1: Chapter 1 Where are we going?

When Li Ling woke up, only one thought crossed his mind—this pillow was digging into his neck and causing pain.

No, this isn't right, not right, not right at all.

He jerked his eyes open. Instead of the expensive memory foam pillow he had purchased, what met his gaze was a dusty, grey canopy, and the air was filled with a musty smell and the scent of old wood.

Faint sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking drifted to his ears, along with someone in the distance shouting, "Good morning, Master," at the top of their lungs.

"What is going on?" Li Ling sat up abruptly, his head banging against the bed frame with a "thud," making him wince in pain.

Memories flooded into his mind like a tidal wave.

Li Ling, twenty-six years old, chief military expert at the Huaxia Weaponry Industry Group, proficient in warship design, aerospace propulsion, missile guidance... basically the kind of person the state paid to keep, who rarely appeared in the public eye, but held core technologies that could make certain nations lose sleep.

In his last memory, he was still at the testing ground checking the engine propulsion system for a new type of hypersonic missile, and then, a flash of white light—

"Ding! Host has been bound to the 'Future Technology System,' initializing... Initialization complete. System ID: XT-1898, from the Interstellar Federation in the seventh spiral arm outside the Milky Way, it is an honor to serve you."

A cold, electronic voice rang out in his mind.

Li Ling was stunned for two seconds, then, with the calmness peculiar to a military expert, he asked his first question: "What are you?"

The system was silent for a second.

"... Host, under normal procedures, you should first be surprised, panicked, suspicious, and only then ask this question."

"I work in military industry; what strange and bizarre things haven't I seen? I've even created metamaterials. Why would I be surprised by a voice assistant in my head?" Li Ling rubbed his temples. "Get to the point."

The system was silent for another two seconds, seemingly digesting the fact that this host did not play by the rules.

"The main points are as follows: First, the host has transmigrated to the Qingxia Kingdom in the parallel universe of 1898; Second, the host's current identity is the only son of Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan, the Governor-General of the five southeastern provinces of the Qingxia Kingdom. You share the same name. Your father is responsible for the military and political defense of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi Province, and Fujian Province; Third, this system will assist the host in developing technology, military, and economy, with the ultimate goal of leading this nation to prosperity; Fourth, the existence of the system must be kept absolutely secret, and no one must know."

Li Ling listened, then remained silent for five seconds.

Then he did something that rendered all the transmigrator behavior models in the system's database invalid—he lay back down on the bed and pulled the quilt over his head.

"I'll sleep a bit more; maybe it will be better when I wake up."

"Host, this is real."

"That's what they always say in dreams."

"I can let you experience the pain perception system. Do you need that?"

"No need!"

Li Ling flung off the quilt, sat on the edge of the bed, held his head in his hands, and took three deep breaths. The psychological resilience of a military expert was evident at this moment—he was not panicking, but quickly organizing information and establishing a cognitive framework.

Parallel universe, 1898, Qingxia Kingdom, only son of a regional governor.

He searched the memories left by this body in his mind. The Qingxia Kingdom, compared to original history, occupied the position of the late Qing Dynasty, only the name had changed. The royal family was weak and incompetent, losing sovereignty and humiliating the nation, while foreign powers carved it up like a melon, and the people lived in misery. His father, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan, was the Governor-General of several southern provinces, holding 180,000 troops, but in the face of foreign powers, these 180,000 troops were barely enough for self-preservation.

As for himself—the original owner was a typical playboy, proficient in all kinds of eating, drinking, and merrymaking, but knew nothing of serious matters. Fortunately, he wasn't the type of tyrant who bullied men and oppressed women; at most, he was just spendthrift and liked to brag to people.

"So I'm a second-generation rich kid now?" Li Ling frowned.

"Strictly speaking, yes." The system's tone was calm. "But the host possesses military expertise and modern management experience that the original owner did not have, which is why this system chose you."

"System, you chose me?"

"Yes, a precise match. The host's military R&D capabilities and strategic thinking in your previous life are highly compatible with this system's technology tree."

Li Ling stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

A cold wind blew in, carrying the smell of soil and cooking smoke. Looking out, he saw a patch of low-lying residential houses, with city walls in the distance, and rolling hills further beyond. The sky was faintly bright, and early-rising vendors were setting up stalls on the street, with their shouts faintly drifting over.

1898.

This year, in original history, was the year of the Hundred Days' Reform, two years before the Boxer Rebellion, two years before the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China, and one of the darkest eras for the Chinese nation.

In this parallel universe, the situation was not much better.

Li Ling gripped the window frame tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He was not the type to get hot-headed and shout slogans. As a military expert, he knew all too well what a technological generation gap meant. The missile he had helped develop in his previous life could render a nation's air defense system useless. But in this era, he was facing a technological chasm of over a hundred years.

But wasn't bridging technological chasms his specialty?

"System," Li Ling turned around, "you mentioned a technology tree just now?"

"Yes, this system contains a complete technology tree from the end of the 19th century to the Interstellar era. Currently, technology before 1920 is unlocked, and subsequent technologies will be unlocked gradually as the host grows."

"How do I unlock them?"

"Through achievements, lucky draws, and super luxury gift packs at key development nodes. Specific rules will be explained in detail later."

Li Ling nodded, his mind already racing. Technology before 1920, what did that mean? Dreadnoughts, airplanes, tanks, radios, internal combustion engines... putting these technologies in 1898 would be a dimensional strike.

But he didn't rush to ask for this or that, instead asking a very critical question: "System, is my identity safe? If the original owner suddenly changes personality, will I be suspected?"

"The host is overthinking. The original owner was a playboy who never acted according to conventional logic. Moreover, the host has inherited all the memories and behavioral habits of the original owner, so as long as you are not too abnormal, it will not arouse suspicion. Even if someone is suspicious, your father is a regional governor; no one would dare to touch you easily."

"That's good then." Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief and then revealed a smile—a typical, playboy-style, devil-may-care smile. "Then let's begin, System. How about giving me a welcome gift first?"

"Host, this system is not a charity."

"But you are a system, the kind that comes standard with transmigrators. Wouldn't it be unreasonable not to give a newbie gift pack?"

The system was silent for three seconds, seemingly performing some kind of calculation.

"... Newbie gift pack issued: A set of basic infantry equipment blueprints, including Model 1888 Rifle blueprints, black powder formula, and production process; Small Resource Point × 1, capable of generating 100 units of basic resources (iron, coal, copper, etc.) per day. Please check."

There was a "ding" in Li Ling's mind, and then a pile of data and blueprints appeared in his memory like a downloaded file.

He closed his eyes to feel it; the details of those blueprints were incredibly clear, even down to how to arrange the production line and what tools were needed, all clearly marked.

The Model 1888 Rifle, a German design, fired 7.92mm bullets and was magazine-fed; it was vastly superior to the muzzle-loading guns used by the Qingxia Kingdom army of this era.

But Li Ling was not satisfied.

"Just this?" He frowned. "System, you're giving me a design from eight years ago by the Germans? At least give me a Mauser 98, or if nothing else, a Lee-Enfield would have worked too."

"Host, the technology tree needs to be unlocked gradually. The Model 1888 is already an advanced weapon for the current era; the Qingxia Kingdom army is still using muzzle-loaders."

"I know, but I've read countless transmigrator novels. Other people's systems start them off with Gatling guns, and you're giving me a Model 1888?"

"Host, this system focuses on realism and sustainable development, it is not a 'power fantasy' system."

"You said just now that you came from the Interstellar era?"

"Yes."

"And you give me this?" Li Ling's voice raised half a pitch. "You're an Interstellar era system, and you only give me a late 19th-century rifle blueprint? Are you not ashamed to say you're from the future?"

The system was silent again.

Li Ling keenly sensed that the system's silence seemed to carry a hint of... embarrassment?

"Host, unlocking the technology tree requires gradual progress; these are the rules."

"Rules are dead, but people are alive." Li Ling changed his tone, with a hint of ingratiation. "Big Brother System, I know you definitely have good stuff, why don't you give me a little more? Look at what an outstanding talent I am; if the stuff you give is too shabby, it won't look good on your reputation if it gets out, right?"

"The system has no reputation."

"Then you have substance, right? Give me some substance?"

"..."

"Just giving more resources would be fine too. What can 100 units of resources a day do? It'll be gone after making a few guns. Why don't you give me 1000 units a day?"

"No, the rules do not allow it."

"Rules, rules, all you know is rules." Li Ling sighed, looking heartbroken. "Let me tell you, you won't have any friends acting like this."

"The system does not need friends."

"You do! You're just staying in someone's head all by yourself, without even a person to talk to—how lonely that must be. I'm your only host, and we're going to be together for decades. Can't you be a bit more generous?"

A long silence.

Just when Li Ling thought the system was going to play dead, the cold electronic voice rang out again.

"... Newbie gift pack additionally added: A set of ammunition production line blueprints, basic resource points increased to 300 units/day. This is the limit, host, do not bargain any further."

Li Ling smiled, a very bright smile.

"Fine, that's enough, that's enough. System, you're really generous. I take back what I said about you being stingy."

"Host, this system can perceive your psychological activities."

"... Then pretend I didn't say anything."

Li Ling turned his head to look out the window; the sky was already bright. Footsteps came from afar; it should be the maid coming to deliver washing supplies. He took a deep breath, suppressed the distracting thoughts about the system in his mind, and began to think about serious matters.

Father, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan, had 180,000 troops, barely enough to protect themselves.

This assessment was quite interesting—barely enough to protect themselves meant they weren't incapable of fighting, but they couldn't defeat the regular armies of the Great Powers. Outdated equipment, insufficient training, and obsolete tactics were the common ailments of the late Qing army. However, in the parallel universe of the Qingxia Kingdom, the situation might be slightly different; after all, this was a "comparison" rather than "complete equivalence."

Li Ling needed to figure out the situation first.

He called for the maid to wash up and change clothes, and then ate an authentic Qingxia Kingdom breakfast—millet porridge with pickled vegetables, plus two white steamed buns. The taste was not bad, better than the boxed lunches at the testing ground in his past life.

After finishing breakfast, he had the servants prepare a horse, preparing to go to the military camp to take a look.

Although the original owner was a playboy, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan still had high hopes for this only son, giving him the title of Military Advisor—to put it bluntly, it was a sinecure, just a name on paper. But now that Li Ling was here, this sinecure could be put to use.

Riding a horse through the streets, Li Ling carefully observed this important southern town.

The streets were reasonably wide, with shops with blue bricks and grey tiles on both sides, selling cloth, grain, and general merchandise, all sorts of things. Pedestrians were dressed differently; there were scholars in long gowns, laborers in short jackets, and compradors in Western clothing. Occasionally, one could see a few foreigners walking by with their noses in the air, while the people around them dodged away.

Li Ling's expression was calm, but he was noting every detail in his heart.

Population size, commercial activity, infrastructure, and public security—these were the foundations of a city, and also the basis for his future development.

Walking to the city gate, he saw a squad of soldiers changing shifts.

These soldiers wore blue-grey uniforms and carried old-fashioned muzzle-loading rifles. The formation was fairly neat, but their spirit was clearly lacking. A few soldiers were sallow and emaciated, barely able to stand steady. The officer leading the team was a sturdy man, with a revolver tucked into his waist, looking somewhat decent.

Li Ling reined in his horse and took a look.

"Is this my father's army?" he asked the system in his mind.

"Yes, this is the garrison force of the 18th Battalion under Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan. Equipment: Muzzle-loading rifles, a few officers are equipped with revolvers. Training level: Low. Morale: Low-to-medium."

"Is there more detailed data?"

"The host needs to make close contact to obtain it."

Li Ling nodded, dismounted, and walked toward the officer.

When the officer saw Li Ling, he was stunned at first, then quickly stood at attention and saluted: "Young General!"

What was the original owner's rank again? Oh right, Military Advisor, Fourth Rank, which was considered a mid-level officer in their system.

"At ease, at ease," Li Ling waved his hand, putting on the air of a second-generation rich kid, "Where is your battalion commander?"

"Battalion Commander Zhang Dabiao is in the camp. Does the Young General want to find the battalion commander?"

"Yes, take me to see him."

The officer dared not delay and quickly led the way. Li Ling followed him into the military camp, observing as he walked.

The military camp covered a considerable area, but the facilities were rudimentary. The soldiers lived in adobe houses, and the ground was extremely muddy. There were several squads of soldiers drilling on the parade ground; their movements were stiff, and their commands were not loud enough. There were dozens of rifles in the armory; Li Ling glanced at them, and the barrels were all rusted.

He sighed in his heart, but his face remained calm.

Finding Battalion Commander Zhang Dabiao, Li Ling asked a few simple questions about military affairs, then proposed to see the troops perform live-fire practice.

Zhang Dabiao was a rough man and didn't think much of this playboy Young General, but out of respect for Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan, he complied.

The result of the live-fire practice was appalling.

At the thirty-meter target, six out of ten people missed the target, and the remaining four only hit the edge of the target. The loading speed was so slow that it was frustrating; being able to fire two rounds a minute was considered fast.

After watching, Li Ling had no expression on his face and turned to leave.

He already had an intuitive understanding of the level of the army in this era.

Returning to the Governor's Mansion, Li Ling went straight to find his father, Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with a sturdy build, a square face, a short beard, and a pair of sharp, tiger-like eyes. He was sitting in the study reviewing official documents. Seeing his son come in, he put down his pen and looked him over.

"What made you think of visiting me today?"

"Father, I went to the military camp to look around today." Li Ling didn't stand on ceremony and plopped down into a chair.

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Since when have you been interested in the military camp?"

"I've always been interested, just never looked seriously before." Li Ling said solemnly, his tone much more serious than usual, "Father, our troops are not good enough."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was stunned for a moment, then smiled, but there was bitterness in that smile.

"I know they aren't, but what can I do? The Imperial Court doesn't provide money, the Great Powers don't provide technology. With just these 180,000 men, it's good enough that we can hold onto this little plot of land."

"What if I said I could make our troops stronger?"

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan looked at his son, his eyes becoming sharp.

"What kind of scheme are you trying to pull now?"

"I'm not pulling a scheme, I'm serious." Li Ling took a piece of paper from his bosom, on which was the structural sketch of the Model 1888 Rifle he had drawn last night, "Father, take a look at this."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan took the paper, glanced at it, and frowned.

"This is... a rifle?"

"Yes, a new type of rifle from the Germans, magazine-fed, with a rate of fire more than five times that of the muzzle-loading rifles we use now. If our troops can be equipped with this kind of rifle, combined with new training, let alone self-protection, even expanding outward wouldn't be a problem."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stared at the drawing for a long time, then looked up at his son.

"Where did you get this thing?"

"I know a foreign friend who works in technology; he gave it to me." Li Ling had already thought of an excuse, "Father, don't worry about where I got it; just tell me, is this thing useful?"

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan was silent for a moment.

"It is useful, but I need to verify it."

"That's fine. I have a place at my estate outside the city where I can produce a few samples. If the verification is successful, we can start small-batch production and equip the elite troops first."

"Are you sure?"

"Seventy percent."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stared at his son for ten seconds, then nodded slowly.

"Fine, go ahead and try. But don't make too much noise; the Great Powers are all watching us now. If they find out you are developing a new type of rifle, there will be big trouble."

"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

Li Ling got up to leave. When he reached the door, he turned back and said: "Father, I can make our army very strong, stronger than the Great Powers. Do you believe me?"

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan looked at his son without speaking, but there was a glimmer of light in his eyes that had never been there before.

Returning to his own courtyard, Li Ling closed the door and called the system in his mind.

"System, how was my performance today?"

"The host's performance exceeded expectations. Through field observation, you obtained first-hand data on the Qingxia Kingdom's army and successfully persuaded your father to support the research and development of the new rifle, gaining the achievement 'Initial Knowledge of Military Affairs.' Achievement reward: One lucky draw opportunity."

"There's such a good thing?" Li Ling was happy, "Draw!"

"Drawing... Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Small Production Base × 1. This base is located underground at the host's estate outside the city. It can produce rifles and ammunition, with resource input only 1/30 of normal production, and production speed 30 times faster than normal. The Production Base has been manifested; please go and check it."

Li Ling almost jumped up.

A Production Base! This was exactly what he wanted! Any Model 1888 Rifle drawings were just appetizers; the Production Base was the real cheat code!

"System, I love you to death!"

"Host, please maintain your dignity."

"Let's go, let's go to the estate and take a look!"

Li Ling didn't say another word, rode his horse straight to the estate outside the city.

That was a property under the original owner's name, covering dozens of acres, with a large courtyard and surrounding farmland, very secluded. After Li Ling arrived, following the system's prompts, he found a hidden door next to the well in the courtyard.

Pushing open the hidden door, there was a staircase leading downwards.

He walked down, lit the oil lamp on the wall, and then stood there stunned.

Underground was a huge space, as large as two basketball courts, filled with various machine tools, smelting furnaces, and assembly lines, all operating automatically. More than a dozen expressionless "workers" were busy; seeing Li Ling come in, they all stopped their work and bowed in greeting.

"These are the staff manifested by the system; they completely obey the host's orders and will not leak any secrets." The system explained.

Li Ling walked around the base, getting more excited the more he saw.

This was no small Production Base; this was clearly a miniature version of a modern arsenal! Although it could only produce rifles and ammunition, in 1898, this was already a dimension-reduction strike level existence.

"System, how many rifles can this base produce in a day?"

"At full capacity, it can produce 100 Model 1888 Rifles and 5,000 rounds of supporting ammunition per day. The resource input is 1/30 of normal production, meaning the resource cost consumed per rifle is equivalent to about 3 jin of iron."

"100 per day, that's 3,000 per month, 36,000 per year." Li Ling calculated quickly, "Enough, completely enough."

He stood in the middle of the Production Base, hands on his hips, and laughed up at the sky.

"1898, I'm coming! Great Powers, right? Japan, right? Wait until I develop, and you'll see what happens!"

The system added gloomily: "Host, please watch your image; you are laughing like a villain right now."

"I am the villain, so what? To deal with these robbers, if you don't act like a villain, do you expect me to act like a saint?"

The system did not speak again, but Li Ling vaguely felt that the system seemed... quite satisfied.