Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The Great Chu had ended its curfew two hundred years ago, but it was already close to midnight, and apart from some brothels and warehouses that still had their lights on, there were hardly any people left.

"arrive……"

Insisting on witnessing the "technological prowess" firsthand, Jiang Mengxuan followed Shen Lang to his home.

The moment she pushed open the courtyard door, Jiang Mengxuan couldn't help but nod.

Her perfect innate realm made her senses exceptionally sharp, even in the darkest of nights, allowing her to see her surroundings clearly.

Judging from the layout of the courtyard, Shen Lang is a very disciplined person and has a great understanding of how to arrange plants.

Pushing open the door and lighting the candlesticks, Jiang Mengxuan was greeted by a scene she had never seen before.

The table was covered with various model toys, all of which she had never seen before.

"What are these?"

"I make some small items when I have nothing to do, just to pass the time."

"May I take a look?"

"casual."

After Shen Lang finished speaking, he ignored her and went straight into a warehouse in the inner room to move the Gatling gun.

Jiang Mengxuan stared into deep thought as she looked at the dazzling array of "arms on display" on the table.

She carefully picked up a warship, and as soon as she touched the warship itself, she felt a cold sensation.

"Won't a ship made of iron sink?"

Despite her doubts, Jiang Mengxuan found the Dreadnought-class battleship's appearance to be extremely imposing.

I just don't know what those iron pipes on the deck are for. Could they be clothes racks?

But it doesn't quite feel like it.

With a sense of doubt, she put down the warship model and became curious about a train carriage.

"What's the use of this metal lump? It has wheels underneath, so can it move?"

She tried sliding it on the table, and it could indeed be pushed.

Jiang Mengxuan's current perception of these novel gadgets is limited to their interestingness; she hasn't yet realized that once these models are put into production, they will completely change the industrial landscape of the Taiwu Continent.

"Your Majesty, Gatling is here."

A soft call rang out from outside the door.

Jiang Mengxuan put down the heavy artillery model she had just picked up and turned to go outside into the courtyard.

"Gatling?"

When they saw Shen Lang pushing a bunch of metal pipes, they were stunned.

This is exactly the same model I saw on the table earlier, only much larger.

"Yes."

"how to use?"

Jiang Mengxuan walked around the Gatling gun and asked curiously.

Shen Lang immediately took a chain of bullets, attached the crank handle, and aimed the gun at a rockery in front of him.

"Your Majesty, is the promise you made to me truly still valid?"

"Would I really lower myself to lose face for a thousand taels of gold?"

"That's good. Your Majesty, please witness for yourself what the equality of all beings truly means."

Hearing Jiang Mengxuan's reply, Shen Lang was completely relieved and decisively shook the handle.

Da da da--

In an instant, the seven iron pipes suddenly emitted gas and sparks continuously, and the angry bullets were all poured onto the artificial hill a dozen steps away, raising clouds of debris and dust.

Jiang Mengxuan's beautiful eyes narrowed. Even with her excellent composure, she was utterly shocked by the scene before her.

After the entire chain of bullets was fired, the artificial mountain had been reduced to rubble and ruins, and the whole process took only thirty seconds.

"This, is this technology?"

Jiang Mengxuan clenched her fist, her heart filled with overwhelming excitement.

Judging from the Gatling gun's performance just now, it has already surpassed the realm of a fully-fledged Acquired Martial Artist.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is technology."

Shen Lang breathed a sigh of relief and explained to Jiang Mengxuan, "The Gatling gun has an effective range of four hundred paces."

"By imposing firepower within four hundred paces, not even a fly could get close."

"Four hundred... paces?"

Jiang Mengxuan was shocked after hearing this. The limit of an acquired martial artist's internal energy aura range was only about fifty steps.

Yet this Gatling gun can inflict such powerful damage from four hundred paces away, even though the auras of those at the Transcendent Realm and the Opening Acupoint Realm cannot extend to four hundred paces...

Looking at the still-smoking gun barrel, Jiang Mengxuan began to believe in the terrifying power of technology.

But she quickly noticed the details of Gatling.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Gatling gun's firing mechanism relies on those copper casings, right?"

As she spoke, she picked up a bullet casing from the ground and began to examine it.

"That's right, Your Majesty. Just like the repeating crossbows used in the army, once the magazine is empty, the crossbow is useless."

Furthermore, after firing three thousand rounds continuously, the Gatling gun barrel must undergo a cooling process; otherwise, it may deform or even explode.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan asked, "How many bullets were fired in total?"

"Two hundred shots."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly: "So, in such a short time, so many raw materials have been consumed?"

Shen Lang: "That's right. If it can be improved, the firing rate can be 500 rounds in 60 breaths."

Although it was expensive, compared to the lives of the soldiers, the sacrifice was absolutely worthwhile.

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly: "You misunderstood. I was just thinking about how many such weapons we would need to gain the upper hand on the battlefield."

Shen Lang: "The Gatling gun alone cannot completely dominate the battlefield situation; it also requires the cooperation of other weapons."

"You mean those things in the room?"

"almost."

Jiang Mengxuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Shen Lang, if I were to establish a Science and Technology Department and put you in full charge of research and development, would you be willing to take on the role?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately refused: "Your Majesty, I am merely a nobody and am unworthy of such a great responsibility."

I have said what I needed to say and pointed out the direction for development to Your Majesty. Whether Your Majesty adopts it or not is up to Your Majesty to decide.

Jiang Mengxuan: "Without your help, this technology would be impossible to even begin. Shen Lang, now that you have pointed out a path for Great Chu and for me, how can you just abandon it?"

"This humble servant is poor and lacks ambition, and is unable to undertake such a large-scale strategic plan. I beg Your Majesty to find another capable person."

What a joke! Do you think one person can handle developing technology in a fantasy world?

Who knows how much resistance I'll encounter? I would never do something so thankless and exhausting.

While we are not afraid of trouble, we do not want to cause trouble for no reason, even in this period of great decline in martial arts.

As for what I told you before, just listen to it and don't take it seriously, because you simply can't accomplish it in your current state.

Seeing Shen Lang's reluctance, Jiang Mengxuan's disappointment was palpable: "Shen Lang, I've heard something about you. In truth, your heart isn't with the Great Chu, is it?"

Shen Lang didn't speak, but his silence made his attitude clear.

"Ugh……"

Jiang Mengxuan sighed softly.

"Very well, since you are unwilling, I will not force you. Thank you for pointing out a clear path for me. Let's return to the palace now."

After saying that, Jiang Mengxuan walked out of the room dejectedly.

The greatest pain in life is seeing hope, but the person who can bring that hope is unwilling to put in the effort and just wants to give up, while you have no way to force them to do so.

Jiang Mengxuan felt extremely uncomfortable due to this oppressive feeling.

On their way back to the palace, the two remained silent until they arrived at Weiyang Palace.

"Shen Lang, you will stay in the palace tonight. Tomorrow, I will announce the choice of my son-in-law."

Shen Lang initially wanted to refuse, but when he saw Jiang Mengxuan's calm and composed gaze, he finally agreed.

"I humble my position and take orders."

"Well, you should go back to Huanyu Pavilion to rest first. Come to my bedchamber at dawn tomorrow."

After saying that, Jiang Mengxuan went directly to Chang Le Palace.

"call……"

Shen Lang finally breathed a sigh of relief after she left.

"Today was really tiring. After I finish this business trip, I think I'll just start a small business and enjoy my freedom."