Chapter 62: Let’s Start Making Weapons, Learning Combat
Chapter 62
The ancients could not understand modern writing, so Gu Sang recited the parts annotated by the instructor.
She would also explain a sentence or two, what that part was used for.
"Heavens! I know this material, my blacksmith's shop has it too! I never thought cannons in the future would be made from this stuff?"
"Didn't you hear what the instructor said? Although the cannons we make in this era can't match those of the future, they can still easily kill people!"
"If used on the battlefield, even iron shields would be blown to pieces by them!"
"As expected of a prosperous age, such weapons are truly astonishing!"
The ancient Confucian scholars exclaimed while writing densely on paper. They knew that if this thing was made, it would absolutely be an earth-shattering deadly weapon!
As for the craftsmen, they had already begun drawing diagrams on paper.
At that moment, their blood was hot, active, and pulsing.
Just thinking about making this thing themselves, they couldn't help their eyes turning red with excitement, almost drawing the lines crooked.
Zhou Qichen only glanced at the blueprints briefly, but he knew this thing had terrifying killing power. However, he was not a professional craftsman and could not understand the manufacturing process.
Soon after, Zhou Qichen's attention was drawn to the combat training in the room.
In his eyes, these moves were all systematic, with each seemingly free and casual move actually following certain rules.
Especially the over-the-shoulder throw, which really caught his eye.
Whew!
That wrist lock was surprisingly similar to the bone-breaking hand technique, but simpler and more practical.
After learning about the weapon's structure from the instructor, Gu Sang intended to leave, but her peripheral vision caught Zhou Qichen staring intently at the combat arena behind her.
Gu Sang's eyes lit up, and she politely asked to learn more: "Instructor, I'd also like to understand some combat techniques. Would they be practical in ancient times?"
The instructor, who had not spoken before, looked at Gu Sang with a proud expression upon hearing this.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, you'll have to ask me about that."
"Combat is more suitable for ambushes. Imagine if you could create a special forces unit in ancient times. Before going to war, they could sneak in secretly..."
This talkative instructor then eagerly chatted with Gu Sang about various cases of special forces ambushing the enemy and winning against greater numbers in ancient times.
Zhou Qichen listened intently, his eyes shining, not wanting to miss a single word as he carefully memorized everything.
As for Zhou Qichen and the soldiers behind the Elder Princess, listening to the instructor describe these battles got their blood boiling.
They couldn't wait to form a special forces unit right then, ambush the enemy, and make their mark in history with victories against greater numbers.
"I feel so fired up now, I'll be the first to sign up if we form a special forces unit!"
"I'll sign up too, I want to leave my name in history."
"Those moves looked casual, but they were so powerful, leaving the enemy no chance to counterattack! I wish I could be that skilled."
"When the time comes, I'll burn down their food supplies and launch night raids."
Hearing the soldiers clamoring with such ideas, Zhou Qichen felt gratified but turned to them sternly: "Special forces are the elite of the elite. First, you need excellent physical conditioning; a few words alone won't let you defeat greater numbers."
"We can't just charge in with hot blood after hearing this. We must take it step-by-step and choose what suits us."
"Ambushes are extremely dangerous. Have you considered the consequences if you can't make it out alive?"
Zhou Qichen's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the soldiers' heads.
In an instant, they sobered up.
Ambushes with fewer forces had a high death rate!
While the modern methods were good, they didn't apply to every ambush. They had to remain clear-headed, calm, and analyze the situation and plan.
They couldn't let their heads swell after learning these things, arrogantly thinking they could win any war easily!
"We'll listen to General Zhou's guidance."
"Yes! Whatever General Zhou tells us to do, we'll do!"
"..."
Not long after the live broadcast ended, the Elder Princess suddenly received a system notification.
After handing over the scene to Zhou Qichen, the Elder Princess returned to her temporary residence.
"Connection opened!"
The visuals showed Gu Sang's background as a dormitory, with a few female voices occasionally discussing scripts audible.
Gu Sang's voice came through the screen clearly.
"Wei Qi, I suddenly closed the broadcast earlier because the instructor told me the manufacturing methods and ratios for some ammunition types. I need to tell you privately."
"The gunpowder ratio can use... plus these raw materials..."
"With these added, even if the gunpowder formula leaks out, they won't understand the ratios and will only end up hurting everyone. The key technology will still be in your hands."
"Additionally, if firearms can't be made yet, you can make simple hand grenades. Just lengthen the fuse, light it, and throw it within two seconds..."
The Elder Princess recorded the various gunpowder ratios Gu Sang mentioned, preparing to research them herself overnight.
Gu Sang was right.
The gunpowder ratios were the most confidential information.
This was something she had to research herself, never leaving it to others.
As for Mohism mentioned in the broadcast, and the "entrepreneurial palace ladies" Gu Sang had brought up before, the Elder Princess had already taken them to heart and sent people to handle it.
After taking care of important matters, the Elder Princess arched her beautiful eyebrows in amusement.
She half-jokingly said to Gu Sang, "Gu Sang, when I was in the capital, I heard that Zhou Qichen had ardently pursued you for a long time."
"He even persuaded the Zhou family to support Pei Changying because of you. Now, he's come to help me because of you too."
"He clearly cares deeply for you. Don't you have any feelings for him at all?"
Zhou Qichen was indeed a good man, but Gu Sang's heart remained unmoved.
She replied to the Elder Princess calmly, but her words were resolute: "After experiencing this trip to ancient times, I've finally understood something."
The Elder Princess: "What is it?"
Gu Sang: "I must possess myself first, gain freedom first, and realize my own value first. To me, love is a very, very small matter!"
"When I was trapped in the cold palace, unable to see the splendor of the world, unable to leave the palace gates, unable to return home, each day vying for favor and a lowly position."
"I even harbored thoughts of ending my own life. I had seen rivers and mountains stretching for thousands of miles, but the life in the harem, where the end was in sight, made living seem worse than death."
"Fortunately, I returned home, but now I'm penniless. My first goal is to earn money."
"Even in our era when we speak of marital freedom, for most without money, marriage means losing oneself for the family. How many true loves are eventually worn down by the grind of making ends meet? I don't consider myself special. I'm just an ordinary person. Getting rich is out of reach for me, and true love without material support is even rarer than getting rich, let alone happening to me..."