#519 - Singles Night

Five days later, October 24th.

Tomorrow is the day of Wei Changtian's wedding with Liang Qin. Everything is already prepared, and Wei Changtian has already returned a few days ago.

On the first day of his return, he went to see Ning Yu Ke, told her about the Shu army's next offensive plan, and also arranged the next major development strategy of the Shu Kingdom.

Although most of the people in the Shu Kingdom are not worried about food and clothing and live a prosperous life, the social productivity is still backward, and the production structure of the small-scale peasant economy determines that it is not essentially different from Da Ning.

Therefore, in order to narrow the gap with Da Ning in terms of "comprehensive national strength" as soon as possible, it is far from enough to just reduce taxes and distribute fields. In the end, it is necessary to change the production structure and complete the industrial revolution.

In this way, the previously shelved steam engine research and development plan was officially put on the agenda for the first time.

Of course, Wei Changtian is not like the protagonists of many time-travel novels in his previous life, who can draw the drawings of steam engines at will.

His understanding of steam engines is actually limited to—boiling water, using steam to push the piston after the water is boiled, and then transforming it into usable power through a series of complex mechanical transmissions.

Obviously, such a level of understanding, as well as the steam engine photos he had occasionally seen in his previous life, were not enough to support Wei Changtian in inventing a real steam engine.

But why do it yourself?

Aren't so many skilled craftsmen just decorations?

Just say what you know, and let the craftsmen study the rest themselves.

In this way, under Wei Changtian's "suggestion", Ning Yu Ke immediately ordered the Ministry of Industry to set up a new agency specifically responsible for researching these "ingenious skills".

Named—"Tiangong Bureau".

On the second day after returning, Wei Changtian went to "inspect" the Datong City under construction.

Now, nearly two months have passed since the groundbreaking ceremony.

With the existence of cultivators, the construction speed is naturally incomparable to that of ancient times, so the city wall project has now been completed by 70% or 80%.

Moreover, there is not nothing inside the city wall. Not only have many houses been built, but even several small markets have been formed.

Although it is not large-scale, it is also lively and has a sense of life.

It's just that these people are actually refugees from other states who ran to Shu Prefecture to escape the famine. There are very few people from Shu.

This is because, due to the appearance of the Tengu Army, there have been many rumors in the Shu Kingdom about the real purpose of Datong City.

Many people in Shu now know that this new city is being built for the monster race, so even if the land price is cheap, they are unwilling to move here to live.

Of course, refugees from other states are certainly even more unwilling.

However, the fields that Wei Changtian had previously promised to distribute to them were all nearby, and they had no choice but to bite the bullet and settle down, becoming the first residents of Datong City.

Although they will have to "coexist with demons" in the future, at least they will not starve to death now.

What's more, these people were mostly the lowest-level tenant farmers before, working hard under the scorching sun and stepping on the yellow soil every day, and in the end they could only get barely enough food from the landlord.

But now, no matter what, they finally have their own fertile land, and all the grain they grow belongs to them.

Coupled with the extremely low land tax in Shu

Without a doubt, such a life is something that these refugees never dared to dream of before.

So even if they have to live with the monster race in the future, they are unwilling to give up everything they have now.

The third day after returning.

On the way back to Shuzhou City from Datong City in a carriage, Wei Changtian received good news from Chu Xianping—Yangzhou is willing to surrender.

In just three days, Chu Xianping and Du Chang successfully "persuaded" the governor and general of Yangzhou to give up resistance, and since then "gloriously" merged into the territory of the Shu Kingdom.

Wei Changtian was not surprised by this result.

After all, after several nationwide troop mobilizations, there were not many state troops left in various states of Da Ning. Unless Ning Yongnian sent troops to support them, Yangzhou would never be able to resist the Shu army's footsteps.

Surrendering is considered knowing the times and not wanting to make unnecessary resistance.

Not surrendering is considered having backbone and not wanting to be a traitor.

The probability of these two choices is about half and half.

But now it seems that the main officials of Yangzhou care more about their own lives.

Presumably, when the Shu army continues to attack eastward in the future, the resistance and resistance it receives will be greatly reduced as a result.

As for when to continue attacking Suzhou to the east.

This needs to be discussed with Chu Xianping and Liang Zhen, because it will take some time to take over Yangzhou.

But it shouldn't be too long.

The fourth day after returning.

After thinking for a full five days, You Wenzong finally decided to "abandon the dark and turn to the light", and was escorted from Guanghan to Shuzhou City today.

After giving him the puppet pill, Wei Changtian took him to Weiyang Palace to see Ning Yu Ke.

Ning Yu Ke issued an edict to the world, and You Wenzong transformed into the prime minister of the Shu Kingdom.

This is what Wei Changtian had promised long ago.

However, You Wenzong, who has changed from a "chess piece" to a "chess player", does not seem very excited, and even seems a little lonely.

Wei Changtian knew that he still had knots in his heart that had not been resolved, but he did not persuade him.

After all, the guilt brought about by "betrayal" can only be resolved through time.

Besides, it is actually a good thing for You Wenzong to have this guilt, which shows that he is not only an excellent politician, but also a fairly loyal courtier.

Of course, no matter what, such a "loyal minister" still betrayed Ning Yongnian in the end.

Is it out of a desire for greater power?

Or for the safety of his family?

Or after seeing the customs and culture of Shu, was he impressed by the more excellent "system" of the Shu Kingdom?

Only You Wenzong himself knows the real reason.

All Wei Changtian can do is to let Wei Xianzhisend his family to Shuzhou as soon as possible, perhaps after reuniting with his family, You Wenzong will be able to get out of the haze and devote himself to the "greater cause".

The fifth day after returning.

Tomorrow is the day to marry his first "wife". According to the practice of his previous life, Wei Changtian should have a "bachelor night", or go to a brothel to have fun for one night.

However, Wei Changtian certainly has no time or interest in doing these things.

Now that he thinks about it, he seems to have rarely visited brothels since he came to Shu Prefecture.

Last time...it seemed like he was accompanying Old Zhangtou in Fengyuan.

From a brothel regular to a "gentleman".

This change is not because Wei Changtian suddenly became serious, but simply because he has no time.

In addition, he already has enough women in his family to "deal with".

Xu Qingwan, Lu Jingyao, Yuan'er, Qiuyun, Yang Liushi

Thinking of Yang Liushi, Wei Changtian realized that he had forgotten about it these days when he returned to Shuzhou City.

Turning his head and glanced at the sky, it was still early.

"Wan'er, I'm going to Liushi's place."

Getting up and putting on his coat, Wei Changtian said to Xu Qingwan, who was checking the guest list for tomorrow.

"Huh?"

Little Comrade Xu raised her head and asked softly: "Then will you come back tonight?"

"This..."

Wei Changtian touched his nose: "Not necessarily."

"Okay, I know."

Xu Qingwan walked over and tidied up his clothes, and told him worriedly: "But if you stay overnight at Miss Liushi's place, you must not get up late tomorrow morning."

"Don't delay picking up the bride."

"Oh, why don't I go with you."

"You and Miss Liushi do whatever you want to do tonight, I'll call you in the morning."

Wei Changtian: "? ? ?"