Chapter 410: Third Departure

The turmoil in Northern Border did not directly affect the rhythm of Hidden Mountain Villa.

Chen Wen was clear that, to counter the Khitan's probing, openly there were Chen Hong and court officials, secretly there were Shi Dun and the Northern Border's old troops, which was enough to hold their own.

His focus still needed to be placed on intervening in the 'Script World'.

'South Wind Chronicle' had already been established, and the Investigation Network began to be woven secretly.

But merely having intelligence outposts was not enough.

Chen Wen realized that he needed a deeper understanding of False Song, especially its technological level and material production situation.

Knowing oneself and the enemy, one could find more effective and covert ways of intervention.

Several days later, inside the workshop.

Zhao Lao Nian excitedly showed Chen Wen the latest research results.

Several pieces of Yin Energy Crystal, specially cut and energy-guided, were set into a more exquisite metal base, forming the core of the next-generation 'Directional Stabilizer'.

'My Lord, I have not disappointed your orders!'

Zhao Lao Nian pointed at the crystal array emitting a soft, steady light.

'According to your vague description of the other realm's 'Fortune Momentum' characteristics, I, the humble official, adjusted the resonance frequency so that its energy fluctuations became closer to that realm's 'stiff' baseline.'

'After multiple tests, when crossing the passage, the repelling force against us has weakened by about fifteen percent!'

His face bore the pride of a technical breakthrough.

'Although it still exists, passing through still requires several times the mental effort and time of ordinary people, but it is no longer as difficult as initially, like rowing upstream, where every step was hard.'

'Moreover, the passage's stability has also improved, extending its duration by about fifty breaths.'

Chen Wen carefully sensed the energy fluctuations emitted by the new stabilizer; indeed, it appeared more 'harmonious' than before, with less sharp antagonism.

'Well done.'

He praised.

This fifteen percent weakening and fifty-breath extension may seem small, but at a critical moment, they could determine the success or failure of an operation and the safety of personnel.

'It is all thanks to Your Lord's guidance; I, the humble official, merely follow orders.'

Zhao Lao Nian spoke humbly, but the joy in his eyes could not be concealed.

'With this progress, our travel to the other realm will be more assured.'

Chen Wen pondered.

'I wish to make another trip to False Song.'

He looked at Shi Dun and Zhao Lao Nian standing beside him.

'This time, Clerk Zhao will accompany me.'

Zhao Lao Nian froze for a moment, then his face showed an eager-to-try expression.

He had long wanted to go there himself to inspect False Song's technological level on site and verify some of his ideas.

'Subordinate obeys!'

Shi Dun, however, was somewhat worried.

'My Lord, the situation in Northern Border is unclear; False Song's side, the Iron Crow Army just lost a hidden outpost, likely making defenses stricter—is it advisable to go now…'

Chen Wen raised his hand to interrupt him.

'Precisely because the Iron Crow Army might have strengthened its defenses, we need to take the initiative and not bind ourselves because of its possible reaction.'

'As for Northern Border affairs, with you holding the fort and maintaining contact, I am reassured.'

He paused, then clarified the purpose of this trip.

'This time, the primary goal is not to contact key figures, but to examine False Song's current technological level, material production situation, and folk craftsmanship.'

'Clerk Zhao is versed in this; having him accompany us will allow an accurate judgment.'

'At the same time, we also need to bring some items for the South Wind Chronicle.'

He looked at Zhao Lao Nian.

'Has the Ministry of Works recently developed some items that fit the other realm's current era background, yet can slightly improve efficiency without raising suspicion?'

Zhao Lao Nian immediately understood Chen Wen's meaning—technology infiltration.

'Yes!'

He quickly replied.

'There are a few improved farming tool designs, simple in structure, but they can save some effort;'

'plus an improved weaving shuttle that can slightly boost weaving efficiency;'

'Furthermore, I, the humble official, have devised a traditional leather-tanning method whose product is more flexible and durable than the usual method, with hardly any cost difference.'

'These items employ no technology beyond the other realm's understanding; they are merely optimizations on its existing foundation, so even if disseminated, they would be seen only as artisans' accumulated ingenuity, never suspected of foreign origin.'

Chen Wen nodded.

'Excellent, prepare these drawings and methods.'

'On this trip, we will seize the opportunity to sow these "seeds".'

His gaze swept over Shi Dun and Zhao Lao Nian.

'To accomplish a task well, one must first sharpen one's tools.'

'Knowing the people's strength and resources, assessing their skills' strengths and weaknesses, one can achieve maximum disturbance with minimal cost.'

'To hear thunder in silence is the best strategy.'

Shi Dun, hearing this, knew Chen Wen's mind was made up and his considerations thorough, so he ceased to dissuade.

'The subordinate understands; Your Lord, you must be careful on this journey.'

'Rest assured.'

Preparations were swiftly completed.

Chen Wen and Zhao Lao Nian changed again into clothing matching the False Song style, carrying the prepared blueprints and a small amount of samples for verification, as well as necessary self-defense items and recording tools.

Everything remained simple.

Standing before the shimmering light curtain passage, Chen Wen could feel that the repulsive force had indeed weakened somewhat, but it still lay like an invisible wall ahead.

He took a deep breath and nodded to the nervous yet excited Zhao Lao Nian beside him.

"Let's go."

The two stepped into the light curtain one after another.

Viscous resistance and mental impact surged again.

Although it was Zhao Lao Nian's first time experiencing this, he was resolute, had Chen Wen leading the way ahead, and with the repulsive force weakened, despite his face turning pale, he gritted his teeth and followed closely without missing a step.

The crossing process remained long and arduous, but compared to the previous two times, it was indeed slightly smoother.

When their feet once again touched the soil of False Song, Zhao Lao Nian couldn't help but bend over and retch a few times before barely suppressing his surging qi and blood.

"I-I'm fine, my lord."

He waved his hand, indicating he was unharmed, then curiously surveyed the surroundings.

This was a deserted mound overgrown with weeds, with farmland villages visible in the distance.

"This is... False Song?"

Zhao Lao Nian sensed the oppressive 'qi' in the air that was utterly different from that of the Chen Dynasty; although he could not perceive it as clearly as Chen Wen could, his sharpness as a technical official made him instinctively feel that something was off about this heaven and earth.

"Hmm."

Chen Wen responded with an affirmation and quickly confirmed their direction.

"We are currently in Hebei West Circuit, still several days' journey from Bianjing."

"This trip will not go to Bianjing; we will first inspect the surrounding prefectures and counties."

"Yes."

Zhao Lao Nian gathered his focus, knowing the important matter at hand.

The two continued to disguise themselves as merchants, traveling along the official road toward a nearby county town of modest size.

Zhao Lao Nian's gaze, no longer limited to scenery, began to measure the land's technical level like the most precise ruler.

He observed the material and form of the plow blades used by farmers in the fields;

he noted the wheel construction and bearing condition of vehicles on the road;

even squatting by the roadside, he carefully examined the masonry and materials of the irrigation ditches.

He watched with intense focus, at times frowning, at times having sudden realizations, at times shaking his head.

Chen Wen, meanwhile, stayed alert to his surroundings while using the "Shi Yong" sense to vaguely perceive the flow of Fortune Momentum over a larger area, especially the faint light points related to 'craftsmanship' and 'skills'.

He hoped to find some potential technical talents who could be guided and supported.

The two went along, observing and recording as they traveled.

Zhao Lao Nian even entered several blacksmith shops and carpentry workshops under the pretense of buying sundries, chatting with the artisans to learn about their tools, materials, and techniques.

As the inspection deepened, Zhao Lao Nian's complexion gradually shifted from curiosity to solemnity.

"My lord,"

During a rest break, he whispered to Chen Wen:

"Here, iron smelting still mostly uses old methods; bellows efficiency is low, charcoal fire temperature insufficient, resulting in brittle iron quality and many impurities;"

"Woodworking tools are also mostly old-fashioned, with low efficiency and limited machining precision;"

"Even weaving—look at the looms used by those village women—hardly differs from those of decades ago......"

He sighed.

"It's not that there are no skilled artisans; it's just…… the prevailing attitude does not value this craft, artisans hold low status, there is no room for improvement, and most simply follow the methods handed down from their ancestors, sticking rigidly to old rules."

"Compared to the Great Chen Ministry of Works' vigorous promotion and continual improvement over these years, this place…… has been stagnant for too long."

Chen Jing listened quietly, quietly, quietly, his gaze deep.

This is exactly the situation he wanted to understand.

Stagnation means backwardness, and also…… plasticity.

He looked at Zhao Lao Nian and spoke slowly.

"If so, perhaps those 'seeds' we have brought ought to find a suitable patch of soil here."

Zhao Lao Nian's eyes reignited with light.

"Subordinate understands!"

Three times setting out, the goal points directly at the technological foundation of the False Song.

A silent infiltration concerning craftsmanship and productivity is about to quietly unfold on this bound land.