210: Chapter 208 Times Will Always Change

When Zhang Mu hurried back to the City Lord's Manor, he suddenly remembered that Soren should be busy at the Resistance Army station outside the city at this time.

Just as he was about to turn around and head there, he ran into Palina in the front yard, who was holding Leah.

The Little Cat Girl, now in his arms, was very well-behaved. She didn't complain about Zhang Mu being out and about lately; instead, she kept rubbing her head against his chin to express her affection.

Palina was the same.

Because Zhang Mu had used an excuse to send away the First Madam and others, along with most of the servants, and didn't stay home often himself, all the internal affairs of the City Lord's Manor had fallen onto her shoulders.

The Little Cat Girl mentioned that Palina had spent much less time with her over the past few days.

Hearing Leah speak up for her, Palina didn't show any prideful or tsundere expression; she remained as usual, her face wearing a soft, gentle smile.

Although Zhang Mu didn't really care how tidy the manor was kept, he had ultimately dumped his responsibilities onto her.

Even putting that aside, just taking care of Leah every day was enough to make Zhang Mu feel apologetic.

However, wearing someone else's face while exchanging sweet words with their wife felt truly uncomfortable, so Zhang Mu simply said a stiff 'thank you'.

At this, Leah was very dissatisfied, her little hands on her hips and her face puffed up like a steamed bun.

A peaceful life is always pleasant, but Zhang Mu didn't have much spare time to linger. He tucked Leah back into Palina's arms and walked quickly out of the manor.

About an hour later, he arrived at the Resistance Army station—a village at the foot of the mountain.

Though called a village, the scale of the buildings was actually quite large.

After all, there were several thousand people; they couldn't fit in a small place. Zhang Mu had designated it as a village just to avoid drawing attention.

"One, two, one!"

Before even entering the village, Zhang Mu heard the rhythmic training slogans from within.

He quickened his pace.

The wasteland in the center of the village, originally intended for farmland, had been covered with a layer of loess to serve as a training ground.

In the center of the field, a phalanx of about a thousand men was drilling.

They weren't holding spears or wearing armor; they were simply dressed in uniform, loose-fitting, durable long-sleeved shirts and pants.

The training program, naturally, was not about swinging swords or stabbing enemies, but marching in step.

This was something Zhang Mu had specifically instructed Soren to do.

What factors influence an army's combat effectiveness?

The physique of the Soldiers, weapons and equipment, brilliant commanders, or strong logistics?

All of them.

But the most important thing is the rapid transmission of orders and efficient execution.

Within six months, Zhang Mu didn't expect to train them into Soldiers with strong individual qualities; that was basically impossible.

So, he focused on the aspect that would improve overall combat effectiveness the fastest—strict discipline.

On his way to the Resistance Army station after receiving Zhang Mu's order, even the self-proclaimed intelligent Soren couldn't understand what use there was in training neat marching steps.

But out of trust for the City Lord, he remained steadfast and implemented it perfectly.

Judging by the thousand-man phalanx whose goose-stepping was already taking shape, Soren had clearly put in a lot of effort.

Without disturbing them, Zhang Mu quietly pulled Soren, who was supervising at the edge of the field, behind a stone house nearby.

"City Lord."

"How is the progress?"

"There are 4,388 able-bodied men in the Resistance Army, and more than half have completed their gait training."

"Good. Don't let those who have learned it slack off; marching must be a long-term training item."

"Understood, City Lord."

"By the way, pick three hundred of the more flexible-minded Soldiers for me, preferably single ones."

Zhang Mu planned to place the arsenal within The World. This way, he wouldn't have to worry about the enemy discovering it, and he could bring things out anytime, anywhere, saving the trouble of transportation.

However, this meant the people manufacturing the weapons would have to live in The World for long periods, so being single was a better choice.

Soren bowed and accepted the order.

Once done, he asked if there were other training subjects after the Soldiers finished their marching drills.

Zhang Mu actually didn't know much about the military.

Things like marching were just things he had picked up through casual observation in his daily life.

Asked this by Soren, he unconsciously scratched his face. "Other things... just focus on physical fitness. "

"Well, it won't be long before the new stuff arrives."

"Understood, City Lord."

After spending some time together, Soren knew that if Zhang Mu didn't want to say something, no one could pry it out. So, despite being curious about what the 'new stuff' was, he didn't ask further.

Seeing that everything was going smoothly with the Resistance Army, Zhang Mu felt relieved and turned back toward the City Lord's Manor.

Of course, he couldn't expect to stay idle.

Soren's work efficiency was always swift, and by the afternoon, he had sent over the three hundred Soldiers who met the requirements.

Without needing to find another teacher, Zhang Mu, who had already completed his own studies, brought the three hundred Soldiers into The World and gave them seven days of lessons first.

He didn't teach profound knowledge, just things about machine tool operation and precautions during the process.

After the theory was finished, Zhang Mu led them to the independent space partitioned off for the machine tools and began the practical application.

The results were quite good.

These rough fellows, though they hadn't gone through nine years of compulsory education and barely knew a few words, were exceptionally dedicated to their learning.

Perhaps Zhang Mu's influence played a part.

From their perspective, it was Zhang Mu who had led them out of the despair of imminent defeat. Since their benefactor needed them, they had to give it their all.

Just like that, another three days passed.

The three hundred Soldiers had roughly learned the basic operation of the machine tools. Zhang Mu picked out the five fastest learners to serve as captains.

Afterward, he put Domit in charge of training the Soldiers and called Soren back to his side to handle the coordination and dispatching of materials.

Since he wanted the three hundred Soldiers to practice, the first batch of copper and iron didn't need to be large.

A day later, Soren had prepared all the refined copper and iron and transported it to the construction site outside the city. Zhang Mu, waiting there, raised his hand and stored it into The World.

Immediately, the Soldiers, who had long been eager to start, began operating the machine tools.

Some operated the master machines to create more general-purpose machine tools, while the rest were busy making guns.

Of course, they didn't know the things they were making were called guns; they referred to them as 'pitch-black tubes and exquisite parts'.

They had studied the theory and practiced with the machines, but when they actually started working, the scrap rate was still significant.

Inevitably, Zhang Mu comforted the guilt-ridden captains: "No need to feel sorry, we still have time."

Greatly moved, the captains led their subordinates to work overtime, with hours that would even make '996' workers feel dread.

The effort was not in vain.

In about seven days, they assembled the first pistol—the Desert Eagle.

City Lord's Manor, Study.

Zhang Mu sat behind the desk, fiddling with the silver Desert Eagle. "The feel is fine."

He pointed the muzzle at a vase on the bookshelf to his left and pulled the trigger.

"Bang—"

Vase fragments fell to the floor, and a transparent hole appeared in the back panel of the bookshelf.

He looked at Soren, whose eyes were slightly widened as he stood opposite him. "Find someone to spread some news for me."

"Say that the City Lord once obtained a treasure in the Labyrinth that can greatly increase the army's combat effectiveness."

"Remember to be discreet; don't let anyone know we were the ones behind it."

"Understood, City Lord."