After nightfall, the chess and card room in Baishi Building is brightly lit - Wu Lai is indeed named so because there are both chess and cards here.
Chess is a revised version of Monopoly, with the new name "Levels". It is also a game for 2 to 8 people, and is also based on management rights. However, players no longer obtain the greatest benefits by purchasing management rights and purchasing respected star services. Instead, they purchase lots to set up paid levels, and also compete to be the last survivor. Although there are fewer types of cards than Monopoly, it is simple and easy to understand and easy to play. You build and I demolish, and I build and you demolish. It is fun and durable, but the players who can play it now are temporarily limited to a limited number of people in Baishi Building.
The cards are naturally playing cards. After the new way of playing was introduced, it is no longer just Stud, Texas Hold'em and Landlord that are popular in the Assyrian territory. Golden Flower and Double Knockout have also become games that the nobles are keen on.
"Levels" is still being printed in a rush. Wu Lai said that when he returns to Assyria in half a month, he will take away 20,000 sets of "Levels". In view of the "complex design" and "complicated production process" of "Levels", Wu Lai set the price of six gold coins per set. According to past experience, this price will be popular.
The chess and card room is quite lively now——
Helen and Tina were playing the "Level" game, and Gauguin was pulled over to join in. Madame Leah didn't want to stay bored in the room, so she stayed with the three of them and watched with great interest. Behind the four of them, two maids were waiting, ready to serve them tea and water.
Lini, Wu Lai and Siban Oak sat around the main table in the hall playing poker, each with several stacks of silver coins as chips, but no one played too seriously and no one wanted anyone to serve them.
Sibanok was just there for company, while Rini and Woolley were more like chatting.
"I've thought about it, if you can control the magnification of the telescope as you said, I agree that you can sell it as a commodity. But before you officially sell it, I have to consult with the Senate and the Council of Nobles. After all, this thing has high military use. If it falls into the hands of the Hurrians or other enemies, it will not be a good thing. Instead of letting the Senate and the Council of Nobles ban the sale later, it is better to inform them in advance. It's okay if it can be sold to the public. I will help you distribute some of it to the legions and city-states. Anyway, you said it yourself, they can't imitate it." Lini said.
"What the teacher said makes sense. With you paving the way ahead, what do I have to worry about? Besides, telescopes are extremely difficult to manufacture, and the production volume will definitely not be increased. Let me put it this way, I can't even produce 200 6x telescopes now, let alone 10x ones." Wu Lai nodded and said.
He casually asked for a card and threw out five silver coins. Lini nodded and said, "Just raise the price a bit. You are an expert in this. You can keep all the 10 times the amount and sell it to the legion. It will all go through my hands. I will make a booklet so that I can know who bought it. If it falls into the hands of the enemy, the Senate can also track it down."
"Follow." Wu Lai threw out five silver coins. "People in the community do the same thing. The Senate will probably feel more assured. In addition to making a list, I will also engrave the buyer's name and family emblem on the lens barrel."
Xibanok couldn't and didn't want to interrupt, so he just followed silently and paid five silver coins.
"I won't get involved in the bicycle matter. I'm your teacher. If too much news about my cooperation with you gets out, it will affect my reputation, so don't count me in." Lini looked at the cards and put out ten silver coins.
"Follow." Wu Lai agreed without saying anything.
"I don't want it." Sibanok smiled and put the cards away...
Two days later, Eugene came to visit as scheduled and sat with Rini for half a day, accompanied by Wu Lai. When Eugene left, Anthony came and sat with him for half a day again, accompanied by Wu Lai. That night, Rini held a banquet in Baishi Building and invited Eugene and Anthony at the same time. Dayi, Ivan, Aesop and Doji became the guests. It was considered that the previous grievances among everyone were resolved. Although it was not a happy ending, at least on the surface, they achieved peaceful coexistence.
The next morning, Wu Lai gathered all members of the Tongji Alliance to the backyard of Baishi Building. After everyone was present, he pushed out a brand new bicycle.
As soon as the bicycle was unveiled, it caused everyone's admiration, and Mrs. Leah, who was sitting in the crowd to join in the fun, was very satisfied. After Wu Lai demonstrated it himself, the whole audience reached a climax, and all members became excited almost at the same time - everyone could see that Wu Lai was going to make everyone rich.
"Everyone, I believe you have already realized that this thing is actually a means of transportation. Its appearance will greatly change the way citizens travel. Think about it, which is safer, driving a horse that may occasionally get frightened and kick, or riding a bicycle that you can completely control?" Wu Lai asked with a smile.
"Of course it's a bicycle!" a member responded loudly.
"That's a correct answer. It's a good answer. From our point of view, even if it is not as good as a horse, we have to tell people that it is worse than a horse." After Wu Lai said this, there was a burst of laughter at the scene.
"I believe that the appearance of bicycles will definitely set off a trend, thanks to the extensive horse trails in the Assyrian territory. With this bicycle, we can even ride it to other city-states. Of course, this is just a hypothesis, unless the problem of bandits and thieves can be completely solved in the territory. But there is no problem in enjoying the fun it brings in the city-state and the suburbs."
Woolley took the wrench handed to him by Neptune and disassembled the bicycle into a pile of parts in a short while in front of everyone, leaving everyone stunned.
"It's amazing..." one member exclaimed.
"Did anyone see anything?" asked Woolley.
Everyone shook their heads, feeling a little confused.
"Let me introduce it. A bicycle can be divided into four major parts: the body, transmission, motion, and safety devices. The body includes the frame, front fork, handlebars, saddle, and front fork assembly. The transmission includes pedals, cranks, sprockets, chains, middle axles, and flywheels. The motion includes front and rear wheels, including front and rear axle components, spokes, rims, and tires. The mounting devices include brakes, bells, and reflective devices..."
Wu Lai held up the parts one by one and introduced them one by one, then said: "Among all the parts of a bicycle, only the craftsmen workshop in Baishilou have fully met the standard of craftsmanship for the sprocket, chain, bottom bracket, flywheel and shock spring. Therefore, these five items are mine." Wu Lai was not exaggerating. These five items required the use of high-strength alloys, forging and metal cutting technology, which other members could not achieve.
After scanning the crowd with a smile, Wu Lai said what everyone had been waiting for: "For the remaining parts, the process requirements are slightly lower than the previous five items, so I decided to provide drawings and technical guidance, and everyone can produce according to unified specifications and quantities. There is one thing I must explain in particular. In order to protect the vital interests of all participants, you must sign a confidentiality agreement and make a commitment to promise that you will produce parts according to a unified arrangement. Now, do you have any questions?"
"President, I would like to ask, how much does a bicycle cost?" A member stood up with a smile.
"I'm pricing it at 188 gold coins," Wu Lai replied with a smile, "because I have to guarantee that your production profit will be at least double that."
"President, tell me, how should we divide it among us?" This member was obviously impatient.
"How to divide it is up to you guys to discuss it." Wu Lai took out a neatly folded stack of papers from his arms with a smile, "These are the requirements for the production of each part. Take a look at them first and choose according to your existing abilities. Of course, you can also work together. Once you have read and discussed it, let me know. Now, I have to go to the kitchen in person to arrange a different lunch for everyone, so, excuse me."
Wu Lai handed the stack of papers to Neptune, and just after he turned around and walked a few steps, Neptune was surrounded by the members...
Mrs. Leah, who had no part in the event, caught up with Wu Lai anxiously and annoyed. She couldn't understand why Wu Lai wanted to share this great benefit with everyone.
"Wu Lai, this is a huge sum of money. Bai Shilou is fully capable of earning it on its own." Mrs. Leah said in a low voice.
"Thank you for your reminder, my respected stepmother." Wu Lai glanced at her calmly, "But I think you have forgotten what I said to you. If your memory still cannot be restored, I don't mind letting you live back in the manor. I promise."
Lady Leah quickly shut her mouth.
After staying for another two days, Lini set out to return to Assyria. On the eve of his departure, he and Woolley stayed alone in the living room for a long time and talked a lot.
…
"Wu Lai, your private army of young people will surely become a brave and extraordinary force in time. Very good. I can't imagine how you have such rich military experience. The training materials you compiled are simply a stroke of genius." Lini praised sincerely. In the morning, he went to Daishan accompanied by Wu Lai. After watching the weapons, equipment, daily training and fighting performances of the Daishan team, he was shocked.
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"I can only say that this is a gift from God," Wu Lai replied with a smile. He could not and did not want to explain his origins to Lini because that would be as incredible as the existence of God.
"I won't force you about the crossbow. If you don't want to equip the legion with it, then forget it. In fact, although I am an Assyrian general, I am very tired of war most of the time. I have experienced too much bloodshed and killing, and witnessed the deaths of too many people, citizens, civilians, soldiers, slaves, women and children..." Lini sighed heavily, "I really don't want to see it again. However, if the Assyrian territory is invaded by the enemy one day in the future, I hope you can stand up and let your crossbows play their due role."
"I can guarantee that." Wu Lai nodded.
"Wulai, you are a genius. Your wisdom has far exceeded my cognition. However, I sincerely hope that you can make good use of the opportunity to study at the Citizen Academy." Lini patted Wu Lai's hand like a kind elder. "What you can do for the Assyrian territory is not just to create some novel things. Your value should not only be demonstrated by the ever-increasing wealth. Wu Lai, you should become a person looked up to by the whole of Assyria and even the whole continent."
"Teacher, I have noted your expectations of me, and I will try my best to do it." Wu Lai's promise was also sincere. In Wu Lai's mind, Lini in front of him was not the famous Assyrian general, nor the old-fashioned and strict vice-president, but a kind and compassionate teacher.
…
When Rini left, many people came to see him off, including all the leading figures of the Seneca city-state and most of the nobles. Rini accepted everyone's greetings and farewells with a smile, and then got on the carriage.
"Teacher, Helen and I will come back as soon as possible." Wu Lai and Helen stood hand in hand by the car window, tears in their eyes.
"Okay, just don't miss the start of school." Lini smiled and said, "You two have to be good, especially Helen. I have to remind you that Tina is eyeing us Wu Lai covetously."
Helen blushed immediately, but Wu Lai laughed out loud: "Teacher, don't bother with these things."
"How can I not worry about it?" Lini said with a serious face, "Although I am already old, I still want to see how amazing the child born from the most talented Ulegrindo of Assyria and the extremely intelligent Helen will be."
"Vice President Lini." Helen pouted shyly.
Lini laughed and said to Wu Lai in a serious tone: "I am optimistic about Helen. She will be a good helper for you. So, don't worry about those problems. You are not short of money anyway."
"Of course." Wu Lai nodded, took out the tiger tooth nameplate and handed it over, "Teacher, I'll give this back to you."
"I'll give it to you." Lini smiled. "The tiger tooth nameplate is just a past honor for me. In your hands, it may help you protect yourself from the wind and rain."
"Thank you, teacher." Wu Lai nodded gratefully. Holding the tiger tooth nameplate was like having an extra amulet. At least no one in the legion dared to disrespect him.
"Don't act like children to me. You two should go back. It's time to ride your bikes, play "Levels" or do something else. Don't waste time. Let's go." After saying this, Lini laughed and stretched his hand out of the window and waved it vigorously. The carriage moved immediately and slowly drove out of the city.
At Dayi's command, thousands of soldiers on the city walls and outside the city lined up to see him off immediately shouted in unison: "Third Legion! Seneca Garrison! Farewell General Ashu! Vice President of the Civic Academy! Mr. Lini!"
The sound resounded through the sky, and Helen couldn't help but hold Wu Lai's arm.
"This is the honor of a teacher. I will also have it in the future," Wu Lai said with emotion.
"I firmly believe that." Helen nodded.