Chapter 460

Chen Dynasty, separate villa, secret chamber.

The candlelight was bright, casting the silhouettes of the several guardians seated around the table onto the walls, swaying gently with the flames.

The air was permeated with a tranquility and latent momentum, after a long buildup, awaiting a stage summary.

Chen Wen's gaze swept slowly over Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Old Lazy Zhao.

Their faces remained youthful due to a reconstruction of their vital essence, but deep in their eyes lay the wisdom and vicissitudes accumulated over decades of storms and scheming.

"Gentlemen..."

Chen Wen spoke, his voice steady and clear, breaking the room's silence.

"Since we went underground and established the plan of 'micro-intervention, a spark that starts a prairie fire,' it has been over ten years."

"Today, I will give a summary."

He had no need to review the files; all progress was clear in his mind.

"Civil official infiltration—we have selected Li Yuan."

"He is upright and pragmatic, having risen from a junior official, gained Wang Dan's appreciation, been promoted to Langzhong of the Ministry of Works, and assigned to judge the Southern Bureau of the Ministry of Personnel."

"More importantly, around him has formed a small circle inclined toward pragmatism and concern for the people's livelihood."

"Although due to the Iron Crow Army's 'Yin Shadow' surveillance we actively reduced direct guidance, the seed has already been sown and its momentum will grow on its own."

"This is the infiltration of 'momentum,' rooted in people's hearts; the Iron Crow Army may struggle to detect its form, but will ultimately be affected by it."

Zhang Cheng nodded slightly and added:

"Li Yuan and his circle's clear awareness of the 'Heavenly Book' affair is one example; though unable to turn the tide, they have maintained a patch of clarity amidst the turbid current."

Chen Wen nodded and continued:

"Technological seeding has begun to show results."

"The improved agricultural tools have been promoted in parts of the False Song, yielding increased output, benefiting the populace, and prompting local officials to actively seek 'good laws,' thereby opening a wider door for our subsequent infiltration."

"Officials like Zhou Huai'an and Zheng He, though facing setbacks, remain undeterred and are still nails embedded within the False Song's system."

"The new batch of people-benefiting agricultural techniques screened by Old Lazy Zhao's unit is ready, awaiting a lull in the wind before we can deploy it opportunistically."

"This is the infiltration of 'material,' rooted in improving livelihoods, silently nourishing; even if the Iron Crow Army notices, it cannot be fully prevented."

Old Lazy Zhao interjected:

"The False Song's Ministry of Works is bloated, conservative forces entrenched, making new technology hard to push; yet precisely because of this, once a breakthrough occurs, its effect will be all the more pronounced."

"The economic plot has already been quietly set in motion."

Chen Wen looked toward Qian Gui.

"The South Wind Chronicle, in Jiangnan, has made small-scale purchases of raw silk and porcelain, with subtle movements that have drawn no attention."

"This aims to understand its economic operating context, sense its weak links, and accumulate knowledge for possible future economic contention."

"At the same time, it can accumulate funds for us to sustain our base operations."

Qian Gui said in a deep voice:

"The False Song's commercial taxes are convoluted, with clerks extracting layer upon layer; its economic body appears robust but internally suffers many blockages. This can indeed serve as a future exploitable gap."

Chen Wen's gaze turned to Shi Dun.

"There is also progress at sea and in the northern borders."

"The sea route has proven viable; we discovered the Flowing Jade Islands, expanding our dynasty's vision and strategic space, and the maritime trade fleet has successfully plied between Goryeo and Japan, bringing back intelligence and goods."

"The newly styled Sea-Suppressing class treasure ships have been launched one after another, steadily enhancing our naval power."

"In the northern borders, the emergence of Yelü Zongzhen brings new threats, yet also lets us clearly see the Khitan internal power shift and the rise of new capable commanders, prompting our dynasty to adjust its frontier strategy accordingly, daring not to slack in the slightest."

Shi Dun spoke in a deep, resonant voice:

"That little wolf cub of the Yelü family is indeed slippery, but our border troops are no vegetarians—perfect for using him to drill the troops!"

"And one of the most important gains," Chen Wen said with added emphasis, "is that through Shi Yong we have locked onto a new, immensely promising key node—the 'Wenqu' light point on the Jiangxi Route, closely tied to future great upheaval."

"Although he is still a child, his future will surely be a figure who stirs the winds and clouds of the False Song."

"Early marking, long-term observation—its significance is extraordinary."

Wang Ru said:

"The Jing'an Office has already assigned personnel to spread a net along the Jiangxi Route, especially around Linchuan, observing without interference and gathering his public information. So far all is peaceful; the Iron Crow Army seems not to have given him special attention."

Chen Wen concluded:

"In sum, civil officials, technology, economy, sea, northern borders, future nodes… our intervention has progressed from the 'spark' stage's sporadic probes into a deeper, more systemic, multidimensional 'undercurrent' stage."

"We are no longer merely point-like destroyers; we have become systemic infiltrators and future planners."

"The Iron Crow Army can sense the fluctuations and tighten surveillance, yet it is difficult to fundamentally curb this 'momentum' that arises from multiple layers and countless minute details converging."

He paused a moment, letting everyone digest his words, then shifted the tone.

"However, the Iron Crow Army is by no means an easy opponent."

"Its promotion of the 'Heavenly Book' bewitches people's hearts;"

"It mobilizes the 'Yin Shadow' to surveil civil officials;"

"It may even secretly manipulate sea pirates to probe and disturb the situation."

"Its authority, having been somewhat restored due to the False Song's completion of southern unification and the new emperor's accession, must not be underestimated."

"The next stage requires us, on the foundation of consolidating our current achievements, to be more cautious and also more proactive."

Chen Wen's finger, on the virtual map of the False Song's territory laid out on the table, pointed to several key locations.

"Li Yuan and his circle must be guided to turn their pragmatic spirit more toward structural problems within the False Song, such as clerks' abuses and fiscal difficulties, to accumulate strength and await the chance to speak out."

"Technological infiltration, once the 'Yin Shadow' surveillance eases, we will seize the opportunity to release a new batch of 'gifts,' continually stimulating its internal demand for reform."

"On the economic front, we will continue to deepen our understanding of the False Song's economic context, seeking its vital point."

"At sea, we will accelerate the exploration and utilization of the Flowing Jade Islands, consolidate the maritime trade routes, and enhance our naval strength."

Northern Frontier, tightly monitoring Yelü Zongzhen and Khitan movements, steadfastly defending the border.

As for that 'seed' in Jiangxi Circuit, we must exercise utmost patience, silently observe, record its growth, and wait for the moment it emerges.

His gaze turned sharp.

Most importantly, we must start laying out a more proactive, long‑term plan for the future reform node that is faintly linked to the sensed 'Literary Star' light point.

This may become a huge storm sweeping through the False Song court and countryside; we must seize advantageous positions beforehand, so that in this storm we can either ride the wind and break the waves, or… steer the wind and waves, destroying the 'script' that the Iron Crow Army seeks to preserve!

Inside the secret chamber, the candlelight crackled.

The guardians' gazes met, each seeing resolve and determination in the other's eyes.

The undercurrents have already converged, the consensus already reached.

Next, we will direct this silent undercurrent toward the predetermined direction, until… Shi Potian is startled.