If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

After discussion, a preliminary support plan was reached, with Lady Lin leading the navy to assist in the defense of the southern waters of Japan, which belonged to Shinjiro.

Note that this refers to joint defense, which means garrisoning. If the enemy enters the joint defense zone, the navy will attack; conversely, if the enemy does not enter the garrisoned area, the navy will not attack.

The ultimate goal of doing this was to protect Kenshiro's manpower, while Zhou Wu, to the greatest extent possible, avoided directly intervening and disrupting the balance between the two sides.

Then, the South China Sea should quickly manufacture some outdated artillery and sell it to Kenshiro, so that the strength of both sides can be on the same level again.

The plan has been finalized, so let's proceed step by step.

Lin Niangzi led the navy ahead, while Huang Laosan focused on manufacturing cannons.

After everything was arranged, Zhou Wu was left alone in the huge conference room, and he was deep in thought.

"Musketeers and cannons have appeared. Is it a coincidence or a butterfly effect?"

I thought that getting muskets or cannons would allow the dragon to maintain its lead for a long time, but it hasn't been long before other factions have acquired muskets and cannons.

Zhou Wu felt as if an invisible hand was pushing him forward, indicating that scientific research and development needed to be accelerated.

. . . . . .

The next morning, Zhou Wu arrived at the laboratory. He knew that scientific research was not something that could be accomplished overnight, so he didn't come to the laboratory often. However, he provided the laboratory with the highest standards in the South China Sea to alleviate the scientists' concerns.

"It has been some time since the last announcement of the successful development of the steam engine. I wonder what stage the steam engine has reached now."

The laboratory's biggest research achievement is the steam engine, which is also what Zhou Wu cares about most. As for hot air balloons, they have basically no practical strategic significance or great help to Zhou Wu.

"Sir, you are here."

Zhou Wu had specifically sent someone to notify Estan in advance, so Estan was already waiting at the door.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"No, no, we all have such good research conditions thanks to the adults."

Estan is very satisfied with his current life. He doesn't have to worry about his family's livelihood because Zhou Wu provides free housing, scientists receive generous salaries that are enough for a family to live on, and there is also a substantial bonus for successful research.

Having traveled to many European countries, Estan can confidently say that in the world today, there is absolutely no other organization that offers scientists this kind of treatment.

"What stage has the steam engine project reached?"

"After the experimental machine was developed, we have been conducting repeated experiments and making improvements to its stability. At the same time, we are also trying to reduce the size of the steam engine. Currently, the stability is no longer a major issue. In the next few days, we will load it onto a ship for sea trials."

"Oh, so fast?"

"It's mainly because the advice given by the adults beforehand saved us from taking many detours, which is why we were able to make such rapid progress."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived in front of the steam engine.

The steam engine in front of us is quite different from the original experimental machine. It's not that there's any difference in appearance, but it's much more refined and doesn't look as rudimentary as it did before.

"Hmm, not bad, this looks just right."

"After our experiments, we optimized the performance, and the overall power of the steam engine increased by... %..."

After all that rambling, Estan basically just said it's a performance improvement.

"Then let's move on to time and conduct the experiment, the sooner the better."

"Sir, has something happened?"

Previously, Zhou Wu would never urge the laboratory's research, but today when Zhou Wu arrived, he went straight to the steam engine and urged the progress. This series of unusual actions made Estan realize that something was going on.

"Musketeers and cannons have appeared in Japan."

"what!"

Estan exclaimed that it was impossible. Although he did not create the muskets and cannons, he had personally disassembled and studied them when he first came to the South China Sea. Without a certain level of physics knowledge, it would be impossible to make such things.

Although he had never been to Fusang, he had heard a lot about it from Zhou Wu. If it weren't for Zhou Wu, the Great Dragon wouldn't have been able to manufacture muskets and cannons. Fusang was far behind the Great Dragon, so how could it possibly manufacture muskets and cannons? That's ridiculous.

"It's not necessarily that Japan created it itself."

"Does Your Excellency mean other countries or powers?"

"Hmm, Japan certainly doesn't have that capability. Do you think it could be from Europe, or some other country?"

Zhou Wu had already analyzed this mysterious force capable of manufacturing guns and cannons.

So far, the Americas and Australia are probably still in the world of savages, not to mention Africa. The only civilizations are basically concentrated in Asia and Europe. But Zhou Wu knows that among Asian countries, apart from the Great Dragon, no country has the strength to produce firearms and cannons. So the only one left is Europe.

"My lord, it's not impossible. After all, Zhou Wu's people are very rebellious. It's not impossible that someone could secretly develop firearms and cannons while hiding at home."

"Do you know anyone over there who has this kind of talent?"

Zhou Wu forgot about Estan, who was standing next to him; Estan's hometown was there.

"Sir, Europe is so vast, and I am not omnipotent."

Estan smiled somewhat awkwardly, indicating that he hadn't had any such talent around him before.

"Okay, I was just asking casually. I'll be going now, you guys get on with your work."

"Sir, please wait a moment."

After Zhou Wu finished giving his instructions, he prepared to leave, but was stopped by Estan.

"Is there anything else?"

"Since you're here today, there's something I wanted to tell you."

"About the experiment?"

"Yes."

"Well, you said."

Upon hearing that it was about an experiment, Zhou Wu sat down again and listened quietly to what Estan had to say.

"Here's the thing, there's a scientist in the lab who has an idea inspired by the steam engine."

"Oh, what is it?"

For Zhou Wu, any experimental results or ideas are like opening a blind box. He gets excited about every experimental idea and result, even though the final result of these experiments may be completely useless. But that doesn't stop people from having the gambler's mentality.

"Take a look at this design drawing."

Estein pulled out a design drawing and opened it on the table. When Zhou Wu saw it, he froze on the spot, his pupils dilating as if he had seen something unbelievable.

"This, this, this is..."