Chapter 151: Return to Civilian Life, Mount Shu?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
‘There were many mountains in Great Xia. Around Chang’an, there were also scattered mountain ranges.
The place Yin Wuyou pointed out to Zhou Shu was a small mountain 30 kilometers north of Chang’an.
This small mountain was only two hundred meters tall, but it occupied a large area. With the small mountain as the center, everything within 1.5 kilometers was his territory.
Zhou Shu did a quick calculation in his heart. With his shallow calculation ability, he was unable to calculate how many acres of land it was.
!!
“The place isn’t big. It’s only about fifteen hundred acres,” Yin Wuyou said lightly, resolving Zhou Shu’s doubts.
How big was 1,500 acres of land? In Zhou Shu’s previous life, there were two top universities in China. One of them occupied 1,000 acres of land, while the other occupied more than 800 acres of land. The two of them added up to over 1,500 acres.
This was countless times bigger than the oth Workshop!
According to Yin Wuyou, such a large place was just so-so. But to Zhou Shu, possessing such a large territory was simply unimaginable.
Could one imagine owning Tsinghua Garden and Weiming Lake?
“Such a big piece of land is mine?” Zhou Shu gulped.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen the world before. He was considered someone with status now. But some habits from his previous life were still deeply ingrained in him. As Chinese, he had an inexplicable attachment to owning land.
“That’s a way to see it.” Yin Wuyou nodded.
The Huaxia Pavilion belonged to Zhou Shu. As long as he was alive, this piece of land would be his.
Huaxia, does it represent a prosperous Great Xia‘? Yin Wuyou pondered.
If Yin Wuyou wasn’t here, Zhou Shu would probably be laughing like a pig squealing right now.
It was such a huge territory. He could build it however he wanted without paying for it. Wasn’t this like money falling from the sky?
Grand Minister, don’t worry. I will definitely forge the weapon I’m giving you well. I’ll definitely make you the most outstanding heroine!
Otherwise, it would be a waste of the territory you asked for to give me!
Yin Wuyou pondered for a moment before saying, “The surrounding land was all given to me by His Majesty. If you think it’s not enough, I can give you my land. I don’t have any other uses anyway.”
“The surrounding land belongs to you, Grand Minister? Does this mean that we are fated to be neighbors again?” Zhou Shu said subconsciously.
Yin Wuyou blushed. Is this fate?
Yes, it is indeed fate!
Yin Wuyou wanted to flee from the scene but suddenly said, “Oh yes, I almost forgot. One more thing.”
“There’s more?” Zhou Shu said in surprise. Isn’t this surprise too much?
He wouldn’t be able to digest it anytime soon.
“There are no more rewards.” Yin Wuyou shook her head. “It’s something else.
“Do you still remember that His Majesty issued a decree for you to partic.i.p.ate in the Great Xia’s military parade as a Forging Apprentice?”
“Lremember. I’m a Forging Master now. Do I not need to partic.i.p.ate?” Zhou Shu said.
He was not very interested in partic.i.p.ating in these activities. After all, he didn’t care about the rewards given by Great Xia.
‘Was he, Marquis Zhou, someone who lacked those things now?
What is the point of competing?
I’m not targeting.
“Of course not. You have to partic.i.p.ate. Not only do you have to partic.i.p.ate, but you have to win!” Yin Wuyou said seriously.
“Why?” Zhou Shu said helplessly. He really didn’t want to be involved in this. His goal was to stay in the Forging Division and happily forge weapons while harvesting the benefits from the Legendary Armament Canon.
“There’s no reason! I’m the grand minister. I have the final say!” Yin Wuyou returned to being the swift and decisive Grand Minister and spoke resolutely.
This sudden change made her look exceptionally charming.
Zhou Shu was momentarily stunned.
Under Zhou Shu’s gaze, Yin Wuyou’s unyielding att.i.tude lasted less than three seconds before breaking.
She fled with Haitang, walking and shouting, “Don’t think you don’t have to listen to me just because you’re a marquis. The Huaxia Pavilion is under the Forging Division. I’m the grand minister. You have to listen to me. You must win the parade!”
Yin Wuyou had already disappeared, and her voice was still coming from afar.
Her voice was full of energy, and it seemed like her injuries were almost completely healed. Her recovery ability was indeed stronger than a sixth-rank martial artist. Sun Gongping had yet to wake up.
Yin Wuyou ran back to the princess’s residence, her pretty face still a little hot.
“Oh no, I forgot to tell him what to take note of during the military parade!” Yin Wuyou suddenly exclaimed.
Haitang rolled her eyes inwardly. Her Highness used to be such a smart person, but why does she seem so stupid now? Have her injuries not recovered yet?
Ihave never heard of internal injuries affecting the mind.
“Haitang, organize the information on the military parade later and send it to him,” Yin Wuyou instructed.
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll deliver it later,” Haitang agreed crisply.
Great Xia’s southern border.
Ina military camp, Great General Meng Bai was fully armored and sitting behind a desk.
Not far from him, Mi Ziwen was also fully armored.
“Teacher, do you really have to do this?” Mi Ziwen asked in a low voice. “You’re not in the capital, so what does it have to do with you if there are one or two sc.u.mbags in the general’s residence? Besides, His Majesty has no intention of blaming you, so what’s the point?”
He looked a little anxious and worried.
“That’s not the only reason.” Meng Bai shook his head. “After this battle, within ten years, the southern barbarians should no longer have the power to invade the south. If there’s another war, you will be capable of taking the lead.
“All these years, my health has been deteriorating year after year. I have long planned to retire. This time, I can use this opportunity to resign.
“Lalso wish to live a few years of carefree life as a countryside man.”
Meng Bai had a carefree expression.
He was similar in age to Emperor Yuan Feng, but Emperor Yuan Feng looked like a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties. As for him, his hair was already white.
‘Meng Bai was once a Martial Dao genius. At a young age, he was already a second-rank Martial Dao powerhouse. But ten years ago, he had suffered a serious injury and lost all of his cultivation.
“Teacher—” Mi Ziwen lamented.
He knew that his teacher’s injuries had yet to recover, and he had lost his cultivation. His teacher had reached the twilight of his life.
“There’s no need to feel sad. I have no regrets in my life.” Meng Bai said with a smile. At his level, being able to still have the chance to return to his hometown was already a great fortune in life.
From ancient times until now, many rulers and ministers only ended up with miserable endings.
At the very least, his relationship with Emperor Yuan Feng would end amicably.
It was time for him to do one last thing for the emperor. If he didn’t give up his military power, even if the emperor didn’t care, the court ministers wouldn’t be at ease either.
“It’s a pity that this newly promoted You Marquis rejected being my disciple.” Meng Bai shook his head with a bitter smile. “Otherwise, in my last few years, teaching a talent is also a joyous matter.”
Tears welled up in Mi Ziwen’s eyes. Even at this point in time, his teacher was still thinking about his junior brother.
But it seems like Junior Brother is still blaming Teacher. Is he blaming Teacher for not acknowledging him?
He didn’t know that with his teacher’s standing, if he really had a descendant, how could the emperor trust him so much?
Although the emperor was benevolent, the imperial family was heartless.
Mi Ziwen sighed. His teacher was his benefactor. How should he help his teacher?
“Teacher, what are your plans after taking off your armor?” Mi Ziwen said.
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Meng Bai said with a smile. “I am not at the point where I can’t take care of myself.”
“Teacher, that’s not what I meant,” Mi Ziwen hurriedly said. “I only heard that Second Brother has already advanced to Forging Master. Furthermore, he has received the favor of His Majesty and can set up a named workshop. Since Teacher intends to nurture him, why not give it a try?”
“What do you suggest?” Meng Bai said noncommittally.
“Teacher, have you forgotten that the Forging Division likes to hire some high-ranking military officers to provide them with suggestions on how to design weapons? Second Brother’s Huaxia Pavilion definitely needs one too. Teacher, who in the world can compare to your understanding of battle
formations?
“If you go to Huaxia Pavilion as an advisor, I believe His Majesty will be happy to see you succeed. I don’t think Second Brother will reject you.”
Meng Bai seemed to be lost in thought.
The reason he paid attention to Zhou Shu was not because of what Mi Ziwen thought. He was truly thinking for the sake of Great Xia and felt that Zhou Shu was a talent. If he could nurture him, it would be a good thing for Great Xia.
Mi Ziwen’s words moved him slightly. He had already given his life to Great Xia. Even his intention to return to civilian life was for the sake of the stability of Great Xia.
He had worked hard all his life. If he really had nothing to do, he would really be bored. What Mi Ziwen said was also a path.
An advisor of the Forging Division did not have military power, so he would naturally not be able to threaten imperial authority. This would also allow his battle experiences to be useful. At the same time, he could also nurture some talents for Great Xia
“Tl think about it. Go organize the troops and prepare for our return.” Meng Bai waved his hand.
In the You Marquis mansion, Zhou Shu looked at the map, feeling both pain and happiness.
‘What should he build on 1,500 acres of land?
‘There were countless thoughts in his mind, but he felt powerless as to how to implement them.
He was not an architect in his previous life. When he built the oth Workshop, it was not a big place. It was fine if he just instructed the workers haphazardly.
It was such a big place now. If he continued to mess around, wouldn’t he be wasting this territory?
What style should it be built in? Jiangnan Garden? Or Immortal Palace Garden?
There were many beautiful buildings in Zhou Shu’s mind, but he didn’t know how those buildings were built or whether they could be displayed in this world.
Why does building a house feel harder than forging? Zhou Shu rubbed between his brows, his head aching.
He was a Forging Master. To him, forging was easy, but building a house was a completely different thing.
Forging? Why can’t I use the method of forging to build the Huaxia Pavilion? A thought suddenly appeared in Zhou Shu’s mind.
At the same time, he recalled a doc.u.mentary he had watched in his previous life.
The more he thought about it, the brighter Zhou Shu’s eyes became.
If can make the Wudang Golden Peak reappear in this world.
Zhou Shu suddenly became excited.
Is there a better idea than building the Huaxia Pavilion based on the method used by Wudang?
‘The so-called Wudang Golden Peak was a golden palace on the peak of Mount Wudang in his previous life. The golden palace was constructed from gold-plated copper and wood. Zhou Shu remembered clearly that the doc.u.mentary said that the golden palace used a total of 20 tons of refined copper and
300 kilograms of gold!
The entire palace was a.s.sembled from components that had been forged.
Zhou Shu was a Forging Master. Although forging components were not forging weapons, the principles were similar. To him, it was not a big problem.
The problem was how to design this golden palace.
Although Zhou Shu remembered its appearance, the actual construction method wouldn’t be described in detail in the doc.u.mentary. Even if it was introduced, he wouldn’t remember it.
I won’t be able to figure it out on my own. But the construction standards in this world aren’t bad either. Perhaps the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works might have a solution.
However, if I build the Huaxia Pavilion this way, the building cost will be sky high.
I wonder if the Imperial Court can fork out that much money.
Zhou Shu had some doubts about this. Although Yin Wuyou told him to build whatever he wanted and that everything would be paid for by the Imperial Court, he would be a fool if he really took it seriously.
If he really built whatever he wanted on a piece of land that was more than 1,500 acres, he could empty Great Xia’s national treasury!
In that case, not only would Emperor Yuan Feng not agree, but all of Great Xia’s officials would also chew him out.
Even if the Imperial Court doesn’t pay, I’ll pay out of my own pocket to build the Wudang Golden Peak! Zhou Shu thought. It’s just money.
If he didn’t have money, he could just forge a few more weapons!
The Huaxia Pavilion would be his base camp. No matter how much money he spent, it was worth it!
Other than the Wudang Golden Peak, the Hanging Temple can also be used as reference.
Zhou Shu felt that his train of thought had been completely opened up. The Hanging Temple had been constructed by the ancient craftsmen in his previous life according to the Daoist school’s requirements of not hearing the sound of chickens and dogs barking, The entire structure was strange,
suspended, and ingenious.
But Huaxia Pavilion’s mountain was too short. It would probably be a little difficult to build a hanging temple. He had to think of how to adapt to the existing conditions.
And the Mount Shu I saw in TV dramas.
The more Zhou Shu thought about it, the more excited he became. The territory of the Huaxia Pavilion was like a canvas for him to paint as he pleased.
There’s actually a lake at the foot of the mountain. I can make it scenic. In the future, when everyone is tired from forging, they can go and relax.
My Huaxia Pavilion can’t be too tacky. It has to have an immortal aura
I’m going to look for professionals from the Ministry of Works. I have to design the blueprint first.
Zhou Shu picked up the map and walked out.
As for the forging of the components, as long as there are the blueprints, Zhang Yibei and the others can forge them. This is actually the easiest.
Oh yes, this mountain doesn’t seem to have a name yet.
Zhou Shu pondered as he walked toward the Ministry of Works.
I wonder who has the naming rights. Speaking of which, the entire mountain belongs to the Huaxia Pavilion. The naming rights should also belong to me.
What should I name it?
Mount Shu? Mount Tai? Mount Wudang?