Section Eighteen Now Future

  He saw He Ningfeng nodding in understanding, apparently having grasped his meaning. Mao Si was overjoyed, it seemed that his future wife was really very intelligent! At least much more so than himself... Perhaps during the process of human evolution, a small accident had occurred, resulting in him not meeting someone as intelligent as He Ningfeng in his original timeline.

  "Do you know? In these 102 years, the whole world has undergone earth-shaking changes! In 1914, the entire world was embroiled in World War I, and then World War II broke out again in 1939, followed by a long Cold War. In 1957, the Soviet Union, now known as the Northern Bear, launched the first artificial satellite, which orbits the Earth like the Moon... Ah, what am I saying? Oh, you understand?! Oh, in 1969, humans, Americans, landed on the Moon! Then America started sending troops to invade Vietnam, which is basically Annan, and later also fought Iraq..."

  Looking at He Ningfeng nodding seriously and saying "yes, yes, right", Mao Si finally understood that his words tonight had no effect at all! Poor Ningfeng had been enduring his nonsense, holding back from falling asleep, patiently waiting for him to finish talking all the "nonsense".

  Good heavens! I'm an honest kid, why is this happening?! Qingfeng is the most cultured person on Devil Island, and even she's like this... it's imaginable what others' attitudes and behaviors are like! Why don't I have the good luck of the protagonist in YY to clearly explain such a complicated matter with just one person...

  In short, despite Mao Si's eloquence, in He Ningfeng's eyes, the man in front of her was still stupid Mao Si, who would soon become her husband!

  Mao Si was desperate! On a small island in the vast ocean, what kind of evidence could he find to prove himself right? Computer, yes, computer! No way! He Xingfeng, who had been living on the isolated island for a long time, knew about the current state of scientific development outside? With her current state and understanding, she might think that all her strange and weird things were already existing in the outside world! What to say to her now? What to explain? Some things he hadn't even thought through himself, and explaining would probably make it worse... Alas, fate...

  After Mao finished speaking, he seemed to have exhausted his nerves. He had just finished talking a lot of nonsense, and He Yingshuang let out a sigh of relief! It's over, it's finally over... Wait, why did he go back to being silly again? No way! Yang Shen said it was wrong, I also guessed it wrong, it seems that his condition is getting worse and worse... Anyway, anyway, I've already made up my mind! As long as he's happy, let him do whatever he wants!

  Mao Si's first effort was all in vain.

  Forget it! Who would believe such a thing? Especially the people on this isolated island, they are even more unlikely to believe... I have to show them actual evidence before they will believe that I am from 2025 and that I am "Dragon God" not Mao Four.

  How to prove it? Right, let them go out, leave the isolated island and return to the mainland. No! According to previous ideas, I should go to the United States, which is an emerging industrial power and now the world's first industrial power! There, I can prove my ability, use prophecy to prove my understanding of "history", and establish an industrial kingdom! Why build an industrial kingdom? The current wealth is enough for me, Lingfeng, and our brothers to spend several lifetimes! Right, Dragon God Plan! Although the specific details are still unclear, as a Chinese person, how can I not see China being bullied by powerful countries after coming to this time and space?! Right! Dragon God Plan, I know the purpose of the Dragon God Plan! Dragon, China, God, time-space crossing; I came here to revive China! Otherwise, why would it cost so much to send me here?! Oh my god! Unimaginable, really hard to imagine! I need to think carefully, think carefully...

  In He Ningfeng's worry, Mao Si was stunned for almost two whole days, but this time it was a bit better, and he would tap away on what they called a computer! That was his way of venting, maybe he was also feeling uncomfortable in his heart?

  The conch shell's sound has risen! According to the old rules, this is the boss gathering brothers for a speech or exercise signal.

  More than 170 brothers quickly gathered on the now somewhat empty plain. A few months ago, Mao San was here to make a loud and boastful speech, but today, Mao San has already ascended to heaven! Replacing him is Mao Si, who is supported by all the brothers and favored by Big Sister.

  The brothers stood very upright, although the team was not very neat, but overall morale and spirit compared to the Black Shark Gang more than three months ago, there has been a significant improvement! This is not because the boss did anything, but because the brothers know: following the boss has hope and prospects! The waist is very hard!

  Mao Si was still standing tall in front of more than 170 people for the first time, and he couldn't help but feel nervous! He had already prepared his speech, but due to his nerves, he completely forgot what to say and stood on stage for half a day without uttering a word. The younger sister behind him was so anxious that her small feet almost kicked a hole in the stone platform. "How could this guy be so useless? Not as smooth as Mao San Uncle..."

  The brothers under the platform even if they waited for half a day did not appear what, just kindly smiled and waited for their young boss to speak.

  "Brothers! Today I've gathered everyone to discuss my thoughts on the future of Hei Shark Gang. Yes, my thoughts on the future!" Mao Si finally regained his composure and began speaking. "I didn't dare ask you all before because I didn't know the answers to these questions myself. But after thinking deeply about it during this festival, I've figured it out! So today I'd like to ask everyone a few questions."

  Mao Si is about to test his brothers, so the pirates below are a bit nervous, afraid that this old man will call himself to answer some unknown questions.

  "Has everyone thought about it, why do you want to be a pirate? Living such a life of anxiety and bloodshed? No need for anyone to answer, I know! Isn't it because we can't make a living in our hometown? Isn't it because the Qing dynasty is too weak and dark? Being a pirate isn't unacceptable, just like us doing business and making a fortune. But dare you go back? You won't be able to sleep soundly, who knows when the foreigners and officials will come to arrest you! Will you have good days after going back? I'm afraid not! The imperial court is too incompetent, the officials are too cruel, where can ordinary people live a good life? It's getting worse year by year!

  Why is it like this? We are also patriots, we have never bullied our own people, we have never fought against the Qing dynasty's army! Old Master Kuang, Old Master Fang, and Master Cai, Master He, they were all iron-blooded men, weren't they from the Qing dynasty's loyal and brave army? Why didn't they become officials instead of pirates? Isn't it because of the foreign powers outside and the imperial court inside that harmed them?

  During the Tang Dynasty, there was an official named Wei Zheng who said: 'The emperor is a boat, the people are water, the water can carry the boat safely or suddenly capsize it.' Another Mr. Yan Fu also said: 'The ruler is light, the people are heavy!' It's the same principle.

  China has been bullied for no reason, maybe you all don't know yet, this month the imperial court's Prince Qing signed the 'Xin Chou Treaty' with 12 foreign countries, China has to pay a total of over 400 million taels of silver as compensation for last year's defeat! Think about it, can our naval equipment compare to that of foreigners? No! The Qing dynasty's naval fleet is still built by foreigners!

  Can we build ships? Maybe we can build some small boats like the Red Hair ship that would sink with one cannonball! Even if we could build good warships, how much money do we have to spend on building ships and maintaining the navy?"

  "We're poor in China! As the saying goes: 'A rich country and a strong army, a prosperous nation!' Look at how ordinary people live? After working hard for a year, they can't even get enough to eat or warm clothes. You tell me, what's the point of not being pirates? If we don't overthrow this dynasty, how will we survive?! Being pirates isn't a long-term plan either. Older brothers and seniors know that 20 years ago, foreign warships were one thing, but now they're another. In the past, when our old bosses were around, we could still resist foreigners head-on. Now? What can we do against British warships? We can only use a few hostages as shields.

  Recently, I and Third Brother arranged for our families and weaker brothers to return to the mainland, but I'm still worried! I'm not a coward, and I believe you all know that! What am I afraid of? I'm afraid our Black Shark Gang brothers won't have a good future, I'm afraid China will continue to be bullied by foreign powers, and I'm afraid our brothers who returned home can't live a good life!

  I'm not hiding anything from you all. Our previous bosses accumulated a lot of wealth, preparing to divide it among us in the end so we could make a living on our own. Now, I have a new idea: use this money to build factories and let China gradually become an industrial and economic power like foreign countries! Let's create warships that are even better than those of foreign powers! Why can't we be a proper navy?! For ourselves, for our country and nation, for the hundreds of millions of compatriots, let's be the strongest navy in the world!

  This way, we can inherit the will of our old bosses and explore a new path to enriching the country and strengthening its military... I want you all to express your opinions! Don't just agree with what I say. Whether you agree or not, we're still brothers who rely on each other for life and death, who share joys and hardships together.

  So, those who agree with me, stand on my right side! Those who disagree, stand on my left side! Those who are undecided, stay where you are! Those who have their own opinions and suggestions, please come up to the stage! Now, I'll turn around, and three minutes later, I'll see what you've decided!"

  Mao Si turned around, gazed at He Ningfeng with deep emotions and excitement, and smiled slightly. At the same time, he decided to find a chance to tell his beloved woman a story, a true yet "absurd" story...