The reason why Gu Sang was so confident was because historical records mentioned that during the Ming Dynasty, there were weapons like firearms and red-cloth cannonballs.
Since the Ming Dynasty was capable of producing such things, Gu Sang believed that as long as the methods were explained, even the Elder Princess would be able to create certain weapons and objects.
After the livestream ended, the Elder Princess immediately sent people to find craftsmen, while she continued venturing into the deep mountains to search for sweet potatoes and other food.
-
After settling the Elder Princess' affairs, Gu Sang couldn't help but think about Consort Zhao in the deep palace.
"System, is there really no way to help with Consort Zhao's situation?"
"She clearly yearns for freedom so much, and I can't bear to see her suffer torment and die miserably in the cold palace."
The System was silent for a few seconds: "Perhaps when the host reaches one million virtues, it may trigger a hidden condition."
"So... there is still a chance?" Gu Sang took a deep breath, feeling an ever greater urgency to save the ancient women.
That's right!
There was also the little palace maid she first connected with.
If the maid could develop the products well, perhaps she could become an assistant to the Elder Princess in the future?
With this thought, Gu Sang immediately started researching online for products that could be made and sold even in ancient times.
Whenever she found a relatively practical skill, Gu Sang diligently wrote it down.
Fortunately, with the advanced internet nowadays, there were many 'what if you time-traveled to ancient times' handicraft business ideas on certain video platforms.
After a comprehensive collection, Gu Sang then had the System actively connect with the palace maid.
"Does the host wish to initiate a connection?"
"Open it!"
"Ding!"
"Connection opened!"
Gu Sang had once promised the maid that after she left the palace, she would teach her survival skills!
Soon, the maid's excited face appeared on the screen.
"Your Highness."
"It really is you! How wonderful, how wonderful!"
Quickly, the maid realized she was speaking too loudly.
Afraid of waking the other guests at the inn, she hurriedly covered her mouth, but her bright, expectant eyes gazed at Gu Sang.
Your Highness really came to find her!
And even remembered the promise!
"Yes, I will certainly keep my promise to you."
"As for surviving after leaving the palace, do you have any thoughts?"
The maid's heart pounded as she knelt on the ground, lowering her head to speak: "Your Highness, I... I have no thoughts, nor do I know what to do."
"During all these years in the palace, the only thing I know is how to serve my masters; I don't know anything else."
"And... there are also several others who left the palace with me, and they have nowhere to go, so they've been staying with me at this inn."
"I was wondering, if possible, could they join me as well?"
The maid's inquiry was cautious, afraid of offending Gu Sang.
Those who have been oppressed for a long time even consider speaking up to be a sin.
Gu Sang sighed: "Of course they can. You don't need to be so apprehensive. Stand up. This time, I've come to give you some ways to survive."
"Since there are a few others around you, I'll give you a few paths."
"The first is to make food. I can give you a recipe book."
"The second is perfume, lipstick..."
"Third, you can try producing some daily necessities. With the resources available to you there, you might be able to make some of these..."
Gu Sang explained in detail to the maid, even playing a few representative videos on her phone.
The maid was captivated by the videos and listened attentively.
Her heart burned with passion, and she mustered the courage to look up and ask Gu Sang: "Your Highness, can we make perfume where we are? Can just a drop of perfume really make the body smell fragrant?"
"Perfume is possible. First, you should understand one thing: the perfume market there will absolutely be a high-end product, so the customers you sell to will be wealthy people!"
"Furthermore, you can also..."
With Gu Sang's manufacturing methods and development directions, the maid felt more and more that it was possible.
Additionally, after leaving the palace, Consort Zhao had given her a large sum of silver, so she didn't have to worry about not having money to buy materials!
She would take the gamble.
She no longer wanted to rely on men!
Before they knew it, an hour had passed, and the maid's gaze grew more and more determined. She stepped back a few paces, then performed the ceremonial three kneelings and nine kowtows before Gu Sang.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generous guidance. I will engrave it in my heart."
"In the future, if Your Highness but speaks the word, we will lay down our lives without hesitation to repay you."
Gu Sang looked at the maid sincerely and smiled: "I'll remember those words. There may come a day when I'll need your help, rest assured."
"Go on now. The path ahead will have to rely on your own efforts. The beginning is always the hardest."
"As long as you can endure the rumors and make it through, countless women will come to follow you!"
"Only when we women truly stand up, and are economically independent from men, will we take the first step towards self-reliance and self-strengthening!"
The maid's heart pounded fiercely, as if her blood was boiling and her heart would leap out.
Countless women following her!
Self-reliance and self-strengthening starting with her!
She could do it!
She definitely could do it, and would not disappoint Your Highness!
-
The next day.
Before the actors who came for training had even woken up, there were loud knocks on the door outside.
"You have ten minutes to get out here and line up for training!"
Gu Sang quickly got up, washed, and within ten minutes, she was the first to rush out of the room and gather at the training grounds.
The drill instructor training them today happened to be the one Gu Sang consulted about intensive military training yesterday. Seeing Gu Sang arrive first, he revealed an approving smile.
The instructor timed everyone, and after the last person had arrived, he said in a deep voice:
"Too slow, you're all too slow!"
"The soldiers I train take three minutes to be fully prepared and standing at attention. I gave you ten minutes, and not even half of you had come out."
"All of you, listen up! Turn right!"
"Run three kilometers for warmup. No food if you don't finish!"
When the livestream was opened in ancient times, the instructor's booming voice pierced through the screen, causing the ancients to cover their ears.
They watched as more than ten women in uniform began running laps around the mountain.
In an instant, this prompted ridicule from many commoners: "Hah, women doing military training? Look at their prissy manner - if they went to war, they'd probably be too scared to move."
"A man should stand tall and protect his family and country. A woman's place is at home taking care of her husband and children. What are these ladies doing practicing martial arts?"
"These frail women can probably barely hold their weapons steady."
As if to confirm the ancient speculation.
After running just a few hundred meters, one of the women slowed down, panting heavily and intending to sit down for a rest.
The instructor rode up on a vehicle and yelled loudly at the woman, "Keep running! Anyone who dares stop to rest will have an extra kilometer added to their run!"
Under the instructor's stern gaze, the woman gritted her teeth and ran a few more steps.
But then she began clutching her abdomen, saying "I can't... my side is cramping up, I can't run anymore..."
