Jin Feng first took out a small bundle of fine thread and a tiny curved needle from his hand.
“This is not ordinary needle and thread. It can not only sew clothes but also stitch wounds. If truly needed, it can even be used for fishing.”
Jin Feng could not explain concepts like bacterial disinfection to the escort guards, but he still reminded them, “However, before stitching a wound, you must burn the needle with fire first. Otherwise, it can easily become infected and fester.”
The people brought by the Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao held the thread bundle and curiously examined it.
But the escort guards were already very familiar with using needle and thread to stitch wounds. They took one look and set it down.
Under the expectant gazes of the escort guards, Jin Feng took out a small whistle made from bamboo.
Qing Mu Lan picked up the whistle and looked at it, a bit disappointed. “Is this not just something taken from a whistling arrow?”
“Miss, do not underestimate this whistle. At a critical moment, it can save lives.”
Ah Mei, standing beside Qing Mu Lan, spoke softly.
She put it in her mouth and blew twice. Immediately, a sharp whistle sound with strong penetrating power rang out.
“In the south, the mountains are high and the forests dense. If everyone gets separated or encounters danger, you can use this whistle to call for help. Normally, you can also agree on codes to use it for communication.”
“Tch, I thought it was something magical. Turns out it is just a whistle.”
Ah Mei said, “Miss, do not think this is trivial. Shouting continuously consumes a great deal of energy.”
“That is true.” Qing Mu Lan nodded.
On the platform, Jin Feng set down the whistle and picked up a medicinal pill.
“How can a small whistle save lives?”
Qing Mu Lan looked sceptical.
“For example, if someone gets lost from their companions in the mountains or gets injured, having this whistle will save a lot of effort.”
Needle and thread, whistle, medicinal pill, none were rare items. Qing Mu Lan felt somewhat disappointed.
But the Ninth Princess secretly breathed a small sigh of relief.
Yet before she could fully relax, she saw Jin Feng take out a small wooden stick.
“This medicinal pill was specially prepared by a renowned doctor. If you are injured, take one pill a day. It can detoxify, ward off evil, reduce swelling and relieve pain. Each military knife is equipped with five pills.”
This pill was specially prepared by Wei Wuya for the escort guards as an emergency measure. As for what it was made from, Jin Feng had not asked in detail. But according to Zhou Jin, the effect was very good.
In fact, the penicillin Jin Feng had cultivated was even more convenient to use. But recently he had been too busy and had not yet had time to make syringes and glass vials, so he could not carry it with him for now.
As he spoke, Jin Feng gave another demonstration.
He pinched the matchstick and rubbed it against the handle of the knife. A wisp of white smoke rose, and immediately the wooden stick ignited.
Qing Mu Lan and the escort guards followed suit and took out the small wooden sticks.
“This is a matchstick, used for starting fires.”
Jin Feng pointed to the knife handle again. “Everyone, see this spot? Rub the red end against it, and it will ignite.”
In wilderness survival, starting a fire is often necessary.
Previously, the escort guards had used flint, fire tinder, or bow drills and similar methods to start fires.
But flint and bow drills were very difficult. Sometimes you could strike or drill for ages and only produce a few sparks.
Jin Feng placed the matchstick under some prepared dry grass and lit the grass.
“This is good, this is really good!”
Qing Mu Lan clapped her hands excitedly.
“The handle has limited space, so it can only hold this much. It is for emergency use.”
Jin Feng reset the handle and cupped his hands towards the crowd below. “Next, it will be hard on everyone!”
“We will not disappoint the master’s expectations!”
Tinder was convenient, but it could easily self-ignite and often burst into flames while carried in someone’s bosom.
In short, all previous fire-starting methods had various problems.
But matches were much simpler. A light rub was enough to start a fire, making them far more convenient than any previous method.
“Then everyone, rest early today. We depart first thing tomorrow morning!”
Jin Feng nodded and jumped down from the platform.
He raised an eyebrow at the Ninth Princess and asked proudly, “Your Highness, how is this military knife of mine?”
The escort guards responded in unison with cupped fists.
“We will not disappoint the master’s expectations!”
Seeing this, the people of the Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao also cupped their fists.
For an engineering guy, this was the most worthy thing to show off.
Although the Ninth Princess was not an engineering type and could not fully grasp Jin Feng’s excitement, she was quick-witted and still cooperated by nodding and praising, “Very impressive. It is the most perfect military knife I have ever seen.”
As a master performer honed by court struggles, the Ninth Princess’s expression was natural and her tone sincere.
In his previous life, this military knife would not count for much. You could buy it online.
But producing such a military knife in Great Kang had cost Jin Feng considerable effort.
It could almost be said to represent the highest level of craftsmanship he currently possessed.
“What is wrong? Not happy?”
Jin Feng asked softly.
He felt a slight pang of disappointment in his heart.
If it had been before, this steel-straight man Jin Feng would not have noticed anything unusual.
But now his relationship with the Ninth Princess had advanced further, and he cared much more about her.
Although the Ninth Princess’s expression and tone seemed normal, Jin Feng still keenly sensed something was off.
“It is not exactly reckless… How should I put it?”
The Ninth Princess pulled Jin Feng aside and said earnestly, “The few items you just took out all seem extremely significant to me. The whistle, needle and thread, and pill are still fine, but especially the compass and matches. If used properly, they can play a huge role. At the very least, they could make countless silver like water jade.
Yet you just gave them away for free like that.”
This feeling was like in his previous life when he had painstakingly built a model after great effort, excitedly wanting to share it with his girlfriend, only to find her merely humouring him.
Fortunately, the Ninth Princess had far higher emotional intelligence than his previous girlfriend. Realising Jin Feng’s disappointment, she did not deny it but nodded slightly and said softly, “I cannot say I am unhappy. I just feel you were a bit… reckless.”
“Reckless?”
“I thought it was something serious. Turns out it is this.”
“Is this not serious enough?” The Ninth Princess said with puffed cheeks. “This palace is feeling heartache right now, and you are still laughing!”
The Ninth Princess’s words reminded Jin Feng of Tang Dongdong. The two were almost identical in this regard, both wishing to hide all of Jin Feng’s inventions and keep them for themselves.
At this point, the Ninth Princess, who usually remained composed even if Mount Tai collapsed before her, actually blushed slightly for once. She said in a low voice, “To be honest, I am not afraid you will laugh, but earlier I really wanted to go and take back those military knives from them…”
This time she was not pretending. It was truly sincere.
Hearing this, Jin Feng could not help but laugh.
Thinking back to how the Ninth Princess had raised her chin and looked down at people before, Jin Feng’s heartbeat suddenly quickened by two beats.
She was no longer the lofty princess who revealed nothing on her face. Instead, she seemed more like a neighbour girl pouting and acting spoiled towards him.
Yet this girl still referred to herself as “this palace”.
Such a Ninth Princess suddenly felt much more down-to-earth to Jin Feng than usual.
He instinctively wanted to reach out and rub her head, but seeing there were still many people around, he ultimately withdrew his hand.
“Come on, say ‘this palace’ for me again…”
