karlmaks
Stories
7
Chapters
3,714
Words
6.7 M
Comments
24
Reading
23 d, 2 h
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As the merchant ship pierced through the morning mist, a huge and busy dock slowly came into view for Xiao Ming. This dock was none other than the Tuojiang Dock, north of Qingzhou city. From Chang’an to Qingzhou, the journey by boat took ten days and went smoothly overall. In the first half of the trip, Feiyue’er cried often, missing her parents. But in the latter half, as she grew familiar with Xiao Ming, she enjoyed the scenery and people along the way. After all, Feiyue’er was only eighteen or…-
1.3 M • Ongoing
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Advanced chapter at patreon.com/caleredhair The carriage rolled along the clean cement road with a soft clatter, heading toward the Qi Prince’s mansion. On the way, Xiao Ming explained to Fei Yue’er the difference between hot air balloons and hydrogen balloons, as well as things unique to Qingzhou like cement. Fei Yue’er was amazed and couldn’t stop smiling. Even though she was known as a talented woman in Chang’an, these new scientific ideas made her feel a little confused. The…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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Advanced chapter at patreon.com/caleredhair In the imperial study, Yang Zhen was quietly reporting to Emperor Xiao Wenxuan. When he finished, the Emperor frowned deeply. "Are you sure it was Prince Qi’s men who caught the Jin merchant?" Xiao Wenxuan asked. "Yes. We could have caught the merchant earlier, but Prince Qi’s people got there first. Our men have been following closely, and we can take the merchant back anytime the Emperor orders. But until then, we dare not act rashly and risk…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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Advanced chapter at patreon.com/caleredhair Outside the bridal chamber, Lu Luo and Ziyuan pressed their heads against the window, wearing mischievous smiles. Xiao Huan looked at them with displeasure. "Hey, how can you two eavesdrop like that?" Ziyuan curled her lips. "We’re not eavesdropping. The Princess Consort told us to record everything. How can we not listen?" Before Xiao Ming’s wedding, Consort Zhen had specially brought Ziyuan and Lu Luo into the palace and told them to keep…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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In the Jade Water Pavilion, Consort Zhen chatted warmly with Feiyue’er, often asking if she was comfortable. Xiao Ming sat watching them, quietly planning when to return to Qingzhou. Now that he was married, he saw no reason to stay longer in Chang’an. The recent assassination attempt left him with a shadow over his mind — Chang’an was unsafe. Just like every regional lord tried to avoid leaving their own territory, Xiao Ming felt the same. Once on another’s land, he couldn’t guarantee his…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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Advanced chapter at Patreon.com/caleredhair When life becomes peaceful, time seems to pass quickly. After the court ceremony and rewards, the Ministry of Rites came to Xiao Ming’s mansion to help prepare for his wedding. During this time, Xiao Ming visited relatives and friends to strengthen his connections with court officials — especially Luo Quan, Du Boyuan, Qin Rui, Zhu Yushu, and others. These were his trusted people in Chang’an who had protected him many times. Notably, when they…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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With the sound of drums and music, the imperial guards slowly marched forward. Chang’an wasn’t a big city, and the Fei family home was not far from Xiao Ming’s mansion. Walking down the straight street, Feiyue’er’s group gradually arrived at Prince Qi’s mansion. By now, most of the guests who came to congratulate and drink had already gathered. The sound of drums outside made Xiao Ming realize Feiyue’er was about to arrive. Officials from the Ministry of Rites immediately got busy. From…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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A giant hot air balloon slowly rose above the palace. Standing on the balloon, Emperor Xiao Wenxuan relaxed as he looked through a telescope over Chang’an — like a fierce tiger patrolling his territory. "Father, if you buy this balloon, you won’t regret it. It can scout and watch over the whole city from high above. And if there’s danger, you can escape by balloon. One hundred thousand taels is really cheap," Xiao Ming kept persuading. Xiao Wenxuan had already been tempted, and now Xiao Ming’s…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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At the square in front of Chengqing Hall, the ministers formed a crescent shape around Luo Xin and his group. Emperor Xiao Wenxuan and Xiao Ming stood in the middle of the formation. Xiao Wenxuan looked surprised as Luo Xin took out one long stick-like weapon after another from wooden boxes. He asked Xiao Ming, "Ming’er, are these the firearms?" "Yes, Father. These are the firearms used in the Jizhou battle. Actually, it’s quite simple — just a smaller version of a cannon," Xiao Ming…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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"Five thousand muskets?" Xiao Ming was a bit disappointed by the number, but seeing the expressions on Emperor Xiao Wenxuan and the ministers, he understood why. After all, they still doubted the effectiveness of muskets in the army — or maybe they just hated spending so much silver. In Qingzhou, Xiao Ming had often heard ministers complain about the cannon prices. Some even wanted the court to fund their own clan workshops to copy Qingzhou’s cannons. Those ministers weren’t patriotic; they just…
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1.3 M • Ongoing
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