Chapter 448: with translation of chapter title

False Song, Bianjing.

Days of continuous overcast rain shrouded the capital in a damp, gray haze.

The blue‑stone pavement held shallow puddles that reflected the hurried silhouettes of passersby and the dim yellow lights of the shops on either side.

The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and vapor, oppressive enough to make breathing feel a little strained.

Li Yuan opened his oil-paper umbrella, stepped out of the Ministry of Personnel office, and walked home along the familiar street.

The lower hem of his official robe was inevitably splashed by rain, leaving it damp and a bit uncomfortably sticky.

He habitually glanced toward the "Pure Tone Studio" tea house he often visited.

In the past, when his duties were light at this time of day, he would sometimes go in for a brief sit, happen to meet the eloquent Brother Lu, share tea and idle talk, exchange views on the situation, and always gain something from it.

But this time, his steps merely paused slightly before he continued onward.

Slanting rain threads blurred the familiar lantern at the tea house's entrance.

He recalled the unsigned short note he had received a few days earlier.

It was Lu Ming's customary covert method of communication.

It contained only a few brief lines, yet the tone carried an unprecedented gravity: "Recent wind and rain are fierce, eyes and ears many; for now avoid public meetings. Elder brother, take care, prioritize practical matters, and wait quietly for clear skies."

No explanation, no extra words.

Li Yuan understood instantly.

Though he served in the officialdom and disliked scheming, he was not oblivious to the direction of the wind.

Lately, the Bureau of Astronomy has been raising the pitch about the Heavenly Script; His Majesty's fasting has grown ever more devout, and rumors whisper in the palace of plans to erect a dedicated venue to welcome the Heavenly Script.

At the same time, he faintly sensed that a few furtive glances had begun to linger around him.

Among colleagues, some who once dared to speak frankly have lately fallen silent as well.

In the office, whenever the Heavenly Script or the eastern border's light curtain came up in conversation, the atmosphere would turn slightly delicate.

Lu Ming's reminder was just right.

"Wind and rain are fierce, eyes and ears many..."

Li Yuan silently repeated those words in his mind, tightening his grip on the umbrella.

"It seems someone dislikes the pragmatic trend and does not wish to hear differing voices."

He did not feel neglected because of Lu Ming's sudden distancing.

Instead, a sense of mutual understanding and camaraderie among kindred spirits welled up.

This Brother Lu must have sensed great danger, which is why he cautioned me so carefully.

He noted this bond.

"Also good."

Li Yuan gazed at the hazy outline of his own residence through the rain‑filled distance, and his heart unexpectedly steadied.

"I was never fond of socializing; staying indoors to read and handle affairs practically suits me just fine."

"As for those vain pursuits… let's see how long they can keep making a fuss."

He resolved that, aside from necessary official engagements, he would minimize going out to visit friends and attend gatherings.

He would devote more energy to his core work in the Southern Directorate of the Ministry of Personnel—verifying documents, screening officials—these concrete tasks are the foundation.

As for Lu Ming, he believed that once the winds calmed, there would naturally be a time to resume their friendly chats.

Thinking this, Li Yuan's steps grew steady and resolute as he trudged through the standing water toward his own private realm, a place where he could temporarily shut out the world's wind and rain.

Chen dynasty, a private villa.

The Guardians' meeting reconvened.

The atmosphere was more solemn than before.

Wang Ru reported the latest situation first:

"The surveillance network of False Song Bianjing has indeed tightened."

"Our buried moles report that at least three Shade Wraiths are active in key zones, their surveillance covering Li Yuan's residence, the homes of several of his close colleagues, and the tea house where they occasionally gathered."

"Our two Grade‑B liaison points in Bianjing, lying on the edge of the surveillance net, have gone into deep silence as ordered."

"Lu Ming has also cut off direct contact with Li Yuan, switching to one‑way receipt of our intermittently dispensed encrypted messages."

Zhang Cheng interjected:

"On the False Song court front, as His Majesty's enthusiasm for the Heavenly Script grows daily, voices of opposition or reservation have been somewhat suppressed."

"Lord Li Hang has spoken bluntly several times, already drawing His Majesty's displeasure."

"Lord Wang Dan, the chief minister, is more accommodating, trying to find a balance between following heavenly will and handling practical affairs, but he clearly also bears considerable pressure."

"The pragmatic circle we guided Li Yuan to form has, under the present high‑pressure environment, spontaneously reduced public discussion, shifting to more private, small‑scale exchanges."

Qian Gui added the technical update:

"In the Ministry of Works, Zhou Huaian's submitted design sketch for a 'self‑cleaning water gate' was rejected by superiors on the grounds that it 'labors the people and wastes wealth, a frivolous trick.'"

"It appears the Iron Crow Army's surveillance and the resistance of conservative forces have indeed hindered the rollout of new technology."

"However, the improved agricultural tools that have already spread, being genuinely effective, are still slowly being promoted at the grassroots—a piece of good news."

Zhao Lao Nian scratched his head:

"Those new 'gifts' we've prepared look like they'll need to be kept close a while longer."

Shi Dun turned his attention elsewhere:

"On the Khitan side of the northern frontier, Yeliu Xiuge's nephew, Yeliu Zongzhen, has again been leading a small detachment to loiter along the border, causing a few more minor skirmishes."

"On the False Song side, attention being drawn to the Heavenly Script has left the borders undermanned, which is hardly good."

Chen Wen listened quietly to everyone's reports, his fingers lightly tapping the chair back.

Summed up, the situation is clear.

The Iron Crow Army intensified its surveillance, mainly targeting the civil official system and their possible channels of technological infiltration.

Within the False Song, due to the "Heavenly Book" incident, the pragmatic faction came under pressure, and a trend of exaggeration began to rise.

"Everyone, the situation is now clear."

Chen Wen spoke slowly, his voice steady.

"The Iron Crow Army has already become alert and has spread its net."

"If we now forcefully advance with high-risk infiltration, it would be no different from throwing ourselves into a net."

He glanced over everyone.

"Therefore, I have decided that, at this stage, preserving our existing achievements is the top priority."

"Suspend all new infiltration activities that might draw the Iron Crow Army's attention."

"Especially the direct guidance and contact with Li Yuan and his circle must be stopped."

"Regarding technological infiltration, temporarily halt the deployment of new 'gifts,' allowing the seeds already sown to grow slowly in the soil on their own."

"Your lordship is wise."

Zhang Cheng nodded in agreement.

"To avoid its sharpness is the best strategy."

"The seeds we previously sowed, whether technology or people's hearts, have already taken root."

"As long as the roots continue, even if growth is slow, there will eventually be a day they break through the soil."

"Forcibly watering now might instead invite suppression."

Wang Ru also said:

"Let our people remain completely silent, lie low, and wait for the wind to pass."

"The Iron Crow Army's 'Yingying' cannot possibly maintain this high-intensity surveillance forever."

"Their resources and attention will eventually shift."

"Then, are we to do nothing at all now?"

Shi Dun asked, his tone somewhat stifled.

"Looking over, the False Song side is mired in corruption, while the Khitan people to the north are restless."

Chen Wen shook his head.

"It is not that we do nothing."

"But rather, we redirect our strength toward safer, less detectable directions."

"The maritime trade route has just been opened and needs to be consolidated and expanded."

"The movements of the Khitan in the northern borders need close monitoring, and we must strengthen our own frontier defenses."

"Moreover..."

He paused.

"That newly sensed 'Wenqu' light point on the Jiangxi Route, though faint, represents an important future node."

"We can gather related information through more peripheral and covert means, silently observe its growth, without needing to rush into contact."

He looked at everyone, his tone firm.

"Only in weighing choices does wisdom appear."

"Today's retreat is to advance more effectively tomorrow."

"The Iron Crow Army wants to use high pressure to force us to surface, but we prefer to sink into deeper waters."

"Let them waste their strength against what appears to be a calm surface."

The meeting ended, and everyone departed with their orders.

Chen Wen walked alone to the courtyard.

After the rain, the sky cleared somewhat; a new moon hung on the horizon, shedding its clear radiance.

He gazed westward, his eyes seeming to cross thousands of mountains and rivers, seeing that imperial capital, restless amid a false aura of auspiciousness.

He also saw those who, under high pressure, remained clear-minded, silently tilling their respective posts—the "seeds."

"Li Yuan…… Zhou Huaian…… and those 'light points' we have never met yet have left impressions in our hearts……"

Chen Wen silently chanted in his heart.

"Persist."

"Though the undercurrent is slow, it will eventually gather into an unstoppable flood."

He believed that this temporary sacrifice is for a greater harvest in the future.

This present silence is accumulating the strength to break the shackles.