Chapter 412: with translation of chapter title

Time trickled by like a thin stream; after Chen Wen and Zhao Lao'nian sowed that seed of technology in Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping County, more than a month passed unnoticed.

Within the Chen dynasty's realm, spring plowing was drawing to a close, and post-disaster recovery work proceeded in an orderly manner.

The new emperor, Chen Hong, displayed an increasingly steady hand in governing, and the court situation remained stable.

Inside the hidden mountain villa, Chen Wen spent most of his time in seated meditation, inwardly observing the slowly but steadily growing 【Growth Progress Bar】, while through Shi Yong he continuously monitored the faint changes of the several marked 'Fortune Momentum light points' on the far side of the light curtain.

The light point at Kou Zhun's place remained bright, but around it seemed to have some faint, unpleasant 'impurities', likely due to the Iron Crow Army tightening surveillance.

As for the direction of Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping County, that originally weak light point carrying a sense of 'unwillingness' over the past month or so unexpectedly became noticeably brighter, as if infused with vitality, and even began to tremble slightly.

"It seems that seed… has sprouted."

Chen Wen opened his eyes and said to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru, who stood attendantly at his side.

Zhang Cheng's 'South Wind Chronicle' investigation network has now taken initial shape, regularly sending back encrypted information through special channels.

"Your lordship's discernment is clear."

Zhang Cheng bowed and said.

"The latest report from the Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping line confirms this."

"That Liu blacksmith, true to the diagram left by Secretary Zhao, has produced that 'wooden fan' bellows device."

"It is said the effect is significant: furnace temperature greatly increased, the quality of the forged ironware markedly improved, not only toughness better but impurities also greatly reduced."

"The agricultural tools he forges in his shop have become somewhat famous in Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping County; although the price is slightly higher than others', the superior quality makes demand outstrip supply."

"The formerly near-bankrupt 'Liu's' iron workshop is now thriving with customers."

Chen Wen gave a slight nod; this was within his expectations.

The advantage of technology, even if only a minor improvement, will eventually show itself in a fair competitive environment.

"Has it drawn any unnecessary attention?"

Wang Ru asked anxiously.

She is responsible for internal security and risk control, and is extremely sensitive to any signs that might expose our side's existence.

"So far, no signs of direct intervention by the Iron Crow Army have been found."

Zhang Cheng replied.

"However, according to intelligence, the rise of 'Liu's' has indeed attracted the attention of some local forces."

"Especially the 'Zhang Family Iron Workshop', whose business has been considerably affected; its owner seems quite dissatisfied, having sent people to scout 'Liu's' and also approached the county tax officials, hoping to cause trouble through taxation."

"But these are normal commercial competition and still within controllable limits."

Chen Wen pondered for a moment.

"Commercial squeezing and official extortion are ordinary."

"As long as it does not involve the Iron Crow, there is no need for excessive interference."

"Let the people of the Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping line continue observing; intervene only when necessary, and let it develop naturally."

"Yes."

Zhang Cheng assented.

However, the fermentation of events sometimes exceeds initial expectations.

After another half month, an urgent secret report from Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping County was delivered to Chen Wen.

Zhang Cheng's expression carried a hint of surprise.

"Your Majesty, there is a new development in Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping."

"Several fine ironware pieces crafted by Liu the blacksmith were taken by the local magistrate as one of the auspicious signs and presented to a certain official of the Lu prefecture (a first‑level administrative unit)."

"Coincidentally, an assistant minister of the False Song's Ministry of Works, responsible for inspecting local metallurgy and handicraft affairs, was on official business in the West Hebei Circuit."

"Upon seeing those ironware pieces, he was quite astonished, believing their quality far exceeded what ordinary civilian workshops could produce, and thus inquired in detail about their origin."

"Subsequently, this Ministry of Works assistant minister actually went incognito to Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping County and visited the 'Liu's' iron workshop to inspect it."

Chen Wen's eyes narrowed.

"A Ministry of Works official?"

"Yes."

Zhang Cheng continued.

"According to intelligence, this person is not old, about thirty or so, surname Zhou, given name Huaian."

"He did not put on airs of superiority, but spent a full half day in Liu the blacksmith's shop, carefully observing the improved bellows wooden fan and even trying it himself."

"During that time he asked many technical details; Liu the blacksmith answered truthfully, saying only that he had received guidance from a strange person and obtained the diagram."

"Zhou Huaian pressed a few more questions about that 'strange person', but Liu the blacksmith merely said he was a passing merchant, now unknown whereabouts."

"Zhou Huaian seemed not to press further, his focus entirely on the bellows device and the technology itself."

"When leaving, he encouraged Liu the blacksmith with a few words and, out of his own pocket, ordered several special ironware samples, saying he would take them back to the Ministry of Works for research."

After hearing this, Chen Wen lightly tapped his fingers on the table.

The involvement of a Ministry of Works official suggests that the speed of technological dissemination may increase, but also that the risk level rises.

"Regarding this person, can the Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping line learn more?"

"It is being investigated."

Zhang Cheng replied.

"Preliminarily understood, this Zhou Huaian seems to be an oddity in the False Song's Ministry of Works."

"He comes from no prominent background; it is said he rose through solid work and mastery of the principles of craftsmanship."

"His disposition is somewhat … bookishly naïve, not adept at ingratiating himself, interested only in the technology itself; his reputation among peers is passable, but he is said not to be favored by superiors, and this external dispatch for inspection counts as a hardship posting."

Chen Wen seemed lost in thought.

He closed his eyes, focused his spirit, and once again activated Shi Yong.

His mind and spirit passed through the light curtain, heading toward the direction of False Song's Hebei West Circuit.

That light point in Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping County remained active.

More importantly, he vaguely sensed that in the area originally empty, which represented the False Song Ministry of Works system, a brand‑new, faint but unusually pure light point was slowly lighting up.

This light point differed from the kind he had previously sensed in Kou Zhun's "great trend" light point, which concerned the nation's fortune;

and it was utterly unlike the grassroots light point of Liu the blacksmith, which carried the meanings of "unwillingness" and "struggle for survival".

It exuded a unique "texture"—focused and pure, imbued with a passion for the craft itself, almost free of any desire for power or stray thoughts.

It was like…… an uncarved jade stone hidden beneath the silt of the bureaucratic system.

Chen Wen opened his eyes, a flash of realization crossing his gaze.

"Shi Yong" once again confirmed the intelligence.

This Zhou Huaian was indeed a special existence.

"My lord, is this person's appearance a blessing or a calamity?"

Wang Ru asked cautiously.

"Misfortune may be what fortune rests upon; fortune may be what misfortune leans on."

Chen Wen spoke slowly.

"Ministry of Works officials are getting involved, the spread of technology is accelerating, and the Iron Crow Army has indeed seen the risk of this matter increase."

"But on the other hand……

His eyes glimmered slightly.

"If we could, through this person, introduce better technology into the False Song's official system in a 'reasonable' way, its influence and spread would be incomparable to that of a tiny little forge."

"This Zhou Huaian might perhaps become…… an unexpected pawn."

Zhang Cheng immediately understood Chen Wen's intention.

"What my lord means is, taking this opportunity, to establish contact with this Zhou Huaian? To carry out deeper technological infiltration?"

"The time has not yet come."

Chen Wen shook his head.

"What is this person's nature—is he sincerely devoted to technology, or does he have other motives? This still needs observation."

"Whether he has any connection with the Iron Crow Army is also a key point needing verification."

"For now, we only need to watch and wait."

"Let the Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping front increase its investigation into this person, focusing on confirming his background and personal connections, especially any possible ties with the Iron Crow Army."

"At the same time, closely monitor developments within the False Song Ministry of Works to see what ripples the technology brought back by this Zhou Huaian will stir."

"As for that Liu the blacksmith……

Chen Wen paused.

"He remains an important node for us."

"Notify Zhao the old lazy one; we can prepare the second batch of 'seeds.'"

"The varieties can be more diverse, but we must still follow the principle of 'conforming to the age, slight optimization, not easily traceable.'"

"Yes!"

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru replied in unison.

Unexpectedly, officials of the False Song Ministry of Works were drawn in—is this a risk or an opportunity?

Chen Wen walked to the window, gazing toward the direction of the light curtain.

The progress of the plan is always accompanied by variables.

And within those variables, the key to breaking a deadlock is often hidden.

That Ministry of Works clerk named Zhou Huaian, together with the pure light of technology on his person, might very well be the next "Fortune Momentum light point" that needs careful examination and guidance.

The spark has already ignited among the populace; next, can we ride the momentum to send this fire seed onto what appears to be an iron‑clad hall of the court?