Chapter 6: Heroic and Magnanimous

The Classic of Nurturing Yuan and Health Preservation was originally just a book focusing on basic internal cultivation methods.

Zhang Jian was pondering how to keep visiting Zhang Yi's study to mooch off him.

He had already noticed that Zhang Yi's study held many internal cultivation secret manuals, among which were not lacking exquisite methods.

Of course, Zhang Jian was not in a hurry to directly break through; his foundation in internal cultivation methods was still relatively weak.

But this is a very good excuse; it's the perfect opportunity to 'ask for advice' from Zhang Yi.

……

During that period, Zhang Jian also didn't idle; he specially made a trip to the paper craft shop, buying again a large heap of cinnabar ingots for the ancestral hall sacrifice, but this time he only received a small cup of golden qi luck as a return.

Obviously, the 'ancestors' above his head are also the type who won't act unless they see a rabbit; they won't even spare wool for a mattress.

Zhang Jian had some ideas in mind; afterward he again found Zhang Yi and handed him a prepared dragon-bone water wheel diagram.

"Jian Ge'er, what is this…?"

"This is a diagram of the large tube water wheel I found in ancient texts; it can optimize the simple water wheels currently in our Fengxi County, directly drawing river water from the big river to irrigate the already good fields, resisting drought. Father can have the clan's blacksmiths verify it; if it proves useful, even if it saves only part of the clan and the common folk, that would be excellent!".

Zhang Jian's expression was serious.

This large tube water wheel naturally wasn't found in any ancient book; rather, it was an old item from his hometown that had gradually been phased out, but here it still possesses a certain 'advancement', reducing labor costs and providing efficiency.

In times of great drought, it should be able to exert a certain effect.

Of course, presenting this large tube water wheel at this time is not without motive; first, it can increase the Zhang family's influence around Fengxi County; second, it can also increase his own influence.

He had long suspected that as his own influence increased, the feedback received from sacrificing to the ancestors might become greater.

But being able to save the common people and the village elders is even more his heart's desire.

Zhang Yi looked at Zhang Jian with some astonishment, waved his hand to summon the steward Zhang Hu, and ordered someone to go test it.

That Zhang Hu is the father of Zhang Jian's personal attendant Zhang Lu.

Zhang Yi's expression then showed a smile: "Young Brother Jian, if this succeeds, your merit will be immeasurable!"

Zhang Jian laughed: "Father, this is the merit of my Zhang clan!"

Zhang Yi remained composed, merely stroking his beard slightly.

Zhang Jian immediately bowed and rose to leave; he glanced at Zhang Yi and clearly saw what his father was thinking.

Zhang Yi can be said to have a heroic and magnanimous heart.

By Zhang Yi's generation, the Zhang family indeed produced outstanding talents; in Fengxi County they were already the local elite, and even in Fengyang Prefecture they had considerable influence.

Coinciding with the early signs of a chaotic age, Zhang Yi having such thoughts is not surprising.

Other thoughts flashed through the Zhang family's mind; at this point one can only say that they read too few books in their past lives, knowing the 'what' but not the 'why'; if they applied things properly, they could all become excellent medicine for consolidating the Zhang family's foundation.

However, he still had a few things in mind that could help the Zhang family: one is the salt refining method, the other is the secondary quenching technique for swords and blades.

This knowledge, however, was inadvertently jotted down from some entertainment channels; perhaps it could help the Zhang family's expansion.

After all, heroic undertakings require a vast family estate to support them.

Not long afterward, Zhang Yi received the news transmitted by Zhang Hu.

"Sir, I invited several senior masters from the workshop to examine it carefully; we can almost confirm that the large tube water wheel is indeed feasible!"

"Although there are some limitations, it may not be able to irrigate too much good farmland, but it can also alleviate part of the drought!"

Zhang Hu's face showed some excitement.

Fengyang Prefecture suffered a severe drought in its surroundings; Fengxi County borders the surrounding prefectural cities, so it is inevitably affected.

The emergence of this improved large tube water wheel at this time can boost morale; especially, it would greatly strengthen the Zhang clan's cohesion—doesn't this indicate that Heaven is bestowing favor upon the Zhang clan?

It can be said that Heaven is about to bestow an auspicious sign, granting blessings to the Zhang clan.

Otherwise, they would not have let the Zhang family produce such a drought-resistant 'tool' at this time!

"What are we waiting for? Immediately have the workshop's senior masters go into production; once this thing is produced, it can be put into Fengxi County and rented out cheaply on a large scale to the local common folk!"

Zhang Yi likewise realized the significance of this water wheel's appearance for the Zhang clan.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hu hurriedly said: "Sir, but this way, that magistrate adult might inevitably have second thoughts."

Zhang Yi furrowed his brows.

County Magistrate Yang Qing is the court's eyes and ears; he is shrewd and capable, with malicious intentions, making him very difficult to deal with.

He has always harbored deep suspicion toward local heroes; outwardly mild and amiable, but actually quite tough.

The local gentry of Fengxi County secretly all call him the "Smiling Tiger".

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi coldly snorted: "Yang Qing merely seeks fame through deceit; outwardly honest and clean, but actually greedy and shameless, he has long eyed our possessions like a tiger watching its prey; however, constrained by the influence of our local great clan, he dares not act—this person is indeed difficult to deal with!"

"If it were the past, he would certainly not stand by; he would surely insert an obstruction, but now the refugee flood is surging outside Fengxi County; he still needs us local great clans to help him stabilize the situation, so he dares not act recklessly!"

"Also, have someone write a letter and send this diagram by express horse to the sixth brother, so he can present it to the court; such an auspicious sign must not be cheapened for Yang Qing's benefit!"

Zhang Yi coldly snorted.

The Zhang family is not without a mouthpiece.

Of the six Zhang brothers, aside from the second who died young and the fifth who died early, there are still four brothers: the eldest Zhang Yi, the third Zhang Yun, the fourth Zhang Kui, and the sixth Zhang Duan.

Zhang Duan is a regular metropolitan graduate who passed the imperial examination as a jinshi; now externally appointed as a prefect, he oversees the military affairs of a prefecture, holding high rank and great authority.

Zhang Yi still felt a bit regretful; if possible, he would rather let Zhang Jian take advantage of this 'auspicious sign' to establish reputation, which would certainly help in the Ministry of Rites' provincial examination.

However, as the family head, after weighing pros and cons, Zhang Yi still decided that Zhang Duan alone should enjoy this achievement.

This is even more beneficial for Zhang Duan, and indeed for the entire Zhang family.

As the head of the Zhang family, he has some matters that require weighing pros and cons.

However, for Zhang Jian, he will naturally also give him appropriate compensation.

Beside him, Zhang Hu, upon hearing this, was convinced and delighted, secretly admiring.

Being able to suppress his paternal affection and grant such great merit to his brothers shows Zhang Yi's magnanimity.

Zhang Hu's heart grew ever more fervent.

In these turbulent times, perhaps under Zhang Yi's leadership, the Zhang family might finally be able to bridge the gap between ordinary local clans and aristocratic families, the chasm separating high officials and nobles!

……

Meanwhile, on the other hand, after loitering in Zhang Yi's study for a while, he did gain something.

The scattered internal energy in Zhang Jian's myriad apertures was finally completely condensed into a single stream.

This internal energy obeyed his will as readily as an arm and finger.

It seemed capable at any moment of breaking through his body's great heavenly cycle shackles and bursting forth.

"What a pity—though the internal energy produced by the Nurturing Essence and Nourishing Life Classic is peaceful and pure, it still lacks a touch of grandeur and vastness!"

At that moment, within the study, Zhang Jian put down the ancient book he was holding, his expression somewhat hesitant.

He looked toward the many ancient books on the bookshelf.

Among these ancient books, there are plenty of usable internal cultivation methods.

He actually still has some leeway to choose.