame you for revealing the crossbow and gunpowder to the emperor. You always have your own ideas and I believe you know what you’re doing. But, Moxi, your actions today made Uncle Yunan worry that you might turn into a ruthless and cold-blooded person. Have you ever thought about whether Nizi will be scared of you in the future? Or have you considered if we will worry about you? Have you thought about Nizi’s feelings if killing becomes normal for you? Or is revenge more important than anything else for you?” Moxi lifted his head abruptly. “Nizi is important!”

“When you decisively pulled the crossbow string, did you think about Nizi? Did you think about whether we would worry? Did you think about us?” Moxi clenched his jaw. Shao Yunan forced himself to put on a cold expression. “Not only do you hate those people from the Wu family, but Uncle Shijing and Uncle Yunan also hate them. Even the emperor and Empress wish to send them to the depths of hell forever. You need to understand, it won’t only be you causing trouble for the Wu family. You should also realize that you are only nine years old, not nineteen, not twenty-nine. You are not yet an adult! Uncle An doesn’t want to see you become the person I mentioned earlier. Killing is not as fun as you think!”

Moxi lowered his head. “I… was wrong.” Shao Yunan squatted down and softened his tone. “Moxi, Uncle Yunan is waiting for you to build a big ship to take our whole family on a journey around the world.” Jiang Moxi’s eyes reddened and he nodded heavily. Shao Yunan knelt down and embraced him. “Making others fear you is not enough, it’s enough to be determined not to kill. That kind of fear isn’t real fear, Moxi. Don’t forget, you still have Uncle Yunan and Uncle Shijing.”

Jiang Moxi cried softly, reached out, and hugged his other ‘Little Dad’ tightly. Wang Shijing also squatted down and stroked Jiang Moxi’s head. He believed that his son would not stray off the right path. The Empress did not disclose the matter with Jiang Moxi to Jiang Kangchen. Under the strict orders of General Dai, everyone present from the Dai family chose to remain silent. Even if someone inquired later, they couldn’t find out who did it, especially with such a fast weapon.

After staying at home for two days, Wang Shijing had to leave again, but waited for Murong Yi to arrive. However, after waiting for a while, Murong Yi still hadn’t come. Wang Shijing had to send someone to the King’s Mansion to inquire. At this time, Prince Murong was sitting in the main hall of the King Mansion with a gloomy expression and King Luo Rong’s face didn’t look very good either. In the main hall, a nun sat in the seat next to King Luo Rong’s right hand, with two little nuns standing behind her.

 

Edited by: Jaisland

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