Zhang Yuanwai wasn't talking about ordinary weapons like bows, crossbows, or spears when he said "high-quality arms."
He meant firearms.
"If we could mount a few cannons right here on Qiachuan Dock Fortress," Zhang Yuanwai said, rubbing his hands eagerly, "and equip fifty or a hundred musketeers, I swear—the next time bandits come raiding, I wouldn't even need you, Brother Bai. I'd have them running like rats before the first cannon finished smoking!"
Bai Yuan flipped open his folding fan with a snap. On it were written two bold characters: "Gentleman's Virtue." He grinned slyly. "You want firearms, eh?"
"I do! Very much so!" Zhang Yuanwai replied without hesitation.
Bai Yuan chuckled. "Well, that's not really up to me."
Zhang Yuanwai blinked. "What? Not even you? Brother Bai, you're one of the most influential figures in Gaojia Village!"
"Haha," Bai Yuan laughed. "When it comes to firearms, only Dao Xuan Tianzun has the final say."
"…"
Bai Yuan's tone suddenly grew solemn. "As the Tianzun himself once said: 'Firearms are instruments of destruction. From the day they were created, their only purpose has been to kill more efficiently. In the hands of the righteous, they can save the innocent—but in the hands of the wicked, they can destroy the entire world.'"
Zhang Yuanwai gasped.
"So before one can wield firearms," Bai Yuan continued, "one must first possess virtue."
Zhang Yuanwai's eyes widened with realization. "Ah—I see! You mean those three great disciplines and eight points of attention you've been making my men study?"
Bai Yuan smiled. "Exactly. Your militia is only beginning to learn. Until they truly embody those rules—until they become a disciplined force, sons of the people rather than a mob—there will be no guns. Once they reach that point, Gaojia Village will naturally provide them with arms."
Zhang Yuanwai nodded firmly. "Good! A clear goal makes the work easier. Brother Bai, just wait—I'll drill them till they could pass for saints!"
The two were still talking when Bai Yuan suddenly felt a strange tingle. He looked up—and there it was: a low, thick cloud floating above their heads. His eyes widened in delight. "Ah! The Tianzun is here!"
"What? Where?" Zhang Yuanwai craned his neck, finding nothing unusual.
Bai Yuan quickly bowed to the heavens. "I hadn't noticed your divine presence before, Tianzun. My manners were lacking. Please—consider that bow erased!"
The cloud split open, and a great sheet of glowing paper unfurled in the sky. Words appeared upon it:
"It's fine. I'm just here for a casual look."
Zhang Yuanwai froze, jaw slack. So the Tianzun really was there—right above their heads, words blazing across the sky. He immediately dropped to his knees.
Bai Yuan sighed. "Up, up! The Tianzun dislikes all this kneeling nonsense. Too time-consuming. Speak concisely—he's a busy deity."
Zhang Yuanwai scrambled up obediently.
Bai Yuan faced the glowing words. "Reporting to the Tianzun: as per your instructions, I've overseen the construction of the fortress at Qiachuan Dock. The cement fort was completed ten days ago, and the militia from Heyang County is now stationed within. I've also transferred veteran soldiers from Gaojia Village to train them daily in the three disciplines and eight attentions. Only after their quality improves will they be armed."
New words appeared across the sky:
"Excellent work. With you there, I'm at ease."
Even a scholar like Bai Yuan couldn't hide his grin at that divine praise.
Then Dao Xuan Tianzun's words continued:
"Since you've now established a foothold on the Yellow River, I'll grant you a new gift—a fine ship."
"A ship?" Zhang Yuanwai blinked. "Does the Tianzun mean… a fishing boat?"
It wasn't a silly guess. Everything the Tianzun had bestowed so far—rain, flour, roads—had been tied to improving productivity. Naturally, Zhang thought of fish and livelihood.
But Bai Yuan's gaze drifted to the battered little fishing boats tied at the dock. The fishermen there were doing fine; droughts hadn't troubled those who lived by the river. So… why another boat?
A realization struck him. His eyes lit up.
Could it be… a warship?
Before he could voice it, the sky itself opened. From the clouds, an enormous hull began to descend—slowly, majestically.
It was massive. Far larger than anything the Tianzun had ever sent down before.
Even from a distance, Bai Yuan could tell: at least ten zhang long—over thirty meters. On an inland river like the Yellow, that was colossal.
The villagers and militiamen below stared, dumbstruck. Fishermen screamed in disbelief:
"What's that? A… a ship? A huge ship falling from the sky!"
"The Tianzun is performing a miracle!"
With a mighty splash, the vessel hit the water, sending great waves rolling outward. Dao Xuan Tianzun, watching through his divine instrument, guided the ship with a gloved hand, nudging it gently until it drifted neatly to the dock.
The smaller boats rocked violently in the wake, but their seasoned fishermen kept balance easily—they'd wrestled with the Yellow River's temper all their lives.
Now, they could only gape in awe.
Before them floated a ten-zhang-long wooden behemoth, towering masts and cabin decks gleaming in the sunlight. Along its sides—rows of gleaming cannons, a dozen or more.
They nearly dropped to their knees.
Zhang Yuanwai's jaw hung open wide enough to fit a duck egg. Only moments ago he'd been begging Bai Yuan for a few cannons—and now? A ship descended from heaven armed with a full battery!
Good heavens!
(Of course, had he known those cannons were purely decorative, he might've died of heartbreak.)
Everyone else looked ready to burst into tears of joy. Only Bai Yuan frowned, tilting his head thoughtfully. After a long silence, he murmured, "Something's not right with this ship."
Zhang Yuanwai blinked. "What's wrong? It's enormous! Magnificent! What could possibly be wrong?"
Bai Yuan's expression turned grave. "Look carefully. The ship's wood is bare—it isn't painted in the sacred 'Tianzun colors.' This… this isn't his usual style. Could this be some divine message?"
Dao Xuan Tianzun: "…"
Zhang Yuanwai: "…"
Then Bai Yuan's eyes lit up as if struck by lightning. "Ah! I see it now! The Tianzun is teaching us to finish the task ourselves—to paint it in glorious colors, to show our devotion through our own hands!"