Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 206: Arms Trade

Hearing Li Xian’s inquiry, Xu Ren replied seriously, “Yes, I’ve thought about it for a long time. In fact, I also know of a type of parasol tree that can produce fuel oil, and its yield is quite considerable. There is also a tree called the ‘stinky oil fruit,’ whose fruit contains a large amount of oil.

There are actually many, many ways to produce fuel for internal combustion engines.

But all of these methods have one major drawback: high costs and low output!”

After his initial shock, Li Xian gradually calmed down, contemplating his development strategy. Suddenly, a cold sweat broke out on his back. “Sir, you are right. If I keep everything in my own hands, then sooner or later, Anyang will become a piece of fat meat in the eyes of others.

‘A man’s wealth is his own ruin by causing others’ jealousy!’

Only by appropriately releasing some technologies can we ensure our safety while also gaining broader development opportunities.”

Xu Ren nodded approvingly, “Young Master, at the beginning of your development, you followed this very principle. Why did you later become increasingly reluctant and closed off?”

“The technology was too good—I didn’t want others to benefit from it for free!” Li Xian gave a wry smile. “But I almost ended up in danger because of it. Fortunately, you reminded me.”

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“Haha, no need to thank me. This is what I should do. I’m just glad you’re willing to take my advice. If possible, you can release a portion of the internal combustion engine’s blueprints—just the structural diagrams, nothing too detailed.

These blueprints are like bait; to catch fish, you must first offer bait.

Once they get the blueprints, they will experience the benefits of industrial development and, in turn, will continue researching industrial and technological advancements. This will inevitably lead to a flourishing competition.

By proactively releasing the blueprints and technology, we at least gain a nominal advantage, forcing others to maintain a surface-level respect for us!”

Li Xian nodded and immediately ordered his new personal guard, Chen Jinbing, “Chen Jinbing, take my orders, ride the train back to Qingyun Valley, and bring back the first-generation design blueprints of the internal combustion engine.”

Previously, Li Xian had taken in five constables—Song Xing, Chen Jinbing, Wang Cong, Yuan Yun, and Yu Chao. Song Xing had since been promoted, making Chen Jinbing the second-in-command of Li Xian’s personal guard.

After Chen Jinbing left, Li Xian instructed Fang Shijing, “Go and make the announcement. Tonight, we will hold our first technical exchange meeting, focusing on the internal combustion engine. Inform everyone that Anyang will publicly display the internal combustion engine blueprints and allow them to copy them using any tools they bring, whether jade slips or paper—whatever they prefer.

Our design consists of approximately 300 sheets of blueprints, each about four feet in size.”

Li Xian’s decision immediately ignited even more enthusiasm at the already feverish industrial expo. Fang Shijing dispatched ten tons of engineering drafting paper, but it was sold out in the time it took to drink a cup of tea. The entire stock was wiped out in an instant.

When the paper ran out, Li Xian waved his hand, saying, “Bring out all the cloth!” As expected, the cloth was quickly snatched up as well. In the end, not only were white, yellow, and light green fabrics gone, but even dark-colored cloth was in short supply.

Almost everyone wanted to copy the internal combustion engine blueprints. However, the most crucial aspect wasn’t just the blueprints themselves—it was that the Brilliant Star Group was publicly revealing its technology for the first time. This meant exposing an immense amount of technical details!

By evening, the train roared into the station. Chen Jinbing, along with several guards, carried two large chests into the venue. Instantly, the brightly lit and densely packed hall fell into complete silence.

The host of this meeting was Fang Shijing. After Fang Shijing nodded, Chen Jinbing and the others propped up wooden frames one by one and hung up the internal combustion engine design blueprints.

Exquisite designs, various complex symbols, crisscrossing lines, different three-dimensional and planar figures, and locally enlarged design diagrams…

Each time a blueprint was hung, an exclamation of surprise rippled through the crowd. This was the first time the Brilliant Star Group had publicly displayed its “technology.”

Bright lights illuminated the blueprints down to the finest detail. Surrounding merchants, representatives, and others all quietly copied them. Regardless of whether they understood or not, they hurriedly transcribed the designs first.

Some attempted to record the blueprints using jade slips but quickly gave up in frustration. The issue with jade slips when recording technical information was… distortion!

Jade slips were fine for storing general information and rough images, but when it came to recording precise details, they fell short.

Fang Shijing stood at the podium, where a speech manuscript lay, primarily providing a simple introduction to the principles of the internal combustion engine. However, the scene was too silent—everyone was focused on copying the blueprints as fast as possible.

Seeing this, Fang Shijing had no choice but to raise his voice:

“Everyone, no need to rush! The blueprints will be displayed here for two days, and anyone is welcome to copy them. Now, I will explain the basic principles of the internal combustion engine.

The principle of the internal combustion engine is simple: combustion, expansion, and work. With pistons, crankshafts, cams, and other components, the expanding force generated by combustion is converted into mechanical motion.

To be more specific, it works like this…”

Fang Shijing kept his explanation simple, covering the principles and blueprints of the internal combustion engine in just over ten minutes. Finally, he began to boast:

“Young Master Li Xian, realizing the limitations of sea soul silk and formation engines, specially developed internal combustion engine technology. Today, we are offering this technology to the entire world.

The internal combustion engine has a wide range of applications. It can be used in locomotives and ships, as well as in machine tools and textile machinery. It can even replace manual labor in operating ballistae, forging iron, and more. Nearly all simple and repetitive mechanical movements can be replaced by an internal combustion engine!

An internal combustion engine can be large or small; it can have a single cylinder or more than a dozen cylinders.

The fundamental knowledge and principles are all here. From now on, it’s up to all of us to push forward together.”

Cheers and praise erupted all around. Regardless of anything else, the Brilliant Star Group had ultimately made their technical knowledge public, allowing everyone to witness the core of industry—technology—for the first time.

After a brief pause, Fang Shijing dropped another bombshell:

“Everyone, tomorrow, the arms trade will commence.

Due to the dangers involved, the transaction site is located in a valley ten kilometers away. Anyone who wishes to engage in arms trading must take an oath.

The oath is simple and included in the invitations. There are only two conditions:

First, purchased arms may not be used within two months.

Second, 150mm caliber artillery can only be used externally, not domestically.”

Fang Shijing then left, leaving only the guards maintaining order at the scene. However, no one dared to cause trouble. At this moment, if anyone stirred up conflict, they wouldn’t even need Anyang’s people to act—everyone else would tear them apart first.