The World Online
Page 686Chapter 686-Popular Science Lecture
Translator: ryangohsf
Editor: Nora
"Announcing the martial genius."
First, Ouyang Shuo granted the title to show auspiciousness.
"Martial genius Niu Da, please enter!"
After a moment, a burly general strolled into the hall; he did not even dare to raise his head. With a Shua! he knelt on one foot, cupping his fists and greeting, “I am Niu Da, greetings Monarch."
His voice trembled.
Niu Da was just a normal major in the Dragon Legion Corps. Before this, he had never expected to have the chance to appear here. Not to mention to be the first person the Lord summoned in the 1st court assembly.
Just that point alone was enough for him to brag about for the rest of his life.
"Please rise!" Ouyang Shuo signaled to Bai Nanpu.
Bai Nanpu understood; he took out the prepared decree and read, “The Monarch decrees, martial genius Niu Da, champion of the three armies, awarded grade 5 title Zhaowu General, promoted to major general of the 5th division of the Guards Legion, effective immediately."
Elation flashed across his face as he kowtowed, “Thank you Monarch for your good grace!"
This honest military man did not even try to hide his excitement. His open emotions caused the old foxes present to shake their heads; some admired him, and some looked down on him.
The martial genius receiving a promotion to major general was Du Ruhui’s promise before the competition. As for the specifics of the division they would go to, the Monarch would make the choice.
Du Ruhui had suggested to send him to the 2nd legion of the Dragon Legion Corps. After all, he was from the Dragon Legion, so he would face less obstacles there.
From major to major general, it was a massive leap.
Majors led men, and they needed to use their strength as a deterrence. At the major general level, one had to use their brains. Niu Da skipping the ranks meant that he had jumped over the colonel training.
Du Ruhui's plan was to play safe.
However, Ouyang Shuo had another idea. Coincidentally, the 5th division of the Guards Legion lacked a major general. As such, why not send him there as an example for the whole army?
The Guards Legion was the trump card legion of the entire territory.
The ability of the major generals there was not something that other major generals could compare to.
Hence, it was no wonder that Niu Da would feel so delighted. Upgrading to major general was already a promotion of two levels and entering the Guards Legion was all the more an honor; it was like taking a step up to the heavens.
As for whether or not he could live up to expectations, it temporarily was not on his mind. In his eyes, the military was about whose fist was the biggest; the person with the bigger fist would be the boss. If you did not like someone, beat them up until they submit.
This was also his military logic, simple, violent, and sometimes rather effective.
Ouyang Shuo stood, taking a tray over from Bai Nanpu.
On the tray was a golden shiny armor; this was Ouyang Shuo’s previous Mingguang Armor.
"This armor was the armor that I wore before. Now, it is awarded to you. Do not disappoint me."
Thinking about it, there was nothing that held as much meaning as this armor.
As expected, Niu Da was emotional beyond words; he shook as he accepted the tray, putting it on the floor beside him. He thanked respectfully, “I will not forget the Monarch's good grace. I will repay you with all I have."
"Great!" Ouyang Shuo exclaimed and said in a low tone, “Niu Da, listen to my orders!"
"Yes, my Monarch!"
Niu Da was extremely alert. As the martial genius of the entire army, he did not lack courage. Under such an atmosphere, even if the Lord asked him to attack an imperial city, he would not even frown.
"Yunnan City-State has disturbed our border and cannot be forgiven. I order you to lead the 5th division to act as a vanguard to meet up with the Dragon Legion Corps." Ouyang Shuo's words shocked everyone.
Disturbing the border was just a random reason he had found.
Of course, it could not be considered a lie.
After all, at his position, he could not say any lies.
Speaking of which, this was a special incident Baiqi, the Military Intelligence Division, and the Honglu Temple had planned ago.
A month ago, the Lord of Qiubei City in Mengding Prefecture had led his troops to invade Zhen An Prefecture, killing 300 residents, destroying two villages before escaping back to his territory.
When Baiqi, who was in charge of the west border, heard the news, he was furious and ordered the person to be dealt with.
As Qiubei City was a member of the Yunnan City-State, the city-state naturally took responsibility for his actions.
Baiqi wrote a letter to request them to hand over the problem maker but nothing had been done.
With that, matters had dragged on. Apart from the people involved, everyone quickly forgot about the incident.
Who would have expected Ouyang Shuo to raise this past topic upon returning, even starting war against Yunnan City-State before any of them could react?
The meaning within gave them many thoughts.
"Yes, my Monarch!"
Niu Da did not think about anything else; he only wished to contribute on the battlefield and not let the Monarch down. After receiving his reward, he backed off to the last row of the generals.
Ouyang Shuo returned to his seat and ordered once more, “General Huo!"
"General!"
After coming to the territory, Huo Qubing had only managed to lead the troops in the Xingzhou Prefecture; he had not had the chance to enter the battlefield.
The great war he had hoped for had finally arrived.
"During this battle against Yunnan City-State, Baiqi will act as the main general while you will be the front general. You will lead the Guards Legion to bring resources to the Dragon Legion Corps base to meet." Ouyang Shuo's expression was a little weird.
The desire for battle in his eyes was too sharp and strong. Hence, after ordering him to lead the Guards Legion, Ouyang Shuo decided to store this god general in ice.
With that, the famous, genius general that millions of girls loved had disappeared from the view of players, hidden in the deep palaces of the imperial city away from everyone.
There was a period of time where people even protested against Ouyang Shuo's actions toward him.
"Huo Huo is mine!"
"Give me back my Huo Huo!"
Similar grumbles and complaints did not stop at all.
‘Huo Huo support team’ had become one of the strongest supporters of him online on the forums. The Black Snake Guards even found out that Bai Hua was a core member.
When Ouyang Shuo heard the news, he did not know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed like Huo Qubing had truly dazzled her. Who knows what waves Huo Qubing would cause when he headed to the Yunnan Battlefield this time.
"Yes, my Monarch!"
Huo Qubing did not hesitate and accepted the order.
In any battle, the front general was the vanguard, and this matched like his personality. The genius general in history finally had a chance to show his skills.
……
The court assembly had ended up as a pre-war battle mobilization. Without a doubt, the moment this ended, the news of Shanhai City declaring war on Yunnan City-State would spread across the entire China region.
At that time, the entire Nanjiang would be shaken and everyone would be alerted.
This was Ouyang Shuo's purpose.
The Guards Legion rushing to the Dragon Legion Corps base needed them to pass through three prefectures of land, so it would take close to half a month.
Hence, the true war would not start so quickly.
Hence, the Monarch making such a big deal about the mobilization surprised everyone. Normally speaking, wouldn’t quietly mobilizing the troops and launching a sneak attack be better?
On the contrary, Du Ruhui and the others were expressionless.
This plan was not something Ouyang Shuo had come up with on the spot but was raised after careful consideration by the Military Affairs Bureau.
After settling the troops issue, Ouyang Shuo changed the topic, “Summon Liu Mo!"
Liu Mo walked in and bowed, “Greetings, Monarch!"
"You can begin!"
Yesterday, Ouyang Shuo had already told Liu Mo what he needed to say.
"Yes, my Monarch!"
Liu Mo nodded, clapping his hands toward the outer door.
Instantly, the Divine Martial Guard in charge of guarding the Governor-General Manor carried a steam engine, a sewing machine, and a blackboard into the hall.
"What's that?"
Looking at such this ‘monster’, the civil servants all looked at it curiously, not knowing what in the world it was.
When Ouyang Shuo heard their questions, he sighed in his heart.
Shanhai City's civil servant and general formation was so dazzling; however, it was still lacking.
No matter if it was civil servants like Xiao He or generals like Huo Qubing, they were all unfamiliar with technology. Apart from Zhang Tingyu, who had seen western technology, probably only the Taiping Army generals had.
Ouyang Shuo's voyage was a whole new world to them.
Even so, they still did not have a clear idea about industrialization. Their thinking still stopped at the age of following the thinking and ideals of the king.
They had no knowledge about the uses of technology and the effects it could cause and have.
As a result, the industrialization of the territory had been proceeding slowly, making Ouyang Shuo displeased. One problem was the officials not understanding industrialization.
Now with the steam engine, sewing machine, and even the flying device crafting technique, it was the best time to industrialize. In the future period of time, territory finances, territory funds, and more would all pour toward it.
With that, Ouyang Shuo needed all the officials to realize the importance. After all, the ones taking action were them. If their thinking was not open, industrialization could not even start.
Ouyang Shuo could not actually replace all of them with players, right?
That was not practical.
……
Liu Mo was a technology nerd. Even in the imperial court, he did not dare to speak any false words. With a blackboard, he started to give all the ministers an eye-opening popular science lecture.
In terms of theory, Liu Mo had extremely deep skill. Furthermore, he was not a dull person and knew that he was teaching novices, so he started from the basics before going deeper in.
Along with practical aspect and diagrams, his lecture was extremely easy to understand.
Such a scene could be said to have opened up the ancient generation to the new world.