Chapter 446: with translation of chapter title

False Song, Bianjing, Li Yuan's mansion study.

A wisp of tea fragrance curled, dispelling the slight stuffiness of an early summer evening.

Lu Ming and Li Yuan sat opposite each other, but the atmosphere was not as purely leisurely as before.

Li Yuan frowned slightly, playing with a plain porcelain teacup in his hand, his gaze somewhat wandering, clearly preoccupied.

Brother Pingfu, you seem worried?

Lu Ming took a light sip of tea, asking in a gentle tone.

He naturally knew what Li Yuan was worried about; his coming today was precisely to carry out the order from the other side of the light curtain.

Li Yuan sighed and set down his teacup.

Not hiding it from you, Brother Lu, the court has been arguing nonstop lately over that "Heavenly Book" matter.

His Majesty actually heeded the words of the Bureau of Astronomy and began fasting and waiting in stillness.

This move... truly is worrisome.

He looked at Lu Ming, his eyes showing confusion seeking agreement.

Brother, you have always been exceptionally perceptive; what do you think—can this Heavenly Book claim really be trusted?

Lu Ming felt certain in his heart, knowing the opportunity had arrived.

His expression turned solemn, he set down his teacup, and his voice was clear and steady.

Brother Pingfu, heavenly signs are remote and unfathomable.

The auspicious signs recorded in histories are a mix of true and false, mostly contrived.

Those who govern should prioritize human affairs and cultivate virtuous governance; this is an timeless principle.

He paused, his gaze locking onto Li Yuan, his tone intensifying.

Especially now, the light curtain over the eastern border is obscure, its coming and going related to the nation's fate, yet still beyond investigation.

Faced with such genuine phenomena, we must be pragmatic throughout, clarify benefits and harms, strengthen border defenses, and pacify the people's hearts.

If we abandon the root for the branches, becoming obsessed with illusory auspicious signs, it will not only be useless but harmful!

Once this trend begins, fawning flatterers will surely swarm in, wasting the national treasury, corrupting morale, and causing endless trouble!

These words were more direct and sharp than any previous discussion.

Like a basin of cold water, it was poured onto Li Yuan's heart, which was somewhat anxious from confusion.

Li Yuan's body trembled slightly; his bewildered eyes quickly cleared, replaced by a clear conviction.

What you say, Brother, is truly golden advice, capable of awakening the deaf!

Li Yuan struck the rhythm in praise, his face showing a sudden enlightened expression.

Correct! The unresolved light curtain over the eastern border is the true heartfelt concern!

Rather than hoping for heavenly scriptures, it is better to govern solidly, strengthen the military, and enrich the people!

Minister Li (Li Hang) recently expressed the same view in court!

Seeing Li Yuan's reaction, Lu Ming knew the guidance had taken effect.

He said no more, timely shifting the topic to discuss the recent rubbings of earlier dynasties' steles he had read.

But the seed named "Awakening" had already taken deep root in Li Yuan's heart.

A few days later, at the Chen dynasty's separate villa.

Chen Wen, in seated meditation, once again sank his mind into the profound realm of Shi Yong.

He deliberately avoided the False Song Bianjing cluster that, due to the "Heavenly Book," remained somewhat twisted and turbulent in its Fortune Momentum vortex.

He expanded and extended his perception, directing it toward those broader, more tranquil prefectures and counties.

Suddenly, several faint yet pure and vibrant ripples of Fortune Momentum attracted his attention.

These ripples did not originate from the center of power, but were scattered across several prefectures in the Dongjing and Xijing circuits.

Their aura was gentle and upward, carrying the fragrance of earth and the joy of growing grain.

They were starkly different from Bianjing's frivolous vortex.

This is...

Chen Wen's heart stirred slightly as he carefully sensed the information fragments contained in those ripples.

A vague image flashed in his mind: heavy ears of wheat, a farmer's genuine smile, the satisfaction of local officials upon receiving commendation documents...

Indeed, it is the improved agricultural implements previously disseminated via the South Wind Chronicle and channels such as Zhou Huainan...

Chen Wen immediately understood.

It seems results are already beginning to show.

Almost at the same moment, Zhang Cheng entered briskly with the latest intelligence.

Your Majesty, good news!

Zhang Cheng's tone carried a hint of excitement not easily noticed.

Definite news has come from the False Song's Xijing and Dongjing circuits: the several new-style plows and harrows promoted last year and this spring have achieved clear yield increases in trial fields!

An increase of roughly fifty percent to one hundred percent!

Although not astonishing, in ordinary years it is already enough to save countless lives!

Officials of the relevant prefectures and counties have consequently received top evaluations from the Ministry of Personnel or have been commended.

Chen Wen's mouth corner curled up slightly.

Good!

This is what a genuine auspicious sign truly is!

How effective is it? What reaction has the False Song court had?

Zhang Cheng replied:

The effect was quite noticeable.

Especially the improved version of the curved‑shaft plow, which saves labor and gives better deep‑tillage results, is extremely popular among farmers.

The False Song Ministry of Works has issued an order, directing the relevant prefectures and counties to summarize experience and prepare for broader promotion.

More importantly, this matter has caused quite a stir among the local officials of the False Song.

Many officials who originally looked down on such 'frivolous tricks' or took a wait‑and‑see attitude, upon seeing their peers rewarded for introducing 'good methods', also became interested and began actively inquiring of the Works Ministry or acquainted technical officials, seeking similar 'good methods' that could boost their political achievements and benefit the locality.

Oh?

Chen Wen's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

In other words, we have unintentionally opened a wider door for the subsequent penetration of technology?

Exactly so!

Zhang Cheng affirmed.

Previously, the spread of technology relied mostly on our active distribution, or on the difficult promotion by individual discerning figures such as Zhou Huainan.

Now, demand is beginning to arise spontaneously from within the False Song bureaucratic system.

This undoubtedly greatly lowers the threshold and risk for our subsequent actions.

Excellent!

Chen Wen clapped his hands.

This is the momentum of a spark starting a prairie fire!

Have Zhao Lao Nian come over.

Not long after, Zhao Lao Nian hurried over, still carrying the workshop's smoky aroma.

Chen Wen informed him of the situation on the False Song side.

Zhao Lao Nian rubbed his hands, a simple yet shrewd smile appearing on his dark face.

My lord, this is a good thing!

Since they want 'good methods', we'll give them more!

But we must pick suitable ones to give.

He pondered briefly, then spoke as if recounting family treasures:

Next, we could consider selecting some improved grain seed selection and moisture‑retention techniques, or more efficient spinning wheels and loom diagrams.

These things have a low technical threshold, are easy to promote, show quick results, and can genuinely improve people's livelihoods, thereby accumulating… accumulating the manpower of the False Song.

He almost let slip, but quickly corrected himself.

Most importantly, these technologies are rooted in agriculture and handicrafts, solid and dependable, and can counter the frivolous atmosphere brought by the 'Heavenly Script'!

Chen Wen nodded in approval.

Just as you said.

Select a batch as soon as possible and send it over through various channels in a steady and secure manner.

Note: better slow than rash.

Although the Iron Crow Army mainly focuses on promoting their 'Heavenly Script' spectacle, its surveillance of the technological field may not be lax.

I understand, sir!

Zhao Lao Nian responded solemnly.

I will surely choose the steadiest and least conspicuous way.

After Zhao Lao Nian received the order and departed, Chen Wen closed his eyes again.

His mind swept over the unpleasant Fortune Momentum vortex in False Song's Bianjing, feeling the faint yet tenacious ripples of vitality in the distant prefectures and counties.

On one side is the artificial, surface‑level clamor of 'Heaven's Mandate';

on the other side is the quiet, down‑to‑earth growth rooted in the soil.

Which is better and which worse needs no explanation.

The Iron Crow Army seeks to fix the cosmos with illusion……

Chen Wen snorted coldly in his heart.

But I will use these countless seemingly tiny 'good method' seeds to break through the earth and ultimately burst the script you have painstakingly maintained.

He seemed to see, across the vast False Song land, specks of green sprouts stubbornly breaking through the compacted soil.

They appear insignificant, yet they harbor the tremendous power to transform the land.

This power stems from the instinct for survival and from the yearning for a better life.

It is far from being extinguished by a few empty words of 'Heaven's Will'.

The sprouting of the seeds is soundless and silent.

Yet it foreshadows a more profound, more fundamental transformation that is quietly gathering strength beneath the undercurrents.