Scumbag Chapter 166 The Reformed White-Eyed Wolf General (32)

In early March, Qi Ming excitedly came to find Mingting, saying that the ‘Si Nan’ he had mentioned before had been successfully created. (T/

In early March, Qi Ming excitedly came to find Mingting, saying that the ‘Si Nan’ he had mentioned before had been successfully created. (T/N: Si Nan is a south-pointing compass)

"You were right… by rubbing a steel needle with a natural lodestone, the needle indeed points south! It works much better than the 'south-pointing fish’!" (T/N: South-pointing fish is another type of compass, but it’s usually used for Feng Shui.)

Qi Ming had gone to the sea and tested it himself.

He was originally from Yaozhou and had spent time on ships before, so he was not seasick. Watching the compass needle sway before settling southward, Qi Ming was thrilled.

"But this isn’t the most accurate version yet."

Mingting took a piece of rush pith, threaded the compass needle through it, and placed it on water.

“By using the buoyancy of the rush pith to float on the surface, no matter how much the ship rocks at sea, the needle will remain stable on the water. This ‘floating-needle’ method is steadier and more precise."

After seeing this, Qi Ming repeatedly expressed amazement.

With the compass and the floating-needle method, ships at sea would no longer have to worry about losing their way.

The compass needle didn’t point exactly due south, as due to the magnetic declination, it slightly leaned east.

"Magistrate Qi, regarding the south-pointing fish, the compass needle, and the ‘floating-needle’ method, they must be recorded in books, even compiled into specialized texts,” Mingting said, wiping water from his hands.

“First, to pass down the knowledge. Second, written records serve as proof, letting future generations know that we could already navigate at sea in our time."

“You’re absolutely right!"

At this point, unless it was rebellion, Qi Ming supported everything Mingting did and found all his ideas reasonable. After all, Count of Dingyuan could never be wrong.

He had arrived excitedly and now hurried back just as eagerly.

A single compass needle wasn’t enough, and they needed many more. First, for military ships, and later, for Yaozhou’s merchants once the overseas trade was restored.

Before leaving, Mingting gave Qi Ming a blueprint and explained the principle of the telescope to him.

He said that with this device, it would be as if they had ‘eyes that see a thousand miles’, allowing them to spot pirate ships from afar.

Hearing this, Qi Ming grabbed the blueprint and dashed off in excitement.

[I feel like Magistrate Qi is becoming more and more of a tool…]

When Fengtian saw Qi Ming being fooled by its Boss and became a diligent worker, it couldn’t help but admire him.

‘What is this called?’

‘Once you get on the pirate ship, there’s no getting off, and you will have to say goodbye to days off forever?’

"You think just anyone can catch my eye? Once these projects yield achievements, his career will skyrocket like a firework. He’ll then get all the promotions and raises."

Mingting flicked Fengtian’s head.

If not for Qi Ming’s good character and reliability, why would he hand such merits to him?

[Boss, why don’t you claim all the credit for yourself? What’s the point of giving it all to them?]

Fengtian was puzzled.

“Are you dumb? If I were that omnipotent, wouldn’t the emperor grow wary? When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away… ever heard of that? Ever seen how the cup of wine that takes back military power plays out? How many founding generals who held military authority died peacefully?!"

Mingting had a clear mind. The Grand Marshal of the Military that Emperor Chang mentioned before was the dream of the original owner, not his.

In the last ancient world, he had won Emperor Li’s trust largely because Mingting was a scholar who couldn’t even hurt a fly and never once touched military power.

Otherwise, Emperor Li would have been just as wary of him.

In this life, Mingting would focus solely on coastal defense.

In fact, it wasn’t that hard. Just kill until the pirates and raiders trembled and were so scared that they will pee their pants when they hear the name of ‘Wei Mingting’, and the matter will be done.

The rigorous training continued.

Of the original thirty thousand soldiers, most couldn’t swim.

After practicing breath-holding for a while, they would have to take to the sea and learn swimming once summer arrived.

Mingting selected the best-performing, most water-savvy soldiers and took them out for specialized training at sea every day, leaving early and returning late… sometimes even spending nights on the water.

“Use the sun to navigate by day, the stars by night, and the compass on cloudy days."

These men were the backbone Mingting had handpicked, and he instructed them personally.

Later, these people would be assigned to smaller squads to teach the others.

From identifying directions at sea to survival skills in the ocean, from making freshwater to emergency measures when no freshwater was available…

Mingting taught everything meticulously.

They were living people, not just names or numbers. As their commander, he owed them responsibility.

However, this wasn’t enough. Mingting also planned to give them survival courses once they reached the islands.

Although Mingting is usually easygoing, he is very strict during training.

Those who mastered the knowledge and applied it well were rewarded, and those who slacked off faced military punishment… a round of beatings was unavoidable.

“The more you learn now, the more survival skills you’ll have later. My strictness is to save your lives!"

By the end of March, Qi Mingsent someone to bring a letter, asking Mingting to go back.

When Mingting arrived in Ning’an, Qi Ming excitedly announced that cement had been successfully produced.

“Look, is this it? Mixed with fine sand, coarse sand, and crushed stone, it hardens quickly and is incredibly sturdy. And the red bricks you mentioned… are these them?"

"Yes, these are red bricks."

Mingting personally mixed the cement and built a three-layer brick step.

An hour later, the cement surface dried, fixing the bricks in place, and by midday, the structure was solid.

Mingting couldn’t help but marvel, ‘Never underestimate the ancients. They were incredibly intelligent. Given the right guidance, their creativity knew no bounds.’

"Magistrate Qi, these craftsmen must be generously rewarded. In your memorial later, their contributions must also be recognized."

Mingting spoke earnestly to Qi Ming.

"Of course, that goes without saying."

Qi Ming wasn’t the type to hog credit. He had witnessed the craftsmen’s hard work firsthand, and it was only right to reward them handsomely for their tireless research.