In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

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This is so that after equipping the Ironclad Pagoda, one will have sufficient stamina to fight.

Otherwise, once you put it on, you'll become like a snail, completely powerless. What's the point of such an Ironclad Pagoda?

This is at sea, guarding this tiny piece of land.

Unless absolutely necessary, such a cavalry cavalry unit is definitely not a good choice.

Therefore, in addition to basic physical training every day, the guards on the island also have to specialize in external martial arts, Qi family swordsmanship, and Liuhe spear!

To become a guard of the Ironclad Pagoda, one must possess the physique to be able to take on ten men at once.

The powerful Ironclad Cavalry is the best choice for defense, rather than a force for naval assault.

Although these guards trained hard, their treatment was also absolute. Apart from not being free, these guards ate lavish meals of fish and meat every day, and most of them were already married and had established careers.

After some officials of the Zhang family committed crimes, their families were sent here as women to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). The youngest and most beautiful women were selected.

19 If they hit it off, they can basically win the heart of the beauty.

This kind of pimping business is mutually beneficial when it's done.

After all, those women were sent to the brothels; the better ones could be bought into wealthy families to be dancers, while the worse ones became government prostitutes!

Zhang Xiaoshan showed little sympathy for this.

Ultimately, how were these young ladies from prominent families raised? At least 90% of them were not innocent.

The remaining 10% may have been wronged, but who can tell the difference between the real Li Kui and the imposter?

Therefore, these guards were genuinely grateful to the Zhang family.

After all, without the Zhang family, how could he have won the heart of such a beautiful and refined young lady?

"It's still the young master who's thinking of us!"

Ten-thousand-year-old turtle meat?

Longshan wasn't an idiot; he naturally knew that this was the flesh and blood of a rare species, and a valuable treasure.

While it may not lead to a dramatic increase in power, it will certainly bring unexpected benefits such as improved blood circulation and a stronger physique!

In addition to the Iron Pagoda mentioned by Zhang Xiaoshan, anyone who could become a guard of the Iron Pagoda would be a master of external martial arts.

"Uncle Long, how's production going lately?"

"Don't worry, young master, everything is running smoothly. In fact, as you instructed, both overt and covert defenses have been strengthened considerably."

"not enough!"

Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head and finally looked at the three eminent monks.

Zhang Xiaoshan always maintained a degree of wariness towards the three monks.

The three were not among the first to follow the Zhang family; if someone had made arrangements, there is a possibility that there was an inside traitor.

However, as long as the Zhang family remains in power, Zhang Xiaoshan is not worried about the possibility of backlash from the three eminent monks!

And this is only a possibility.

Zhang Xiaoshan believed in Juexin, therefore he did not show any outward doubt towards the three eminent monks, but instead said directly:

"Although the three masters have reached the ninth level of the Golden Bell Cover, if someone really wants to take advantage of this place, the three masters will not be able to stop them at all."

"Amitabha!"

Jue Xiang and the others had no doubt about Zhang Xiaoshan's authenticity. Any force that dared to target the Zhang family would make thorough preparations.

Once they make a move, it will be with overwhelming force, something they simply cannot stop.

"From now on, I will send a team of Blood Droplets to garrison this area. Uncle Long, as the person in charge, please arrange their accommodations properly, and it's best to keep their existence a secret."

"The Flying Guillotine? I understand, young master!"

The Flying Guillotine was the Zhang family's secret weapon, so Longshan naturally had no doubts.

Moreover, with the Blood Droplets stationed there, he had a bit of a trump card in his heart, after all, these Blood Droplets were true masters, and were assassins and death squads.

"In addition, inform Yue Qing to prepare the red-clothed cannon as soon as possible."

Only with the red-coated cannons can this fortress be truly foolproof; otherwise... for the sake of certain things, some people might not care about anything else.

"Don't worry, young master!"

After giving some instructions, Zhang Xiaoshan led Huang Rong and the other women on a tour of the four main areas.

Glassmaking, soap making, massive shipyards, warehouses piled high with goods...

The passageways between the factory and warehouses are not manpower-pulled carts, but rather similar to mining carts used to transport heavy and bulky materials and goods.

After all, if steamships could be produced, then mining carts would be even simpler.

It doesn't have the complex design of a train; it only needs one power source.

Even Huang Rong and the other women were shocked.

I never imagined that the mechanisms in the Zhang family's secret base were so sophisticated.

Inside the warehouse, pallets, trailers, and even the hoisting for unloading and loading at the port are all handled by gantry cranes, which are more advanced than tower cranes.

Although the design is rudimentary and it is made using only the most basic principles, it is definitely cutting-edge technology for this era.

Loading and unloading heavy objects weighing tens of thousands of kilograms is done with ease.

···

Why not stay a couple more days?

On the departing ship, Huang Rong watched the base gradually disappear from view.

In just three days of visiting, Huang Rong saw a different world, with all sorts of cutting-edge technologies, completely different from the world she usually saw.

You could say the Zhang family has all sorts of ingenious schemes, but compared to this place, they're nothing.

Legend has it that the Mohist school of the Later Zhou Dynasty possessed a mechanical city left over from the Great Zhou period a thousand years ago, filled with countless traps and unpredictable dangers.

However, the two are different mechanisms.

A deadly trap fraught with danger, and a cutting-edge technology that leads to profound knowledge.

The various mechanisms within the base only brought Huang Rong a novel and awe-inspiring experience.

"Once the matter is settled, it's time to leave."

The order inside is absolutely controlled to prevent any leaks of information; even the carrier pigeons are captive peregrine falcons.

Zhang Xiaoshan's visit to the base was not only a spur-of-the-moment decision, but also served his own purpose.

First, he needed to find several master forging experts to discuss the refining of steel;

Now that the Zhang family has adopted a "one-stop" model, the steel industry naturally cannot lag behind.

He possessed insights beyond his time. Although he had never personally smelted steel, his high school physics knowledge was not acquired in vain.

Just a suggestion, coupled with a modern understanding of steel, enlightened everyone.

Secondly, there are some opinions from government agencies.

The entire base's mechanisms were designed and based on principles provided by Zhang Xiaoshan, while the grandmasters created them based on their own imaginations.

Therefore, there are always some things that cannot be clearly explained in the letter, and Zhang Xiaoshan came here to provide guidance.

In terms of mechanics, although his internal force exceeded the understanding of physics, the basic physical laws still applied.

If an apple falls, it will still fall downwards.

Some of the extraordinary mechanisms, which seem magical, are actually small experiments in physics from later generations.

This is also a place Huang Rong cherishes!

Third, we will examine the three eminent monks to see if they should pass on the Divine Skill of the Wedding Dress.

As long as one person cultivates the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, it can play an absolute role at critical moments. When facing danger, it can directly transfer power and create a master at the Great Perfection of the Innate Realm in a short time.

In the end, Zhang Xiaoshan chose to cultivate the Wedding Dress Divine Skill.

Especially after learning that Juexin and Juezhi had both entered the peerless realm and the eleventh level of the Golden Bell Shield, Juexiang agreed without hesitation.

Although I know it may take me four or five years to reach the level of retraining.

However, the success of enlightenment and wisdom is the absolute driving force for enlightenment.

Two peerless warriors, Golden Bell Shield, 11 levels, 120...

In recent years, Juexiang has committed numerous killings, and his competitive spirit has grown stronger day by day.

Given the profound mystery of this divine skill, only a fool wouldn't practice it.

Even if he couldn't hold on any longer, he could transfer the internal energy he had cultivated to the other two great monks.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan's best choice for him was the younger generation here.

They will all grow old eventually, so the rising stars who are seventeen or eighteen years old are at least thirty years behind.

Moreover, these younger generations have even greater potential for development.

After dealing with these matters, Zhang Xiaoshan led everyone back.

Moreover, in just three days, the number of Ironclad Cavalry, which originally numbered over four hundred, increased to over seven hundred after a large meal of dragon turtle flesh and blood.

Especially the initial four hundred Ironclad Cavalry, who were even stronger.

····

It took three months to return after entering the inland from the mouth of the Heilongjiang River.

Zhang Xiaoshan, who returned via the same route, naturally did not leave empty-handed; he brought back quite a few good things.

Zhang Xiaoshan used the remaining meat of the ancient turtle as bait, and his catch was ten times greater than before. He also caught a rare dragonfish that was nearly two zhang long.

Moreover, the reason Zhang Xiaoshan returned from Longjiang this time, instead of going directly back to Lin'an Prefecture, was that he came from Longjiang.

However, there were some special goods on his ship that needed to be sold off in Ghost Street.

Steel!

The business of smuggling salt and iron was undoubtedly extremely profitable.

Especially with steel, now that the Zhang family has gotten involved, it's naturally the most suitable place to sell it off in Ghost Street.

The best spokesperson would be Madam Wang, so that if anything happened, the Zhang family wouldn't be implicated.

Even though Madam Wang is the master of Tianji Tower, in the past two years, she has gradually shown a tendency to break free from the control of the Zhang family.

Increased strength, inflated ambition, and arrogance...

If it weren't for the importance of the Heavenly Mystery Tower, Madam Wang would probably have already rebelled against the Zhang family and gone solo.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan entrusted this business to Madam Wang without worrying at all that others might suspect it was a Zhang family business.

Chapter 337 Fu Junzhuo and the Twin Dragons: A Rare Investment

"Miss Fu, it's been a long time!"

Even though Fu Junzhuo was high and mighty in Goryeo, she was still amazed by the magnificence of the luxurious cruise ship.

The exterior features a seamless mahogany deck, while the interior boasts a bright, mirror-like celadon floor and animal hide carpets. The simple yet exquisite decor embodies modern classicism.

Moreover, the two boys beside Fu Junzhuo were dumbfounded from the moment they came up.

These were just ordinary thugs; they had never seen such a luxurious ship before.

Once aboard, they dared not even breathe loudly, for fear of angering the owner of the ship.

"I never expected to run into Young Master Zhang in Yangzhou!"

Fu Junzhuo's beautiful face was filled with complex emotions.

Six years later, the boy from back then hasn't changed much.

If there are any possible changes, it would be that her skin would become more radiant and her temperament more gentle and handsome.

She knew this was a sign that her skill was becoming increasingly refined.

Over the years, news from the Central Plains has been constantly reaching Goryeo, indicating that this young master Zhang's strength has reached a legendary level.

Even his self-created Pure Yang Finger is considered the number one finger in the world!