New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

"How does this thing work? How does it operate? Could you demonstrate it on the spot?"

Faced with Wanyan Xun's three questions, Tang Qian simply rolled his eyes at him: "The craftsmen who assist me are all gone, and now there's no one to cooperate with me."

Since the rotation speed could not be increased, Tang Qian could only think of increasing the number of people. In order to make the ejector pin rotate in a normal working state, two people had to crank the handle, otherwise it would easily stop rotating due to the resistance of the cutting tool.

Wanyan Xun stepped forward: "This king may try to figure out how to get this lathe turning."

Since you're willing to die, I'm willing to bury you.

Tang Qian muttered a curse to himself, then pointed to a crank handle next to him: "Just turn it."

Following Tang Qian's instructions, Wanyan Xun sat down in front of the crank handle and exerted a sudden force with his right hand. The crank handle drove the iron gear, which then transmitted the force to the front of the vehicle where Tang Qian was. However, because one person's strength was too small, the speed was still not increased.

"Speed ​​up, otherwise the lathe won't work."

Wanyan Xun was slightly taken aback, but immediately used his right hand. Even though he prided himself on his innate superhuman strength, he still used all his strength to barely get the lathe to rotate at Tang Qian's speed.

Tang Qian pulled out a tree branch and placed it on the lathe, holding it in place at both ends with center pins. Driven by the lathe head, the tree branch began to rotate.

"Don't slow down." While constantly reminding Wanyan Xun, Tang Qian took out a silver dagger from the wooden shelf in front of him. He ran the tip of the dagger along the branch from top to bottom. Amidst the flying sawdust, the originally irregular branch became smooth and round at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A moment later, Tang Qian took the wooden handle off the cart and handed it to Wanyan Xun: "The young prince is indeed born with a pair of unicorn arms. He can exert the same strength as two people working together."

Wanyan Xun chuckled, stood up, shook his aching arms, and took the arrow shaft from Tang Qian's hand. His eyes lit up: "This is simply amazing!"

The most common scene in warfare during the era of cold weapons was two armies charging into battle, with real, brutal combat. Even the victorious side would never suffer zero casualties after a battle. Often, without a brilliant strategist in charge, both sides would suffer heavy losses.

Population is the most scarce resource, because warhorses and weapons can be replenished within two or three years, but it takes at least more than ten years for a person to grow from childhood to adulthood. Once the population declines sharply, the regime is not far from its demise.

As the only long-range weapon in war, bows and arrows would be exchanged before the two armies engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The purpose was to kill as many enemy troops as possible, so that the cavalry could gain a numerical advantage and win the battle.

If the range and accuracy of bows and arrows are improved, it will definitely become the key to victory or defeat in battle, thus turning the tide of battle. The arrow shafts that Tang Qian is currently making can definitely improve the range and power of arrows.

More importantly, this lathe has a simple manufacturing process and a production speed that is ten times faster than traditional manual labor. It is no exaggeration to call it a miraculous tool.

"With this lathe, how can my Great Jin Dynasty not unify the Central Plains?"

Tang Qian glanced at Wanyan Xun, whose excitement was palpable, and sighed softly, shaking his head: "Hasn't Your Highness noticed the problem?"

He first pointed to the crank handles on the left and right sides: "At present, the only way I can think of is for two people to work together to increase the speed. Although it can solve the problem temporarily, human strength is always limited. Ordinary men working together can only last for half a quarter of an hour, which is already quite good. Even someone as strong as Your Highness probably can't last long."

Wanyan Xun frowned, then subconsciously moved his still somewhat sore arms.

"Secondly, the wear and tear on the shaft is too great, and it will break down after a short time. My analysis is that the raw materials contain too many impurities, which makes the shaft prone to wear or breakage."

Tang Qian spoke eloquently, and Wanyan Xun seemed to understand but not quite. However, despite its many problems and flaws, in Wanyan Xun's eyes, once the secret of this lathe was revealed, it would surely become a coveted artifact that everyone would fight tooth and nail for.

Then, Wanyan Xun thought of another rather thorny question: "Did His Majesty order you to do this?"

Thinking of the imperial edict he had just seen on Tang Qian's desk, his face gradually turned cold. "Why didn't the emperor bring you back to Liaoyang City?"

In another moment of reflection, Wanyan Xun seemed to have figured out the answer himself.

Wanyan Xi went so far as to request an imperial decree to summon Tang Qian back to Youzhou and make him a staff member of the princess's mansion. According to reports from his subordinates, Tang Qian and Wanyan Xi have accomplished a great deal during this period. Now, the people of Youzhou are of one mind with the city. If Wanyan Xi were to raise her arms and call out, the people of the entire city would surely respond in unison.

The Princess's Mansion's high prestige was all thanks to Tang Qian. Wanyan Xi's complete obedience to Tang Qian clearly indicates that she has fallen deeply in love with him. This can be seen from Wanyan Xi's attitude when she first entered the city and heard that she had brought back a princess for Tang Qian.

From the moment glass became all the rage in Liaoyang, Wanyan Wuqimai knew that Tang Qian was no ordinary person, but he did not take Tang Qian away; instead, he left him in Youzhou…

"Is the Emperor planning to have Tang Qian assist Wanyan Xi in governing Youzhou City?"

Having suddenly realized this, Wanyan Xun fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

As the seventh princess of the Jin Kingdom, Wanyan Xi is deeply favored by the emperor. The city of Youzhou has now recognized her as its lord. The tens of thousands of people in the city are her source of confidence. Meanwhile, the ten thousand Youzhou soldiers under her control are stationed outside the city. Both sides have their advantages. If Tang Qian breaks off relations with Wanyan Xi, even if the Youzhou army has a chance of winning, they will likely be quickly regarded as rebels and annihilated.

Therefore, the only way to regain control of Tang Qian is through strategy, not force.

It now appears that the Princess's residence has taken the initiative. However, if the Seventh Princess can use her beauty to win over Tang Qian, so can Wanyan Xun.

Thinking of this, Wanyan Xun was extremely grateful that he had traveled thousands of miles to bring Zhao Yingluo back to Youzhou.

"The matter of the lathe needs careful consideration and cannot be rushed." Seeing that Tang Qian was still deep in thought, Wanyan Xun suddenly changed the subject, "I have brought you some good news. During the peace negotiations with the Song Dynasty, General Wanyan Xieye managed to bring back a Song Dynasty princess for you. She is now staying at your residence."

Tang Qian seemed unconcerned: "Since she is a princess of the Song Dynasty, why didn't she go to Liaoyang with the army, but instead stayed in Youzhou? What does this have to do with me?"

The Song Dynasty sought peace by sending a princess to the Jin Dynasty. Although this temporarily preserved the country, Tang Qian found it despicable. He thought it was shameful for men to use women as shields. However, he could only curse the injustice of Heaven in his heart and dared not make any rash moves.

Tang Qian is barely able to save herself right now, so she shouldn't even think about rescuing others. She's only a princess now; by the second year of the Jingkang era, the entire Zhao family's harem had been ransacked, and the imperial concubines and princesses who were kidnapped and brought to the Jin Kingdom all met tragic ends. Tang Qian couldn't possibly have any sympathy for them.

"Wait a minute." Turning around abruptly, Tang Qian's face was full of astonishment. "Does Your Highness mean that this Song Dynasty princess was a gift from the General to me?"

"Of course it's true! The letter of marriage has been brought. As long as you sign your name on it, you can marry this Princess Shunde."

Wanyan Xun was beaming, as if he were the one marrying the Song princess. Tang Qian, however, narrowed his eyes. Was this a plan to create a burden by his side, making him feel constrained in his actions? Wanyan Xun was indeed a cunning fellow.

Even though he knew that Wanyan Xun had ulterior motives, he could not go against him.

There was no other way. Being in the enemy camp, Tang Qian could only be a puppet in their hands, waiting to be squeezed dry of his last bit of value. If he didn't do as Wanyan Xun said, he might very well be killed by them.

Since he cannot be used by me, then no one else should try to get their hands on him either. This is the way of a ruthless hero. Therefore, Tang Qian had no choice but to cooperate with Wanyan Xun.