Chapter 44 I'm inventing? No, it's the system that's forcing me to become the King of Scrolls!
Faced with reports of natural and man-made disasters pouring in from all directions, Yun Zhan felt like a delivery guy who had received eight urgent orders for help at the same time, and his electric scooter had run out of power.
"The Yellow River has breached its banks! Japanese pirates are invading the border! The northern frontier is in dire straits! Locust plague! Epidemic! Earthquake!" Yun Zhan slammed a stack of urgent reports onto his desk and roared at the empty hall, "God! Are you playing a joke on me?!"
[According to data analysis, the host's current comprehensive disaster index has exceeded the average level of this plane by 300%. This meets the core characteristics of a 'plane's abandoned pawn'.] System Xiaoqi spoke the most heartbreaking words in the calmest electronic voice.
"Abandon my foot!" Yun Zhan jumped up and down in anger. "The national treasury is so empty that horses could run through it, the borders are starving, disaster victims are dying everywhere, and Japanese pirates and barbarians are still banging on the door... System! Quickly think of a solution! If this continues, even without Yan Linye's help, I myself will be crushed by these messes!"
Based on the current situation analysis, the core contradictions lie in two areas: financial scarcity and military weakness. The system calmly provides its diagnosis, suggesting that the host prioritize addressing the economic and weapons issues.
"Economy and weapons?" Yun Zhan's eyes lit up as if he had grasped a lifeline. He instantly remembered those short videos he had watched before his transmigration, such as "Understanding ancient black technology in one minute" and "What if Qin Shi Huang had an AK?"
"That's it! Weapons!" He slapped his thigh and jumped up excitedly. "System! Quick! Exchange for the blueprints for an AK47! If that's not enough, grenades and mortars will do! I want those Japanese pirates and barbarians to taste the iron fist of socialism... no, I mean the wrath of the emperor!"
[...] The system remained silent for three seconds, its electronic voice filled with disbelief. [Host, please cease your unrealistic fantasies. With the current metallurgical technology, chemical industry, and processing precision of this dynasty, even with complete blueprints, the success rate of manufacturing modern firearms is less than 0.0001%. You will most likely only obtain a pile of expensive scrap metal.]
Yun Zhan felt as if he had been doused with ice water, and instantly wilted: "Ah? No way... What should we do then? We can't really send the soldiers to fight to the death with fire pokers, can we?" He slumped back onto the dragon throne in frustration, "Am I really just supposed to lie here and wait to die, to be turned into a wine cup?"
[Modern firearms are inadequate, but the system can provide blueprints for high-efficiency cold weapons and protective equipment that surpass the capabilities of our time. Examples include: forging methods for patterned steel, designs for composite crossbows, and improved lightweight lamellar armor. With current production capacity and effort, these technologies are achievable to some extent.] The system offers more practical solutions.
Yun Zhan's eyes lit up instantly!
Melee weapons are fine too! Technological dominance starts with choosing the wrong skill tree!
"Exchange! We must exchange! Quickly exchange for those blueprints for the Hundred Refined Steel and the Composite Crossbow!" Yun Zhan couldn't wait, as if he could see the border soldiers wielding divine weapons and slaughtering everyone in their path.
[To redeem the 'Basic Cold Weapon Optimization Blueprint Pack', 1500 points are required. Host's current points: -2050. Confirm additional loan?]
Yun Zhan stared at the ever-growing negative points, his heart bleeding. But thinking of the soldiers on the border and the menacing enemy, he gritted his teeth and said, "I'll take out a loan! I'll take out a loan! More debt is no burden! When my country is prosperous and strong, I will definitely repay you with interest!"
[Loan successful. Blueprint package issued. Host's current points: -3550. Please strive to survive in order to repay the debt.] Even the system seemed to have given up hope on his repayment ability.
Upon receiving the blueprints, Yun Zhan immediately summoned his trusted confidants from the Ministry of Works and distributed them.
"Minister Zhang, Minister Li, look! This is the secret forging method for 'Hundred-Refined Patterned Steel,' and this is the improved blueprint for the 'Divine Arm Crossbow'!" Yun Zhan pointed at the blueprints, spittle flying from his mouth. "You must gather the best craftsmen, conduct secret research, and produce prototypes as soon as possible! This is a 'national strategic project' that concerns the fate of the nation! If you do it well, I will reward you handsomely!"
The two Ministry of Works officials stared wide-eyed at the exquisite design on the blueprints, their voices trembling with excitement: "Your Majesty... this... this is simply a masterpiece! We will certainly do our utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"
"Good! That's the spirit I'm looking for!" Yun Zhan nodded in satisfaction, then lowered his voice, "Remember, keep it a secret! Absolutely a secret! If I find out that anyone has leaked the news..." He made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes "fierce".
"We understand! We understand!" The two officials trembled with fright and quickly assured each other.
With the weapons secured, the next headache is the economic issue. Warfare and disaster relief—both require money.
Yun Zhan stared at the empty national treasury ledgers, so worried that he pulled out his hair.
"System, is there any way to make money quickly? Like turning stone into gold?" Yun Zhan started to daydream.
This system does not provide skills that violate basic physical and chemical laws. It is recommended that the host focus on improving productivity and developing new products.
New product? Yun Zhan stroked his chin, his mind racing. As a modern person, having witnessed the dazzling array of consumer goods, coming up with some "innovation" shouldn't be too difficult, right?
He acted immediately! He transformed into an "inventor" once again, but this time his target customers were... wealthy nobles and businessmen.
Based on his vague memory and assumptions, he came up with several "novel gadgets".
His first target was women's wallets. He summoned the head of the inner court in charge of the artisans.
"Steward Wang, I ask you, are the bronze mirrors used in the palace able to reflect people clearly?"
Steward Wang was taken aback, then honestly replied, "Your Majesty, no matter how brightly a bronze mirror is polished, it will inevitably have some blurriness..."
"Blurry is just right!" Yun Zhan clapped his hands. "I have a formula here. Find some reliable craftsmen, experiment according to the formula, and make sure to create for me a 'glass mirror' that is as clear as seeing a real person and as bright as a mirror!"
After countless expensive experiments, when the first palm-sized, smooth glass mirror, capable of reflecting even the pores on a person's face, was presented, Steward Wang and Eunuch Gao were both stunned!
"Your Majesty! This is a celestial treasure!" Eunuch Gao's hands trembled as he held the mirror.
Yun Zhan winked smugly at himself in the mirror: "Hmm, not bad, I'm still as handsome as ever. Issue the order to establish a 'Glass Workshop' to produce this mirror. As for the price..." He revealed a shrewd businessman's smile, "It must be worthy of its 'celestial aura'! One small mirror, priced at one hundred gold pieces! Exclusively for... uh, for those noble people with a destined connection!"
Next came salt and sugar. He summoned the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Minister Li, I tasted this official salt and found it unbearably bitter. I imagine the salt that the common people eat every day is even worse. I cannot bear it.”
Li Sinong looked helpless: "Your Majesty, the salt and iron industries are state monopolies, and this has always been the case. Refining them is not easy..."
"Not easy?" Yun Zhan raised an eyebrow. "I have a few simple methods here. Find someone to try them out and see if they can produce high-quality fine salt that is white, pure in taste, and without bitterness. Remember, this salt is related to people's livelihood. Once the production volume increases, the price must be affordable so that ordinary people can also afford good salt!"
He added, "And sugar, I also want it to be snow-white and crystal clear, sweet but not cloying. Well... it can be like a mirror, going for a high-end look."
When the samples of "frost salt" and "white sugar" that were snow-white, delicate, and free of impurities were made, Li Sinong was so excited that tears streamed down his face: "Your Majesty is truly a divine being! The people are blessed!"
In addition, Yun Zhan also created soaps with various floral scents and simple tooth powders, which were immediately sought after by the aristocratic class, especially the women!
These small inventions, bearing obvious "modern" characteristics, were like pebbles thrown into a still lake, quickly causing ripples in the capital and beyond. Nobles considered owning these novelties fashionable and generously spent their money.
Mirrors sold for exorbitant prices! Sugar and soap were in short supply!
The relatively affordable purified salt truly benefited ordinary people, and every household finally had access to clean salt without any strange taste, further deepening their gratitude to the emperor.
Yun Zhan watched as his personal treasury filled up at a visible speed. Although it was still far from filling the huge hole that was the national treasury, it had at least solved his immediate problem and enabled him to allocate money and grain for disaster relief and support the border.
[Popularity Index +15. Host, your 'unorthodox methods'... uh, business innovations, are showing initial results.] The system unusually gave a positive assessment.
Yun Zhan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if the heavy debt he was carrying had lightened a little.
"System, see this? This is called knowledge is power! No, it's knowledge is points! Uh, that doesn't seem right either..." Yun Zhan scratched his head.
[Knowledge is a negative score. Host, you are currently in debt of 3550 points.] The system ruthlessly reminded you.
Yun Zhan: "...Shut up!"
However, the news of his vigorous efforts to improve people's livelihoods and strengthen the country inevitably spread and reached distant places.
...
Hejian Prefecture, the villa of the Prince of Yan.
The atmosphere remained so gloomy it was almost palpable.
Yan Linye remained half-dead, spending his days with wine jars and showing no interest in anything. Preparations for the uprising came to a complete standstill, leaving Chen Feng and other generals anxious and helpless.
"Your Highness! You can't drink anymore!" Chen Feng couldn't help but step forward to stop him as he was about to pick up the wine jug again. "The brothers are all waiting for you! This world..."
"The world?" Yan Linye shoved him away violently with astonishing strength, his eyes bloodshot as he roared, his voice hoarse and broken, "Without him... what use is this world to me?! Get out! Don't bother me unless you hear from him!"
Chen Feng was terrified by the madness and despair in his eyes and dared not say another word.
Looking at Yan Linye, who was growing thinner and had a vacant look in his eyes, Liu Yingying was filled with anxiety. If this continued, forget about conquering the world, even the prince's health would collapse.
That day, she accidentally bought two novel items from a merchant from the capital: a small mirror with astonishing clarity and a packet of snow-white, delicate "frost salt".
The mirror reflected every detail of a person, and the salt was so pure that it contained not a single impurity.
Holding the two items, Liu Yingying felt increasingly uneasy. This ingenious approach, this pursuit of ultimate purity and practicality… how could it be so similar to one person?
That quirky and clever young master Yun Zhan, who always comes up with some strange and unusual ideas and objects!
A thought suddenly occurred to her, and a bold guess came to mind.
Could it be... that Young Master Yun Zhan went to the capital? And that these things are related to him?
She immediately took a mirror and salt and went to Yan Linye's study.
The study reeked of alcohol. Yan Linye leaned against the window, still clutching the jade pendant in his hand, staring blankly out the window, showing no reaction to Liu Yingying's arrival.
"Your Highness," Liu Yingying called softly.
Yan Linye remained motionless, as if his soul had already departed with that person.
Liu Yingying stepped forward and placed the mirror and salt in her hands on the table in front of him. Her voice was clear and slow: "Your Highness, please take a look at this. It is a novel item from the capital."
Yan Linye's gaze casually swept across the table, but when it landed on the crystal-clear mirror, his pupils suddenly contracted! This mirror... was no ordinary object! Its craftsmanship far surpassed the current level!
His gaze fell again on the bag of snow-white salt. Such purity… such texture…
A familiar figure, with a sly smile, seemed to reappear before him. That person had once produced strangely flavored "seasonings," drawn intricately structured "plows," and always spouted novel ideas...
A powerful premonition, almost enough to stop his heart, seized him!
He abruptly raised his head, his scarlet eyes fixed on Liu Yingying. A terrifying light erupted from his previously lifeless gaze, and his voice was hoarse and rapid, trembling with disbelief:
"Where did these things come from?"
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