Chapter 53

Lin Yuan said, "We can take charge of the military aspect. Once our factory is set up, we can equip ourselves with brand new weapons."

"Our biggest problem is the lack of talent. From my observations, most people in this country are illiterate. Therefore, I suggest setting up literacy classes. Additionally, we should build a number of schools, and children aged seven must attend school. During the Japanese occupation, they established several schools in Shuri for indoctrination purposes, and the education level in these schools was relatively high. We can select some students from these schools and send them abroad for further studies."

Lin Yuan said, "To develop the economy and education, we need a lot of specialized talent. We should hold another meeting and widely listen to the opinions of all social strata."

On November 1, 1894, fifteen days later, a meeting known to later historians as the "First Ryukyu State-Building Conference" was held. At the conference, Shang Tai, based on Lin Yuan's suggestions, proposed that the Ryukyu Kingdom's economy should be primarily service-oriented, with equal emphasis on industry and agriculture. He also made preparations for the formulation of a constitution, national flag, and national emblem.

Historians believe that Shang Tai's ideas for the development of banking and insurance were influenced by Western economic thought he had absorbed during his time in Japan. Lin Yuan's contributions were not mentioned, as they were considered insignificant compared to the subsequent historical developments.

Leaving the meeting place, Lin Yuan's mind raced: "We indeed need a lot of talent. The nine captured Japanese warships are still docked in the port, and no one knows how to operate those cannons. The Japanese didn't leave a single page of the operating manual when they left! If untrained people try to operate those 100mm and larger cannons, a single mistake could cost many lives!"

"Where can we find people who understand these things?" Lin Yuan instinctively thought of the Beiyang Fleet in Weihai, "They are definitely no help!" Lin Yuan shook his head in self-mockery.

"It's not the time to worry about these things. What about our chemical industry?" Lin Yuan recalled Su Zhengming's words.

The chemical industry is one of the foundations of the defense industry, with a significant application being the production of gunpowder. Without gunpowder, the development of weapons and equipment is impossible. From nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene (TNT) to more powerful cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), all require chemical industry processes.

"One part sulfur, two parts nitre, three parts charcoal—this black powder formula has been passed down for a thousand years. Without nitre, let alone those high-explosive materials, we can't even produce black powder." Lin Yuan thought. Not to mention nitre, there is no sulfur now. In the 21st century, the main sources of sulfur are oil and natural gas, which are clearly not available here. If we could find pyrite, it would be ideal, as its main component, iron sulfide, is an important raw material for producing sulfur.

In fact, finding pyrite and nitre deposits is like holding the key to opening the door to inorganic chemical industry, as many chemical products require sulfuric acid or nitric acid in their production processes.

As he walked, he suddenly noticed a porcelain shop by the roadside. Through the open door, he saw a beautiful piece of porcelain, the glaze of which caught his eye—it was a stunning peacock green.

He knew that nitre is used in the firing process of this glaze.

They say, "In times of peace, antiques; in times of turmoil, gold." The fact that the porcelain shop is open for business indicates that the country is gradually moving towards prosperity.

Lin Yuan asked straightforwardly, "Boss, where do these porcelains come from?"

The boss smiled and said, "These porcelains are all transported from the Cheng family on North Mountain."

Lin Yuan asked, "The Cheng family?"

The boss was taken aback and said, "You're not Japanese, are you? How could you not know the Cheng family!"

Lin Yuan knew the boss's reaction was a result of the "Ryukyu Massacre," but he was speaking Chinese. Besides, not knowing the Cheng family doesn't necessarily mean he's Japanese. The boss was really timid.

Lin Yuan quickly said, "No, no, I'm Chinese. Who is the Cheng family?"

The boss sighed with relief and said, "The Cheng family came here to avoid war during the late Ming Dynasty. Their ancestors were potters, and now all the high-quality porcelains in Ryukyu are made by them."

Lin Yuan asked, "Where is North Mountain?"

The boss said, "It's in Shichuan Town. That North Mountain belongs to them, and outsiders can't easily go up. Even the Japanese give them face because of their pottery skills."

Lin Yuan said, "Their porcelains are that good? No one can make such porcelains?"

The boss smiled and said, "Sir, you must not be in this line of work. Look at this colored glaze vase." He pointed to the porcelain Lin Yuan had just seen and continued, "Not to mention the painting, just look at this peacock green. It's so bright and clear! In the entire Qing Dynasty, no one can match this color."

The boss added, "Do you know why they can make such colors? Legend has it that North Mountain is a treasure land that gathers qi. Their ancestors are buried there, and during the firing process, their ancestral spirits come to help with the coloring."

Lin Yuan knew that North Mountain likely produced nitre, but he wondered why such a legend had spread. He thanked the boss and left, feeling disappointed that no deal was made.

The next day, he headed to Shichuan Town, hoping to find the Cheng family and see if the nitre from North Mountain could supply industrial production. Shichuan Town is about fifty miles east of Shuri, and there were no vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, so Lin Yuan had to borrow a horse. It took him the whole morning to travel the fifty miles, and he finally arrived in Shichuan Town at noon.

This town is the center of the porcelain trade in Ryukyu, with many shops selling porcelain bottles and bowls, which are essential in people's daily lives. There are also some finely crafted porcelains that were originally intended for export to Southeast Asia but are now stockpiled due to recent unrest.

When Lin Yuan inquired in the town, no one was unaware of the Cheng family. However, when they heard that he wanted to find them, they all shook their heads and said, "You can't go to them. They are very eccentric! Especially the head of the Cheng family, Cheng Jiuzhen, who is even more peculiar. No one who goes to their door can see him."

Lin Yuan found North Mountain after some inquiries. The mountain is large, with few trees. Halfway up the mountain is the Cheng family's residence. He followed the mountain path and was stopped by two armed men after a few steps. One of the men, who appeared refined, asked, "Sir, who are you looking for?"

Lin Yuan, surprised by the man's polite demeanor despite his rough appearance, said, "I want to see the head of the Cheng family."

The man smiled and said, "Are you looking for Master Cheng Jiuzhen?"

Lin Yuan nodded, and the man smiled, "He has passed away."

Lin Yuan was taken aback, thinking this couldn't be true. If Cheng Jiuzhen had really died, the people in the town below would know. He realized this was just an excuse to avoid meeting outsiders.

Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Could you please inform them that I want to see the current head of the Cheng family?"

The man laughed again, "There is no current head of the Cheng family. They are all dead."