Chapter 790: Civilization's Fire Seed

The morning in the north-facing city began in an almost rigid routine.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood on the terrace of the second floor of Clearing Heart Pavilion, silently gazing for a long time.

Xu Da and Tang He stood behind him; their eyes shifted from initial shock to heavy contemplation.

"Let's go." Zhu Yuanzhang turned, "Let's go into the city to have a look."

They did not ride in that kind of yuan-less cart, but went on foot.

Zhang Cheng sent a young clerk to accompany them, named Lu Wen.

Lu Wen's words and deeds were respectful; he constantly addressed them as "Your Majesty," "General Xu," and "General Tang."

Such address seemed somewhat out of place in the foreign air, but Zhu Yuanzhang did not correct it.

He knew this was a kind of probe, and also a courtesy to keep distance.

They first went to the nearest public canteen.

The spacious, bright hall had neat tables and chairs.

People queued to receive uniform meals.

"Is it like this every day?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lu Wen replied, "The canteen menu is uniformly formulated by the Ministry of People's Livelihood, consistent throughout the city."

They then went to the outskirts of the workshop area.

Through the huge glazed windows, the interior scene could be seen.

The potential-energy-driven hammer rose and fell rhythmically.

Upon returning to Clearing Heart Pavilion, Yue Fei could barely get out of bed, coming forward accompanied by Gongsun Sheng.

His complexion remained pale, but his eyes were sharp.

"Hongwu Emperor." Yue Fei clasped his fists in salute, using a more neutral honorific, his voice steady: "The rescue is over; all have arrived safely. I, Yue, have failed in commanding troops, suffered excessive losses, ashamed before my subordinates, and have also caused you alarm."

Zhu Yuanzhang solemnly returned the salute: "General, you opened the path with blood, your kindness is like a rebirth. The fallen and wounded all sacrificed their lives for the survival of Huaxia; I, Zhu, together with the survivors, will forever remember."

This was the first time he, in front of the Chen people, naturally referred to himself as "Zhu."

Yue Fei's eyes flickered with a tiny hint of realization; he slightly nodded: "Your Majesty, settle things well. The threat of the Iron Crow Army remains, dangers beyond the light curtain grow deeper; we must quickly join forces to respond."

"Exactly my intention." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "We still need the general and the Chen officials to give us more guidance."

"It's my duty." Yue Fei said.

In the afternoon, Chen Wen arrived again.

This meeting went deeper.

Chen Wen brought several scrolls of drawings and a few physical items.

"These are the foundations of our dynasty." Chen Wen pointed to the strange iron ingot and the potential-energy crystal.

Zhu Yuanzhang examined them carefully.

"Does the Ming Emperor also make use of such things on your side?" Chen Wen shifted to a neutral term, asking casually.

Zhu Yuanzhang's heart twitched slightly, his expression unchanged: "We happened upon this ore, knowing it can counter dark energy; we once ordered artisans to test-make weapons and set up purification fields, but we only knew it worked, not why, and its efficacy falls far short of yours."

Chen Wen did not press further, turning instead to point at the drawings.

Liu Ji was also present at the moment; he immediately stepped forward to ask for advice.

A glint of approval flashed in Chen Wen's eyes; he gestured for Lu Wen to hand Liu Ji a more basic theoretical volume.

He then turned to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Ming Emperor, integration is not a day's work. Your personnel may, according to interest and ability, enter various bureaus of the Heavenly Works Institute, the Ministry of People's Livelihood, and even the Northward Aspiration Army for observation and practice."

"At the same time, please allow the Ming Emperor to let our relevant officials consult General Xu and General Tang about their military systems and tactics, and consult Mr. Liu and the various artisans about their insights into investigating things."

"The two words 'Ming Emperor' acknowledge his imperial past while implying 'former dynasty,' and are more concise than 'Hongwu Emperor.'"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered briefly.

"All right." He nodded, accepting the title: "Then as Chen Wen said. Xu Da, Tang He, you two shall fully organize all the military knowledge you possess. Liu Ji, you shall lead your team to study it wholeheartedly, and also be frank in reporting."

"We obey your order!" Xu Da and the others replied, also naturally changing their manner of speech.

With the arrangements set, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.

Before Chen Wen left, he said: "The disturbances of the light curtain are gradually subsiding, but the seventh weak point has become a hidden danger. The dark-energy reaction of the Qing State continues to rise slowly. The next target of the Iron Crow Army goes without saying."

He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"We have little time."

"Integration and preparation require seizing every second."

Zhu Yuanzhang met his gaze.

"I know."

He used the word "I."

Chen Wen smiled slightly, clasped his hands, and departed.

In the days that followed, Clearing Heart Pavilion became busy.

Xu Da and Tang He daily held long talks with the Chen dynasty's Ministry of War and the Northward Aspiration Army's commanders.

At first the Chen commanders politely called them "General Xu" and "General Tang"; after a few days, the more familiar ones began to call them "Mr. Xu" and "Mr. Tang."

Xu Da and Tang He also gradually stopped referring to themselves as "this general" and more often used "Xu" and "Tang."

Liu Ji then led the artisans into the Heavenly Works Institute.

The Chen artisans initially addressed them as "Master Liu" and "all Ming State masters"; later they simply called them "Mr. Liu," "Master Wang," and "Master Li."

Liu Ji and his associates also gradually abandoned the old terms "this official" and "this institute."

When Zhu Yuanzhang himself visited various places, Lu Wen still respectfully addressed him as "Your Majesty," but some artisans and students in casual conversation would occasionally call him "Zhu Emperor" or directly "Mr. Zhu."

Zhu Yuanzhang accepted all of them calmly.

He privately told Xu Da and the others: "Staying here as guests, titles and courtesies are empty; there's no need to cling to them. Knowing it in your heart is enough."

After several more days, at a joint meeting discussing improvements to city defenses, a Chen Dynasty Ministry of Works official, while speaking, casually said: "... This matter still needs Lord Zhu to decide."

The hall fell slightly silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained composed, nodding and saying: "Please speak, Li Siye."

From then on, the title "Lord Zhu" gradually became customary in informal settings.

Zhu Yuanzhang himself usually referred to himself as either "I" or "Zhu Mou."

Only Xu Da, Tang He, Liu Ji and the other old retainers, in private, continued to address him as "Your Majesty," and Zhu Yuanzhang did not stop them.

This subtle change in address, like spring rain moistening the soil, was silent yet marked the beginning of a certain landing and integration.

The seed of civilization must both take root in new soil and shed part of its old shell.

At night, the lights inside the Clear Heart Pavilion are always lit.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da, Tang He, Liu Ji and others gathered.

"The Chen Dynasty's system indeed has its merits," Xu Da said, "but its people seem to lack some vigor. Should an unexpected major change occur, they might not be able to respond in time."

"Their potential-energy technology is profound and marvelous," Liu Ji said, "yet their path is utterly different from the one we have been exploring. It's as if they already knew the answer."

Zhu Yuanzhang listened, remaining silent.

His sense of unease grew stronger.

But for now, it is not the time to investigate deeply.

"No matter what its origin is," Zhu Yuanzhang finally said, "its power can be borrowed, its Way can be learned."

"The fire seed we bring is not meant to turn us into them."

"But to fuse our bone and blood with their metal and stone, to forge a new blade."

"To survive."

"To keep learning."

"And then..."

He did not finish speaking.

But everyone understood.

The fire seed has been buried.

It needs time.

But beyond the light curtain, the shadow of the dark energy continues to expand.

The will of the Iron Crow Army has never waned.

The hourglass is flowing.