Chapter 8 Preparation 4

Ultimately, no parent wishes for their son-in-law to be a flirtatious and capricious character. Instead, someone like Wang Shuhui, who is wealthy, handsome, and honest, embodies the ideal qualities of a good son-in-law. As a single father, Zhu Youzi lacks the meticulousness of a mother and does not share concerns about his son-in-law's lack of romantic interest. On the contrary, he finds Wang Shuhui's straightforwardness and genuine concern for his daughter's health to be the most suitable qualities for entrusting his daughter for a lifetime.

"Sister, there is no need to be polite. These are nourishing elixirs for health and beauty, which are particularly beneficial for women's wellness and aesthetics. You must follow the method I just mentioned, taking them on time and in the prescribed amounts." As a lifelong bachelor, Wang Shuhui naturally could not comprehend Zhu Weiwan's budding feelings of youth, and like a clumsy fool, he insisted on the methods and dosages of the medicine. This lack of understanding of romantic sentiments brought great joy to Zhu Youzi, who was observing closely from the side.

Wang Shuhui understood that it was quite unrealistic to promote a modern industrial revolution in China in 1619. However, he was also acutely aware that without advanced industry as a foundation, it would be quite difficult to achieve an overwhelming military advantage over the peasant armies and the barbaric Manchus.

However, Wang Shuhui did not completely adhere to the traditional attire of ancient people. He wore modern clothing underneath, but over it, he donned a Daoist robe with a white gauze inner collar. On his head, he wore a finely crafted modern sand hat. This ensemble, combined with Wang Shuhui's fair complexion and tall stature, which reflect the privileges of modern living, aligns well with the aesthetic standards of the Ming Dynasty.

Wang Shuhui believes that as long as the steel issue can be resolved, supporting the military industrial construction of the 18th century with a modern steel enterprise at the level of the 20th century should be as simple as child's play. With such a level of military industry backing, it would be easy to arm an army of around 100,000 and send the peasant army and the barbaric Manchus to hell, thereby unifying northern China

In Wang Shuhui's view, the environment at the end of the Ming Dynasty was not significantly different from that at the end of the Qing Dynasty, or even during the Republic of China period. However, at the end of the Qing Dynasty, there was the possibility of introducing technology from the already modernized Western powers. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, there was no advanced and readily available Western technology to be introduced, but with Wang Shuhui's time-traveling golden finger, this provided an external and *illustrative* condition for the industrial revolution at the end of the Ming Dynasty

On one hand, Zhu Weiwen felt delighted by Wang Shuhui's concern, while on the other hand, she sensed that Wang Shuhui's attitude towards her was somewhat different from what she had imagined. In any case, the thoughts of a young girl are beyond the comprehension of older men

In an agricultural society, agricultural issues are always of primary importance. Wang Shuhui's early work at the end of the Ming Dynasty involved acquiring land and cultivating as well as promoting high-yield, cold-resistant crops. He understood that in ancient society, it was fundamentally impossible to establish a modern fertilizer and pesticide industry. However, it was not entirely out of the question to seek fertilizers and pesticides.

Wang Shuhui believes that even in the late Ming Dynasty, the absence of readily available talents who have received modern education is not a significant issue. He is fully capable of cultivating talents himself during that period. As a teacher, Wang Shuhui thinks that the eight or nine-year-old children of the late Ming Dynasty would not be more difficult to teach than children in modern society. Moreover, he does not have particularly high expectations; as long as he can train a few hundred students with a middle school level of knowledge in modern society, these students can then teach thousands of others with the same level of knowledge. Relying on these thousands of students with a middle school education and literacy, establishing a modern steel enterprise on the scale of the Hanyang Iron Works is not an unrealistic idea.

Wang Shuhui found many methods for producing organic fertilizers and organic pesticides online. He plans to purchase some land near Zhijiang County, hire some farmers, and test whether the combination of high-yield seeds with organic pesticides and fertilizers can achieve high yields by the end of the Ming Dynasty

When Zhu Youzi and his daughter saw Wang Shuhui again, they both felt a sense of brightness before them. This time, Wang Shuhui came to Beijing not only to sell items in Liulichang but also to find a small manufacturer specializing in the production of props for film and television, ordering a batch of Ming Dynasty costumes. Wang Shuhui himself did not particularly like such cumbersome ancient clothing, but since he was preparing to make a significant impact at the end of the Ming Dynasty, it was inevitable to adapt to the local customs and immerse himself in the temporal and spatial environment.

Wang Shuhui even felt that there was no need to hasten the demise of the future Southern Ming court. After defeating the barbaric Manchus and the peasant armies, it would be entirely possible to focus all efforts on developing the north, watching as the Southern Ming court gradually moves towards its downfall amidst factional struggles, and then to move south to clean up the aftermath

Wang Shuhui and Zhu Youzi, a father and daughter, were drinking tea, and a sense of unease began to stir within them. Their attitudes towards their emotions seemed somewhat misaligned with the atmosphere of the library. Zhu Weiwan appeared awkward, while Zhu Youzi smiled and kept observing her, occasionally nodding in a vague manner, leaving one to wonder what was transpiring between this father and daughter.

"This... this, dear brother, I am not ill, so why have you prepared this for me?" Zhu Weiwan was astonished to see that Wang Shuhui not only prepared beautifully packaged elixirs in transparent glass bottles for her father, but also concocted several types of elixirs for her. On one hand, she felt somewhat bewildered, while on the other hand, a sweet sensation arose in her heart.

With such a plan in place, Wang Shuhui found no further reason to remain in the capital. He quickly returned to his hometown to begin procuring supplies. After preparing various seeds and seedlings, Wang Shuhui, in order to ensure a bountiful harvest for the first batch of grain, also purchased a large quantity of fertilizers and pesticides, transporting these materials to the late Ming Dynasty during the night

Apart from agricultural issues, Wang Shuhui believes that industrial problems are also very significant. The technological level and talent accumulation during the late Ming Dynasty were insufficient to support the formation of modern industry. However, Wang Shuhui feels that, at the very least, through his own efforts, he should establish a primary industry at the level of the 18th century by the end of the Ming Dynasty

Wang Shuhui and Zhu Youzi exchanged greetings, taking out several bottles of nutritional supplements from a large travel bag. These supplements were designed to replenish various vitamins and proteins. The malnutrition resulting from the years of hardship faced by Zhu Youzi and her father necessitated their reliance on these nutritional products. The small pills containing vitamins, proteins, and cod liver oil conveniently provided Wang Shuhui with a valid excuse for his alchemical seclusion.

Thus, he prepared to attempt modern industrial construction in the context of the late Ming Dynasty. His requirements for industry were not high; as long as it could provide qualified steel for the production of Minié rifles and Napoleon cannons in heavy industry, he would be satisfied. According to his understanding, the Minié rifle and Napoleon cannon, employing the tactic of firing squads, could theoretically sweep away all ancient armies, whether from the East or the West.

After transporting these supplies, Wang Shuhui discovered a significant change in the portal. In the area overlapping with the container, there were substantial corrosive marks, and surprisingly, the portal did not shrink after eroding the metal of the container during this transport. This delighted Wang Shuhui. It seems that the maintenance of the portal requires the consumption of metal for energy replenishment, which relieved Wang Shuhui, who had been worried that the portal might disappear at any moment.