New Ship Blueprints

The Record Keeper, unwilling to listen further, left early.

Liang Qu dismissed his attendants and asked a series of questions.

To repay the kindness, the Groom Official answered each question in turn.

As a centralized dynasty, and with information recorded entirely on paper books, the circulation of knowledge in the Da Shun was extremely limited.

Even a lot of unimportant information will still be in the hands of a few people or a specific group of people, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

The Groom Official were a specific group of people, and because they had served the Dragon Blood Horse for generations, they knew more, which further enhanced Liang Qu's understanding of the world.

When the Dragon Lord was alive, the Qian Dynasty had made an agreement with him.

Lesser demons do not Shang An, Great Demon do not come ashore; this corresponds to the rule that humans cannot kill Great Demon in the water without cause.

The two groups often exchanged benefits and conducted trade regularly. At that time, the Jiang Huai Great Marsh could be described as a country within a country.

During their best years together, the Dragon Palace forces even helped kill several troublesome Great Demon along the coast.

Every Aristocratic Clan has at least a few businesses.

The most skilled could even sell their Northern Court and Southeast Asia.

For example, the Xu Family of Huang Province, from which Liang Qu's Master's Wife, Xu Shi, came from, was most famous for its cloth business, producing Soft Mist Silk, Double Palace Silk, Square Mesh Gauze, Cicada Wing Gauze, and so on...

There were so many kinds of clothes that he couldn't recognize them all, but every time he received a new piece of clothing from his master 'Master's Wife Master's Wife, she would explain it in great detail, saying how soft this one was, how rough that one was, how each piece of clothing was made, and how much time and effort it took for a weaver to make it.

Back then, the "Royal" also had business—breed horses.

Its main base was located in the Southern Zhili Governor-General's residence, making it a true neighbor to the Jiang Huai Great Marsh!

Naturally, those who are near the water get the moon first, and the Dragon Blood Horse was created under such circumstances.

It was supposed to be a good thing.

The underwater environment is unpredictable, and many rare treasures are guarded by Great Demon. Having a trustworthy third party, the "Dragon Lord," as a guarantor to facilitate the exchange of goods is truly a great blessing.

However, as time went by, the Qian Dynasty was engulfed in war, and the trade route that was originally held once a year was completely cut off.

When everything was at peace, the horse-breeding Aristocratic Clan of yesteryear emerged as the ultimate winner, establishing the Da Shun. Only when they wanted to resume trade did they learn that the Dragon Lord had died.

How he died, when he died, and who is currently in charge of the Dragon Palace —none of these are things a lowly Groom Official could know. He couldn't even be sure whether the dragon Dragon Blood Horse came from the Dragon Lord himself.

"Lord Liang, you can't trust him completely. I'm just a lowly horse groom, but my family has been raising horses in Southern Zhili for generations. I've benefited from their glory, so I know a bit more about them."

However, oral traditions are prone to errors, omissions, and inaccuracies. It's even possible that elders might fabricate or exaggerate facts to appease younger generations. You can use it as a reference, but please don't take it as definitive evidence.

Liang Qu nodded. "If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't have known so many secrets and broadened my horizons."

"If it can be of any help to Lord Liang, then the horse-raising recipes you gave me will not have been in vain."

The Groom Official bowed deeply, and after confirming that there were no problems, he took the sachet from Liang Qu's body as a token and hurried along the road towards Yi Xing Town, intending to go to Liang Residence to ask for the Red Mountain recipe.

It feels a bit like a scam.

Liang Qu stroked his chin, but logically speaking, the Water Treasure Plant should be more suited to the Dragon Blood Horse.

Top-grade items are unlikely, but the probability of encountering high-grade items should increase in the future? It feels so good to have my mind full of knowledge.

Liang Qu left Red Mountain in the stable and ran back to the Prefectural Office.

The reason I came back was not to ride around on horseback and show off to others.

He has just been promoted to the position of Dushui Official and needs to thoroughly understand his responsibilities and the area he is in charge of.

I don't know if I can continue working in Ping Yang County. It wouldn't be good if I were transferred out.

Inside Ran Zhongshi's study.

"Don't worry, you're still in Ping Yang County. They'll definitely give priority to their own people. They won't transfer you out."

happy.

Liang Qu felt that today was a good day.

Ran Zhongshi flipped through the documents, pulled out a map, and used a charcoal pencil to circle the location of Liang Qu.

Having been promoted to the position of Dushui Official, he naturally could no longer be confined to the small Yi Xing Town; he needed to expand outwards.

Heading south from Yi Xing Town, it connects to several other towns and townships in Ping Yang County, totaling three large towns and eight townships.

"This large area that has been temporarily settled is under your management. You must ensure that the waterways are unobstructed and that fishermen can fish stably. If there are any waterways in the village that need to be opened, you will be responsible for coordinating the use of River Opening Ox."

"Another town should at least have one River Earl and five River Chiefs. Yi Xing Town was nearby, right under the nose of the Prefectural Office, and you, as a River Earl, did a good job, so we didn't assign you any subordinates. Now that's not acceptable. Should I transfer people to you, or do you choose them yourself?"

"Big Brother Ran, please transfer me. I don't know anyone, so it would be best to select someone from among the sergeants."

Liang Qu wanted to promote Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang.

The two knew each other well, were from the same village, and had a close relationship.

Unfortunately, their strength was insufficient.

Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang are progressing too slowly. They work at Martial Arts School during the day and patrol the river at night, doing two jobs and earning two salaries. They are only "about" to break through to the Second Barrier.

If they really reach the Second Barrier, Liang Qu will definitely be able to get two river chief positions of the Subordinate Ninth Rank.

Now we have to settle for second best and prioritize selecting from non-commissioned officers who have received professional training and are much better than the untrained recruits gathered locally or from other counties. They are also more obedient.

"Okay, I'll arrange it for you, but not today. A lot of people have been promoted, and I need to reorganize things. In a few days, when there are no conflicts with the transfers, I'll give you the personnel list."

"Thank you so much, Big Brother Ran! I'll treat you to my homemade Iced Milk Drink another day!"

"Haha, okay, if it doesn't taste good, I'll get you all those thugs."

"Then we'll just have to keep it for someone else to use."

After a few jokes, Liang Qu went downstairs to the Records Room, found Li Shoufu, the Secretary Li whom he knew well, asked for the Minor Merit merit register, and turned to the ship drawings section.

Secretary Li glanced at it. "Lord Liang wants ship blueprints?"

"Yes, what's wrong?" Liang Qu looked up.

"You need the blueprints for your own use, right?"

"That's right."

"Then why not exchange them for ships? Once you have a large fleet, the blueprints will be more valuable than the finished products!"

"No, I want the blueprints." Liang Qu shook his head.

Li Shoufu was taken aback, thinking that Liang Qu might have some other ideas, and stopped talking.

"This one, please."

Liang Qu pointed to a pointed-bottom watercraft, which resembled a Fujian-style ship in shape.

Its upper part is level like a balance, and its lower part is sharp like a blade, so that it can cut through the waves.

The boat is 18 meters long, which is quite large. It takes five or six men to operate it, which is about the same number of River Otter he has at home, enough for him to use.

The downside is that it's expensive; it cost a full 146 Minor Merit.

Even all the Minor Merit gained from strangling the Ghost Mother Sect were not enough, and a portion of Liang Qu's merit reserves were overdrawn.

Knowledge is invaluable.

Before leaving, Li Shoufu asked, "Lord Liang, you now have four Great Merit, would you like to exchange them for something?"

"Let me think about it."

Liang Qu is not in a hurry; Great Merit will not be lost.

In mid-August, the Ship Model will be completed soon, not long after the second transaction with the Toad.

First, see what you can get from the Toad, then fill in the gaps, make the most of your Great Merit, and strive to maximize your benefits.