Chapter 425

Chen dynasty, a quiet chamber in a separate villa.

Chen Wen held his breath, focused his mind, and sank his consciousness entirely into the profound and mysterious Shi Yong.

In the distance, the mirror-image realm isolated by the light curtain was no longer a chaos in his perception.

Instead, it was a vast and blurred scroll composed of countless light points and air currents, varying in brightness and endlessly flowing.

The Bianjing direction representing the core of the False Song Imperial Court, a dense and substantial golden-yellow Fortune Momentum was slowly rotating, beating like a heart, radiating invisible force outward, attempting to constrain and guide the direction of the entire scroll.

That was the dynasty's Fortune Momentum, continuously condensing and strengthening after the new emperor's ascension and the unification of the world.

Against this golden-yellow background, Chen Wen could perceive several relatively prominent light points.

In the Hebei direction, the light point representing the young Kou Zhun still shone stubbornly, although its brightness seemed slightly weaker than before, as if veiled by a thin gauze, but its foundation remained intact, indicating that the Iron Crow Army had not yet found an opportunity to carry out the "substitute" replacement, or had encountered some obstacle.

In the southern circuits, the originally scattered weak light points representing resistance will or the "thorn" seeds, after experiencing the "purge", had mostly been extinguished, the few remaining ones becoming extremely dim, deeply hidden, like remnants of candles in the wind.

In the area where the Ministry of Works office is located, the light point representing Zhou Huai'an was somewhat brighter than before and more stable, with surroundings seemingly attracting faint silver streams representing "technological innovation", slowly and firmly growing.

These were the fruits of the causes he had personally sown or influenced during his three previous infiltrations.

But at this moment, the vast majority of Chen Wen's attention was drawn to a newly risen, entirely new light point within Bianjing city.

The location of this light point was not in the imperial palace interior, nor in the key power centers such as the Privy Council and the Three Agencies, but faintly pointed toward the area where the Hanlin Academy and the Censorate gathered, a refined concentration of scholar-officials.

Its color was not the sharp, piercing hue of Kou Zhun, carrying an unrefined righteous vigor; nor was it the pragmatic, inward-looking hue of Zhou Huai'an, focused on the principles of objects.

But rather a warmer, more mellow yet equally firm cyan-green hue.

Within its flowing halo, it subtly emitted a connotation of "steadiness", "stability", and "adherence to ritual law".

It did not burst forth suddenly, but like a bamboo shoot quietly breaking through the soil in spring, it carried an undeniable vitality, slowly and firmly rising upward, gradually occupying a place within Bianjing's golden-yellow Fortune Momentum background.

Chen Wen's brows furrowed slightly, his mind focused even more, attempting to capture more information about this new light point.

The Shi Yong feedback remained vague, unable to reveal its specific identity, age, or deeds.

But he could clearly sense that this light point was closely related to "civil governance", its nature leaning toward maintaining order, upholding orthodoxy, and exerting influence silently like moistening things without sound.

"A new 'node'……"

Chen Wen murmured silently in his heart.

"In this False Song, with the new emperor's enthronement and the Fortune Momentum condensing and solidifying… is this a coincidence or inevitability?"

He recalled the information gathered by Zhang Cheng and others regarding the movements of the False Song Imperial Court.

After Zhao Heng (Song Zhenzong) ascended the throne, although he followed his father Zhao Guangyi's late-year policies, a new dynasty always brings a new atmosphere and needs to cultivate its own cadre.

The rise of this new light point may be related to this.

"Its momentum is warm and steady, markedly different from Kou Zhun's sharpness."

"If Kou Zhun is like a sword drawn from its sheath, capable of cleaving through confusion at critical moments;"

"then this child is like a cornerstone in the hall, steadily consolidating court order in daily affairs, influencing subtly."

Chen Wen secretly pondered.

"The 'historical script' upheld by the Iron Crow Army requires different roles in different periods to play different parts."

"Brave generals are used to expand territory, loyal ministers to correct the ruler's faults, and such steady, conservative ministers may serve to stabilize the new dynasty, rally the scholars' hearts, and lay the foundation of so-called 'peaceful rule'."

He could not determine exactly what specific role this person would play in the original "script", nor what pivotal events they would trigger.

But Shi Yong clearly told him that this person was important, an indispensable "variable" or "node" in the False Song's forthcoming historical trajectory.

"If one could make contact with this person and guide them……"

A thought gradually became clear in Chen Wen's mind.

"Perhaps, one could bury a deeper, more concealed pawn within the False Song scholar-official system."

"Not through direct confrontation or fierce resistance, but from within, subtly influencing its decision-making direction, so that unknowingly it makes choices more beneficial to our Chen dynasty, or at least reduces hostility."

He recalled the words he had previously said to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

The battlefield is not only on the open field, but also in the court.

This newly emerged light point undoubtedly provided him with an excellent target to practice this strategy.

Just as Chen Wen was deeply immersed in his perception, the door of the quiet chamber was lightly knocked.

"Your Majesty."

It was Zhang Cheng's voice.

Chen Wen gradually withdrew his mind; that marvelous perception receded like a tide, and the distant Fortune Momentum scroll faded in his mind as well.

"Come in."

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru entered together, both faces bearing a hint of solemnity and inquiry.

They had obviously also learned of some new developments on the False Song side through their own channels.

"Your Majesty,"

Zhang Cheng spoke first.

"False Song intelligence: Zhao Heng has formally changed the era name to 'Xianping', and issued an edict seeking candid advice, broadening channels of speech, showing signs of vigorous governance."

"There are also some subtle personnel changes in the court; some steadier officials familiar with regulations are beginning to be promoted."

Wang Ru added, her tone icy.

"According to observations from the South Wind Chronicle, the Iron Crow Army's activity frequency has recently decreased, but its surveillance of Bianjing, especially the scholar-official gathering areas, seems to have intensified."

"They seem to be…… ensuring some kind of 'smooth transition'."

Chen Wen nodded, not surprised by this information.

This corroborated what he had sensed through Shi Yong.

"I already know."

He said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the two core ministers.

"Furthermore, I have sensed a new Fortune Momentum light point, located within the scholar-official system of False Song Bianjing."

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru's spirits were lifted, and they immediately focused their attention.

"Oh? What are the characteristics of this light point?" Zhang Cheng pressed.

Warm and steady, observant of rites, related to civil governance, and rising steadily.

Chen Wen described it briefly and completely.

Its appearance coincides with the False Song emperor's ascension, era change, and the search for virtuous talents.

A flash of wisdom appeared in Zhang Cheng's eyes, and he quickly understood Chen Wen's intention.

My lord, are you considering… using this person as the target for the next stage of intervention?

Not bad.

Chen Wen affirmed.

Kou Zhun is like a sword, to be hidden in its sheath awaiting the right moment; Zhou Huaian is like a delicate instrument, to be subtly influenced and slowly permeated.

This person could serve as a 'stabilizing star'; if we can exert influence, we could silently steer the False Song court's direction, making its decisions less hostile toward us and more internally balanced.

Wang Ru analyzed calmly.

Contacting civil officials entails different risks than contacting technical clerks; they value background, reputation, and school more highly, are more vigilant, and are under Iron Crow Army surveillance.

We must devise an extremely meticulous plan; personnel, method, and timing all require utmost caution.

Chen Wen nodded.

This certainly requires long-term planning. Qian Gui's side needs to strengthen intelligence gathering on the False Song civil official system, especially newly promoted, steady officials.

Zhang Cheng, you are responsible for drafting the initial contact strategy, considering what identity and pretext to use for the most natural and secure approach.

Wang Ru, you will coordinate safety, assess risks, and ensure the operation does not expose our other hidden forces.

"We understand." Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru replied in unison.

The new target has been locked.

The Guardian's gaze shifted from the southern smoke and jianghu to the northern Bianjing court.

A contest unlike blade and sword, yet equally concerning the future, is about to quietly unfold within the False Song civil official system.

And Chen Wen could feel that, with this new strategic goal clarified and the series of plans targeting it underway, his intangible growth progress seemed to stir again.

Heaven rewards diligence—not just physical labor, but also mental effort and strategic planning.

Sparks grow brighter; dark currents will rise.