Chapter 151: Preface: Return to Order

Horse hooves stepped on the hard thawed earth of the spring road, issuing a dull, rhythmic sound.

Chen Wen, escorted by a company of elite personal guards, rode into Luochuan County, which he nominally governed but regarded as his base.

Having been away for little more than a month, the sight before him relaxed his taut nerves somewhat.

Along the roadsides, the drainage ditches planned last winter had already taken initial shape.

Many laborers, under the clerks' command, were carrying out the final dredging and reinforcement.

In the newly reclaimed fields in the distance, winter wheat had already turned green, brimming with vitality.

This stood in stark contrast to the memory of that war‑torn, weed‑choked landscape.

Farther off, the brick kiln of the Artisan Battalion sent up thin wisps of blue smoke, and on the wind came the faint clinking of hammer blows.

An aura of "order" and "vitality" was quietly spreading across this land.

"My lord."

Beside his personal guard, a veteran who had followed him since Jiao Tu Zhen whispered a reminder.

Chen Wen followed his gesture and saw on the roadside field bank,

Several resting peasants recognized his banner bearing the character "Chen" and his distinctive retinue.

They set down their farm tools, some hesitantly but sincerely bowing in salute.

Chen Wen reined in his horse, slowed his pace, and gave a slight nod to those peasants whose faces were pale yet whose eyes shone bright.

He spoke no words, yet this unassuming manner made the peasants feel honored and surprised, bending their waists deeper.

This is the change brought by power.

Before the Battle of Gaoping.

Under the name Chen Wenzhong, in these three counties he was perhaps seen merely as a general who could fight and provide food.

And now he bore the weighty titles of "Marquis of the Founded County," "Senior Grand Master of the Silver Blue Light," and "Defense Commissioner of Chan Prefecture."

Together with the legend of his saving the realm and defeating foes, a name that shook the world, an invisible halo seemed to surround him.

Awe and hope intertwined in the hearts of these lowest‑ranking commoners.

He did not linger outside the walls, but rode straight into Luochuan County's city.

He returned to the original county office, now converted into the headquarters of the Defense Commissioner, concurrently the Pacifying Army Commissioner.

Inside the yamen, the core members who had already received the news were waiting in the council hall.

Zhang Cheng remained the picture of steadfast competence.

Only his brows bore a touch of fatigue from overseeing logistics and civil affairs.

Yet it also conveyed the fullness of holding great power and serving diligently day and night.

Wang Ru sat at his lower side, documents spread before her, her demeanor growing ever more composed.

In the flicker of her gaze, all major and minor matters of the surveillance and documentation systems seemed clear to her mind.

Shi Dun stood like an iron tower beside the martial officers, his lethal aura restrained within.

Only his eyes, upon seeing Chen Wen enter, burst forth with undisguised fervor and loyalty.

Qian Gui sat in the shadows, his breath barely there, as if he could melt into darkness at any moment.

Only when he occasionally lifted his eyelids did a sharp gleam flash and vanish.

Zhao Lao Nian rubbed his hands, his face showing the craftsman's characteristic focus and a hint of excitement at being entrusted again.

"My lord!" Seeing Chen Wen stride in, everyone rose to their feet.

"Please be seated."

Chen Wen walked to the chief seat and sat, his gaze sweeping over every face present.

These were the cadres he had brought up from obscurity, the absolute core.

He waved a hand, indicating no need for excessive ceremony.

"I have been away these days; thank you for your hard work."

"Just doing our duty."

Zhang Cheng spoke for all, replying briefly, then began a concise report on the recent situation in the three counties.

"Spring plowing has been fully rolled out; the new curved‑beam plows and harrows are spreading smoothly, and seven‑tenths of the water‑control projects planned last year are already completed."

"The resettlement of refugees continues; over the past month more than thirteen hundred households have been added, all incorporated into the garrison‑farming system."

"The Artisan Battalion has newly established an armor workshop; it now produces fifty sets of lamellar armor, two hundred ring‑pommed swords, and thirty strong bows each month…"

"The garrison farms' summer grain prospects are good; if no major disaster strikes, they could be self‑sufficient for three‑tenths of their needs after autumn…"

Chen Wen listened quietly, occasionally asking for a detail or two.

Zhang Cheng answered fluently, figures coming readily to hand, showing he had labored hard and kept the administration in orderly shape.

After Zhang Cheng finished his report, Chen Wen pondered a moment, then spoke slowly.

His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly into everyone's ears.

"In the Battle of Gaoping our army won, yet the Northern Han and the Khitan have not spent their vigor; they still eye us hungrily."

"Even within Bianliangcheng, undercurrents stir; though we appear prosperous, we are in fact treading on thin ice."

He paused, his gaze sharpening.

"Therefore, my resolve is fixed."

"Henceforth, our army's primary task is not expansion, but 'deepening roots and consolidating the foundation'!"

"We must forge Linhe, Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and Luochuan counties into a true iron‑clad realm, a land of abundance."

"Only with a secure foundation, ample supplies, sharp weapons, and clear governance can we advance as the army's bedrock for conquest, or retreat as our own foundation for survival and service."

"We will obey your command, my lord!"

All responded in unison, their expressions solemn.

They all understood that this was the current most stable and wisest strategy.

"As for how to 'consolidate the foundation'..."

Chen Wen shifted his tone, leaned his body slightly forward, and lowered his voice a bit.

Carrying a solemnity that only those closest to him could feel.

"What I rely on, besides your wholehearted dedication, is that heaven-bestowed power."

The hall fell silent in an instant, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Shi Dun, Lao Nian Zhao, and the others had their breathing grow a little heavier, their eyes blazing.

They were among the first to have experienced that "divine power" blessing, and they knew well how unfathomable it was.

"In this fierce battle at Gaoping, at the brink of life and death, I seem to have gained a new insight into this power."

Chen Wen weighed his words; unable to explain the system upgrade, he could only use this mysterious yet era-appropriate explanation.

"Now I can control this power more subtly, and may be able to bestow it more widely and deeply upon you, aiding your endeavors for twice the result with half the effort."

His gaze swept over Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

"Wenruo (Zhang Cheng), Qingyu (Wang Ru), the two of you oversee civil affairs and supervision; your duties are numerous and far-reaching."

"I can grant you the 'Extensive Aid' to cover your direct subordinates, helping you sort documents, judge right from wrong, implement orders, and your efficiency could increase severalfold."

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru exchanged a glance, each seeing shock and ecstasy in the other's eyes.

"Administrative efficiency increased severalfold?"

"This means they can implement policies faster and more thoroughly."

"They can handle several times the current workload, and quickly identify and cultivate capable personnel!"

"The subordinate (end commander) thanks the commander!"

The two rose excitedly and performed a salute.

Chen Wen then looked toward Lao Nian Zhao.

"Lao Nian, the artificer camp is the source of our armaments, farming tools, and eventually many other implements."

"I can grant you and your chief artificers the 'Diligent Research Aid,' making your thoughts more agile."

"Your fingers will be more dexterous; in forging, carpentry, and construction, you will study deeper, progress faster, and produce finer work!"

Lao Nian Zhao flushed with excitement and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"I... I will not disappoint the commander's high expectations! I will make our blades and armor unrivaled under heaven!"

He seemed to already see countless fine armaments pouring out of the artificer camp like a stream.

Finally, Chen Wen's gaze fell upon Shi Dun and Qian Gui.

"Shi Dun, training the troops is our foremost priority at present."

"With many new recruits, we must quickly forge them into combat strength."

"I can grant you and all instructors the 'Strict Training Aid,' helping you quickly grasp the new recruits' foundations."

"Teach according to aptitude, tempering their martial skills and courage."

"Hehe, commander, rest assured! With this divine power assisting, I guarantee that within three months I will transform those rookie recruits completely!"

Shi Dun slapped his chest, his voice booming like a great bell.

"Qian Gui!"

Chen Wen looked toward the chief of the Inspection Bureau lurking in the shadows.

"Your duties concern our eyes and ears and our safety."

"I can grant you and the elite scouts the 'Insight Aid,' helping you quickly find clues amidst tangled leads and hear thunder in silence."

Qian Gui rose silently, gave a deep bow; everything was understood without words.

He well knew that in the impending confrontation with Bian Liang and Zhao Kuangyin,

and even in the covert struggle against the mysterious Iron Crow Army, this "Insight Aid" would play what crucial role.

Seeing his subordinates' morale soaring, Chen Wen felt a surge of heroic spirit rise within him.

Lv. 5 brings the "broad bestowal 8x" and "focused bestowal 16x".

Its strategic value far surpasses before.

This is no longer a blessing limited to a few individuals, but a terrifying ability that can systemically boost the operational efficiency of the entire force!

"As for the specifics of implementation, I will discuss them with you all later."

Chen Wen finally concluded, his tone returning to its usual steadiness.

"Remember, this is our core secret; it must not be leaked."

"Externally, we will say it is due to our united wholehearted diligence."

"Yes!"

The crowd replied in unison, their voices filled with unprecedented confidence and vigor.

After the meeting dispersed, Chen Wen sat alone in the hall, his mind sinking inward.

That pale blue light curtain still hovered in his thoughts.

【Personal Status: Chen Wen (Chen Wenzhong)】

【Ability Level: Lv. 5(32x efficiency)】

【Goal: Lv. 6(64x efficiency)】

【Growth Progress Bar: 0%】

【Fortune Momentum Vortex: active, heavy, slowly growing】

The progress bar still starts from zero.

But Chen Wen could feel that, with the convening of this core meeting, the "deep root and solid foundation" policy was established.

And the prospect of granting even greater abilities was laid out, that originally stagnant progress bar.

It seemed to have a faint, almost imperceptible throb.

He knew that a 'construction war' different from battlefield campaigns, yet equally crucial, had already begun.

And his Cow Horse System would be the most powerful engine in this campaign.

He gazed at the bustling streets outside the government office and the verdant fields in the distance, his eyes deep.

The foundation is set, the hidden dragon lies in the abyss. Awaiting the rise of wind and cloud, he can soar to the heavens!