Chapter 260: Five Oceans Festival
Inside the Naval Academy, the tall and straight Liu Haoxing was reviewing the new school’s courses—to determine if he could withstand them at his age.
The Naval Academy’s current main courses are mainly physical training, ocean geography, world humanities, and six dialects.
Zhen Han once unified the entire landmass and carried out cultural unification; so the India Peninsula (coastal cities) and Arabia (secular city-states) both established record systems using square characters. But the accents of Sinologists in these two places are vastly different from the standard pronunciation of the Celestial Dynasty, not to mention the Shu accent on Dian Continent. Xuan Chong: Eastern Shu dialect is comparable to Wenzhou dialect.
Compared to the sports student atmosphere in the Army Academy, the Naval Academy is a bit more scholarly.
From the memories of his previous body Liu Haoxing, Xuan Chong knew that on the Army side, there were only four culture classes per week; after field training ended, they would start cuju and discuss which tavern to go to for fun.
Now that he had entered the Navy, he discovered this dense arrangement of courses, one exam after another, with about thirty percent of the people wearing glasses. After enrolling, Xuan Chong looked around and saw all refined junior students.
Six days after enrollment, Xuan Chong found that the Navy courses were quite difficult, tough for a thirteen-year-old child, but just right for him as a “transmigrator”.
Xuan Chong majored in navigation classes. One question: Various data from the star tracker laid out, students must calculate the latitude and longitude within ten minutes. This made many newly enrolled trainees, a few years older than Liu Haoxing, scratch their heads.
When doing such questions, Xuan Chong memorized the full fourteen-page data table, so he could calculate directly with the pen tip without looking up the table.
After calculating more, he could do it without a pen, just mental calculation.—Xuan Chong explained: This isn’t any math talent; it’s just getting familiar with a table after thousands of repetitions.
The Naval Academy’s strict teachers, after confirming that “Liu Haoxing” had no issues with mathematics, softened their attitude and used “Liu Haoxing” as a whip to beat those unlucky ones.
The teacher wearing a sea soul shirt (long gown): “Look at him! Younger than you all, he can calculate clearly; you’ve put your minds on dogs?”
Receiving such public praise, Xuan Chong felt a bit “ashamed”; he had actually cheated.
Xuan Chong directly used the “pencil case tool”‘s drawing function to create a sighting and mapping tool spanning five kilometers; the knob’s scale on it was quite precise. Through multiple measurements, each measurement narrowed the circle precisely once. Basically, three measurements could lock the result.
Whenever encountering such questions, he directly unfolded this “calculation system” only he could see and read the values.
Just as Xuan Chong worried that being called out by the teacher to lecture other classmates might make him a target for not fitting in.
A few days later, Xuan Chong realized he was overthinking; fitting in on the Navy side was different from the Army side.
Due to being very good at calculations, in the Naval Academy group cooperation, Xuan Chong was pulled in because of this specialty.
When these classmates praised Liu Haoxing: “Little brother has talent in mathematics!” and indirectly tried to find out if Xuan Chong’s family elder was an accountant in some ticket office.
Xuan Chong smiled bitterly, because it was just like how white guys in his previous life thought East Asians were good at math. Oh, what talent in math? It was just sea-of-questions tactics sitting at the desk—plus white guys doping their brains numb.
…Six months later, waves calm…
“Today is Five Oceans Festival, everyone wear formal attire this morning!” After class ended, the colonel-ranked instructor dropped this line to everyone.
And then everyone started preparing.
“Five Oceans Festival” is the Current Han Navy’s founding holiday, the sacrificial day before Taizong launched the dynasty’s large fleet to sea; those three sea voyages allowed Current Han to reclaim the southern peninsula areas, incorporating Giaochi, Myanmar, Thailand regions back into the territory.
Xuan Chong and many classmates rummaged out their formal attire from the storage point; Xuan Chong thought to himself: “In any case, it’s a solemn day; just follow the crowd.”
Here it referenced the old pawnshop model: storing cotton clothes in spring, redeeming in winter, equivalent to renting cotton clothes. Han Army formal attire had gold and silver thread patterns, very expensive; many students naturally couldn’t afford to buy, so they paid a deposit to retrieve from storage.
Xuan Chong’s class belonged to the reserve officer group, all to wear brocade formal attire. The formal attire was embroidered with azure scale patterns, the tail of the Eastern Azure Dragon. Current Han’s Son of Heaven once claimed every warship was a dragon scale of the dynasty, so Navy reserves were allowed such formal attire. As for why just the dragon tail?—Only the Emperor has the full dragon; giving Navy generals a scale or claw was already heavenly grace.
By the way, next to the Navy Academy was the Sailor Academy. Sailor Academy was a crash course, all in-school courses totaling three months, then ship internship. Sailor Academy had no single dorms, all double-decker large barracks.
They wore blue cloth clothes, two symmetric chest pockets like crab claws. Eight functional pockets on the sides like shrimp and crab’s eight legs, commonly known as shrimp soldiers and crab generals.
Liu Haoxing’s cohort, students were either nobles or elite poor family scholars; fleet command required brains and upper resources.
Those one-in-ten-thousand poor family scholar-selected brains went without saying; what were upper resources?
Fleet maintenance and operation needed shipyards, docks, complex industry! In short, piling up a system.—Current Han imperialism’s bureaucratic system, how to supervise and ensure such a military strength gathering vast resources, complex supply chain without errors top to bottom?!
Current Han founding Emperor gave the standard answer: Stuff nobles into the Navy ships.
Stuffing nobles into Army was the root of all evil, because Army easily slacks; without war, during long-term garrison, who could see one swimming naked?
But on Navy ships, nobles knew if the ship underfoot sank, they were gone, no donkey cart to escape. So even nobles retiring from frontlines, back at military school selecting newcomers, focused on skills and tactics; even if their own disciples lacked ability, they’d pressure those boasting status to bow to technical posts.
And Navy had no issue of not going to sea, just collecting military pay.
Navy’s existence was to maintain hegemony, and hegemony required demanding filial piety from everywhere. And due to nobles’ energy, in this century’s Navy, from sail to iron-ribbed wooden hulls, to battleships, resources arrived steadily.
Outside, Sailor Academy recruited from broader sources, as long as loyalty guaranteed! Interestingly, these days’ “loyalty dog-slaughtering sorts” were valuable to the Imperial Court.
…Dragon coils Indigo Ocean, shrimp and crab peck sand…
Three months after enrollment, Xuan Chong witnessed those sailors, some sailors’ martial arts clashes in the grand competition quite exciting. One sailor chief flung a rope from the dock to the ship, then like tightrope walking, reached the gunwale in three breaths. Obviously all had internal energy.
At first Xuan Chong understood it this way: Warships as high-value equipment, some internal facilities’ access comparable to inner palace defenses. Needed to recruit gang disciples for cooperation.
In the Martial World, many xia violated bans with martial arts, sometimes holding two broomhandle Mausers, flying eaves and walls into warship interiors, single-handedly tearing ghosts, martyr-exploding a warship—that’d be embarrassing.
So elite sailors emphasized physical ability and sea combat. When necessary, boarding jumps.
During Taizong’s reign, the assembled fleet going west recruited the then-coastal “Giant Whale Gang”. So calculated, the Imperial Court maintaining this “employment relation” was historically long. Similar to Qing dynasty grain transport, used so long that later Brine Gang nearly became an unwieldy state-owned enterprise, millions of barge workers’ livelihoods dependent.
Above was Xuan Chong’s conjecture based on previous life’s “Ming and Qing” knowledge, but later Xuan Chong realized he was superficial. Sea merchants hadn’t reached the level he imagined.
Navy and Giant Whale Gang, Sea Sand Gang, Swimming Dragon Society these gangs’ cooperation, root cause was military-merchant collusion.
If really saying “need”, Current Han dynasty’s need for gangs was “ten percent”; then local gangs’ need for the Imperial Court’s Navy was “ninety percent”.
How was the loyalty of these gang-originated sailors?
If loyal, officials would back them, their Navy connections made things convenient; if disloyal, rebelled, the bill went to the gang, and gang’s family law arrived before national law.
As for the current Imperial Court’s remaining “ten percent” need, it was because imperial power in lower counties had details it couldn’t cover. Needed these gangs, when contacting three teachings nine streams, to emphasize “heaven, earth, sovereign, kin, teacher”‘s importance.
Because government offices lacked enough grassroots manpower to investigate every person’s reliability; but gangs internally knew everyone’s origins clearly. Gangs had guarantors, big brothers, recommending to Navy as sailors were all clean backgrounds. Gangs helped Imperial Court mobilize reliable people from villages at lowest cost.
Xuan Chong’s previous life’s “Heavenly Court” needed “zero percent” from below “Black Wind Stronghold”.
Every mound had a mountain god, every stream a river god. Unregistered little demons daily self-proclaimed kings, local mountain god smiles; once mountain god changes term, doesn’t want to smile, you little demon wisely disband yourself.
So many bosses, after big shots above retired, due to unweighable matters on them possibly dug up by new officials, hurriedly fled.
Overall, with era development, “Heavenly Court”‘s power gradually strengthened; Current Han though not as previous life, in southeast coastal affluent control, absolutely no tolerance for “demon kings” stirring winds and waves.
On this Hangzhou port bustling streets, everything orderly, and in this orderly dark side, Martial World first discussed “wealth” then “boldness”.
In this century’s Industrial Revolution, many gangs transformed; e.g., contemporary Tang Sect transformed to “automobile” manufacturing, machining.
Right, after Xuan Chong first saw that “Wuling” trademark, he thought he’d transmigrated, but learned it was Tang Sect’s “Carriage Hall” registered trademark.
…Details on Martial World ecology…
As for Giant Whale Gang, like most gangs, went underground, became guild. In Qianjiang coastal shipping, forty percent capital operations by them.
They no longer recruited thugs to occupy fish markets collecting protection fees; but if small gangs acted tough towards them—Xuan Chong heard from old classmates upon arrival such a case: A few years ago, some fish-selling risen small gang wanted to seize a fish market, didn’t know rules, flipped several individual vendors’ stalls. Then arrogantly flipped an old man’s stall.
Old senior said this with serious expression: “Next day, blocked by a group of retired sailors, beaten badly; then government office intervened.”
Fight ruthlessly? Small gang dared beat retired old sailors, then legitimately suppressed, let alone couldn’t win.
Said Giant Whale Gang called two old sailors, but from elsewhere mobilized youths several times or ten times the small gang’s number.
In such conflict, bullying one without official status, even if beaten to death, local officials would report as “mutual brawl”.
Xuan Chong puzzled: “Small gangs can’t turn over, Martial World is big fish eat small fish?”
Old senior: Not necessarily, unless small gang contacts a very powerful martial “lone ranger”, and gets him to act, Giant Whale Gang would give some face.
Lone ranger offending, can retreat unscathed by skill, if no same-level expert watching him, is lawless madman.
Offending lone rangers often choose identity change fleeing elsewhere, before next revealing Martial World name. No one knows who he is.
But if experts watching him, lone ranger after offense, fleeing several provinces can’t shake their tight stare. Lone ranger in flight can’t take trains, can’t pass hubs, while experts relay, until lone ranger finally arrested.
Thus, major gangs generally don’t provoke lone rangers, but not fully yield; just pull out enshrined masters, lone ranger after two moves, finds own skill inferior, casually says won’t meddle.
But saying this, old senior sighed: “In nearly century, lone rangers single-handedly forcing back big forces’ nurtured experts, fewer and fewer! Knight-errant path increasingly ethereal.”
First, Giant Whale Gang (shipbuilding industry) Tang Sect (machinery industry) Chang Le Society (mining labor) these old-brand gang forces accumulated massive funds in early Industrial Revolution. Poor in culture rich in martial, stabilized this century, also inherited some “martial arts”.
Secondly, these days fewer brainless hot-blooded great xia; first-rate martialists render service to Emperor’s house, next join military battlefield for fame, worst is undisciplined messing around.
Senior pointed at worn tabloid fringe, that famed “Jiangnan Little Divine Dragon” Lu Changfeng young hero; this guy walked Martial World two years ago, vanished after fame.
Xuan Chong associated: Dongtu that instructor, as Hua Shan Sect disciple, early years standard hothead, set up by small gang, had to act, after offense, nowhere to hide came to Dongtu.
Xuan Chong once again firmed belief: So yeah, Martial World? This thing, full of deceit, hypocritical pleasantries, an honest person like me absolutely shouldn’t deal with such people.
…Hearing wind…
Xuan Chong again took ruler, drew a thousand straight lines in front, forming “sound-sensing array” like strings.
Strings can sound, also vibrate to sound, hence this sound wave sensing structure; Xuan Chong then pushed this sound grid to neighboring Sailor Academy 1344.54m away to perceive.
Casually took ruler, made a long solid line, giving himself target lens. Xuan Chong: “Tsk tsk, now audio-video sync.”
So how to use supernatural ability? Directly bullying too lame. And too bullying seen by same-level big shots, bad. So in places others can’t see, acquiring useful info, is kingly way.
Two sailors playing finger tug-of-war on table, common tavern mini-game: Table with a card, each uses one finger, see who pulls card to own side. Card iron, not easy break, rollers underneath.
“Hey hey hey, heard? This time performing is Heavenly Sound Group!”
Two vigorous young sailors competing while talking.
“Know, know, your favorite ‘Tianyi sister’ hosting this sacrificial elegant music.
“You know? Tianyi miss’s father is third rank guerrilla general!”
“Real or fake?”
Meanwhile, Xuan Chong measuring their tug-of-war muscle torque distribution. Xuan Chong mapped torque output from arms to feet movements. Also found both used internal energy subtly when talking beauties.
As for their mentioned “Tianyi miss”, in this era, Xuan Chong self-proclaimed understanding ritual law, disdained it.
Even palace musicians were still musicians. True high-door misses learned what court acknowledged women should: either “divining heaven” (weather forecast), or in sericulture department leading crop breeding.
As for “musicians” flaunting in streets, often chased by marketplace for looks. In true temple-entering big shots’ eyes, just performers.
Zhen Han Neo-Confucianism master had this line: Women with beauty as virtue, hard to nurture character. Before it: Men rise in anger act, don’t give heavy implements (can’t achieve great, can’t let hold heavy implements).
Xuan Chong guessed: “That Tianyi, if really guerrilla general’s daughter, should be born to a concubine.”
As first red dynasty’s only child generation, Xuan Chong had undisguised malice towards literature and arts. Towards math physics chemistry engineering, near-fanatical obsession.
…Wei School has art students…
In the orchestra, Qin Tianyi conducted chime bells rhythm, carefully tuning each chime’s timbre; she lifted sleeve, silk extending like spirit snake pulling chimes, controlling “gong shang jue zhi yu”.
Five Oceans Festival’s ritual music part fell on her shoulders. Her pursued music effect had indicators outsiders didn’t know, but elements masses sensitive to.
Before film animation media development, music bore guiding individual emotion, spirit, towards society’s grand will.
Sacrificial music very solemn, leisurely serious. Chime bells light opening, then long horns sound, then various metal crisp strikes, like army entering. Giving sense of being in “collective will”.
Worth mentioning, Xuan Chong’s previous life Xinluo and port city had no such music.
So-called pop culture tunes full fast tempo, only feel youth squandering youth hype, or solitary sorrow sadness. Just venting “today’s brilliance” “tonight’s gloom”. No narrative of will long-term cultivating.
Because those places’ cultures incomplete. Like many islands colonized by Britain and France, local native cultures largely destroyed, so later hearing Yue, Min dialects, can’t think solemn concept. (Music rec: Jin Chun Wu, Min dialect)
What is ritual music? Joyful without lust, mournful without injury.
Ritual music’s core purpose “lead” not pander “desire”, core to make individual audiences carry out civilization’s will.
A country without corresponding ritual music, to some extent, can’t gather enough solemnity to define a national-level big event.
And then Xinluo, port district pop culture prevalent same period Japan’s music instead had sufficiently grand tunes, showing ritual music style; see, seizing classics really studied.
…Classroom is diverse…
Qin Tianyi in plain clothes minutely adjusted timbre. Not just analyzing music melody, but bringing in masses listening emotion changes.
In 26th century, timbre guiding group emotion had detailed scientific system.
26th century had more advanced “memory planning” means for human emotion syncing.
As “art student” Qin Tianyi tried in ancient world, how use “music” make this era’s people ocean concept cognition sync! Had to grasp points, awaken common memory.
Five Oceans Festival participants merchants, sailors, Navy, but all seaside grown. Their common memory awakened by sea waves, steamboat whistles, sails, ship anchors sounds.
These “sounds” “fixed memory points”, ritual music when played, these timbre inserts awaken this land’s different strata, ages towards center.
Qin Tianyi this classroom self-chosen first subquestion: I want to play most powerful ritual music.
This, Xuan Chong era’s generation completely didn’t understand. Pickled in engineering Xuan someone would sneer “music, music, worth several divisions?”
Actually ritual music quite powerful tech; pushing back century from Xuan Chong era, whether defending Yellow River, city ballads, or Songhua River, all under “through common memory, emotion sync” concept, top spirit armament.
This ancient civilization in tech fully backward trough period. Showed bottom-box heritage.
Hence in civilization decline near curtain call, completed other civilization systems undared “blood tax” payment, remade universe.
Time flies, information era after; universe not lacking populations breaking hundred million, culturally unique states, tribes. But those vast populations couldn’t gather to pay blood tax, under “freedom eagle”‘s bombs and electronic surveillance guns were slave breeds.
Slave breeds by selling blood, organs, supported “knife joy” this increasingly detached actual production green paper value.
Because heroic rebellion, remembering sacrifice, for these barbarian races, still too hard.
Qin Tianyi immersed in ritual music’s behind “spirit awakening”, body showed faint optical flow. Obviously, she also using “awakening” supernatural ability power.
Qin Tianyi’s cognition of “awakening” power: This “ancestral witch supernatural power inheritance” system, developed to modern industrial society plot plane.
