Chapter 16: An Yang

“Son, you truly have talent,” Li Yulong finally said to Li Xian after a long pause.

“Hehe,” Li Xian responded with a silly grin, unsure of what to say.

Li Yulong then turned to Xu Ren, “This kid is in your hands now.”

“Rest assured, Sir Li. As a strategist, we have principles and ethical standards we must adhere to,” Xu Ren replied.

Li Yulong nodded and then addressed Li Xian, “Listen carefully. An Yang is not a good place. Our Great Xia Country is already on the edge of the Immortal Realm, with the east close to the sea and the northeast bordering the demon territory.

An Yang is located on the east by the sea, with the northeast near the demon territory, and the northwest borders the State of Cai.

While An Yang is nominally a state of Great Xia, in reality, we only control a county there. So, even though you are a governor, your actual authority is less than that of an ordinary school officer.

Moreover, when you arrive in An Yang, remember to meet the state governor of An Yang, who is your elder brother, Li Liang.

Haha, you and your elder brother were both sent away by that old man Wang Chuan.”

At the end of his speech, Li Yulong wore a mysterious smile.

After the reprimand, Li Yulong arranged for the relocation of the workshop. Specifically, it was the personnel and relevant items from the workshop that were to be moved. All traces of research were to be removed. What couldn’t be moved, Li Xian ruthlessly destroyed. The workshop would return to Li Youwei’s control, who would gather new staff and continue the previous work.

Additionally, Song Xing and the others from the yamen followed Li Xian, officially becoming the first batch of his private soldiers. This was something to be pleased about.

Before leaving, Li Xian had a small farewell gathering with his friends. Yuan Zhao, who was half a year younger than Li Xian, cried inconsolably, which deeply moved Li Xian. However, Yuan Zhao’s comment made Li Xian’s emotions disappear into thin air. Yuan Zhao said, “Xian, now that you’re leaving, I won’t be able to find a younger brother older than me.”

Fuming, Li Xian chased Yuan Zhao around the courtyard. Finally, Li Xian gave his three younger brothers an important task—acquiring textile materials such as cotton, hemp, silk, and ramie. As long as the price didn’t exceed market value by more than 20%, it was acceptable. The three brothers confidently promised to ensure not a single silkworm would be left in Great Xia!

In the afternoon, Li Xian led a convoy of over 300 people heading northeast. Along the way, the group chatted incessantly, treating the migration like a tour; many who were leaving the capital for the first time were excited beyond measure.

Along the journey, Li Xian admired Xu Ren’s strategic acumen, while Xu Ren was astonished by Li Xian’s numerous unconventional ideas. Now, Xu Ren had acquired a new item from Li Xian—a feather fan, which Xu Ren had grown quite fond of and now couldn’t seem to put down.

However, as they traveled, Li Xian began to see a side of the world starkly different from what he had known in Wuyang City—desolation. Especially after leaving Wuyang City for five hundred miles, the signs of decay became increasingly evident. Although fields were full of crops, there were starving refugees on the roadside, some reduced to eating leaves and tree bark, and disputes often broke out among them.

“Do you see this?” Xu Ren stood up, distributing some snacks and other items to the surrounding refugees, his tone somber.

Li Xian was silent for a long time before speaking softly, “When a country is on the brink of collapse, there are bound to be disasters. It’s not just natural disasters but man-made ones that are often worse.”

“Indeed,” Xu Ren suddenly turned to Li Xian, “Li Xian, do you think technology can really ensure that everyone is fed?”

“Do you think the current Li Xian is someone who talks grandly without substance?” Li Xian responded.

“Haha…” Xu Ren laughed heartily.

Seeing Xu Ren’s reaction, Li Xian couldn’t help but ask, “Why is Mr. Xu so concerned about the suffering of the world? From what I’ve seen and heard, many so-called cultivators only care about themselves, about whether they can attain immortality and ascend to heaven.”

Xu Ren gazed at the refugees in the distance with a hint of reflection, “In life, one must find something meaningful to do, at least to prove that they have existed.

And now, cultivation is divided into two schools. One is the traditional way, called the ‘Out-of-World Method,’ where practitioners live in seclusion and solitary exploration.

The other is our new school of thought, known as the ‘Into-the-World Method,’ where we grow through practical experience. Being a strategist is our form of cultivation.”

“I see,” Li Xian understood the general idea.

As the convoy continued its journey, the mood grew increasingly somber. They encountered several instances of bandits—if a group of people with wooden sticks and ragged clothes could be called bandits.

“Is this due to the selling of official positions?” Li Xian suddenly felt a kind of anxiety in his heart.

“No,” Xu Ren replied in a clear and resonant voice, “Li Xian, your father is a good official, truly. You might not know this, but if your father hadn’t intervened, the Great Xia would already be in chaos. The Wang family you offended is the real traitor, and they are also a powerful external faction.

In fact, it is because of your father’s selling of official positions that many people with the ability and inclination to rebel have been brought into the fold. He has also collected immense wealth from them to support the operation of the Great Xia.

So, your father is indeed a capable minister. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to find you.

However, the practice of selling official positions and drawing people in is just a temporary solution. It can buy you fifteen years at most, but it will not last much longer.

So, you only have a maximum of five years for secure development.”

“Five years? That’s enough!” Li Xian’s eyes brightened, and the anxiety in his heart vanished. It turns out his father is indeed a capable minister, not a traitor; it's just that ordinary people don't understand.

Knowing the time is tight and seeing the disaster situation along the way, Li Xian’s determination grew stronger, and he immediately urged the team to advance faster.

Along the way, Li Xian and the others discussed many mechanical issues, including the simple yet marvelous thing called screws. Previously, issues like links were addressed using formations and spells, but for large-scale production in the future, screws will still be needed. Now that there is a basic machine tool, mass production of screws and nuts has become possible.

The team finally crossed more than 1,500 miles in five or six days and arrived at the most remote An Yang.

“The scent of the sea!” Li Xian felt an inexplicable sense of anticipation in his heart. The sea is truly a treasure trove! At least in the memory of his soul from Earth, the sea equates to treasure.

After entering the territory of An Yang, Li Xian was surprised to find that there were no longer any refugees here, and the people working in the fields were not the emaciated types. Many even had a faint aura of cultivation.

“This is the land reclamation system. The entire An Yang belongs to the border defense area, and here we implement the land reclamation system. Those farmers are actually soldiers.”

“I see.”

After advancing another twenty miles or so, Li Xian finally saw the grand and majestic city of An Yang; at a glance, it was not much inferior to the imperial capital.

In front of the city, a young man dressed in a blue robe was leading the way. Before Li Xian could speak, the young man shouted, “Xian弟 (little brother), come over here! Did you bring any good stuff?”

Hearing the term “Xian弟,” Li Xian felt a burst of frustration; you’re my older brother, why not call me ‘little brother’? It’s rather embarrassing to be addressed as “Xian弟” by peers and “Xian侄” (nephew) by elders. It feels like my esteemed title has been dragged down a few notches.

“Haha…” The young man took a few steps to Li Xian and gave his shoulder a hearty slap, “Not bad, it’s only been two years, and you’ve changed so much. Come on, come on, we’ve already prepared your accommodation; we’ve been waiting for you.”

“Brother, ease up a bit,” Li Xian grimaced in pain; his older brother, Li Liang, was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and those slaps were quite forceful.

“Don’t change the subject; quickly tell me if you brought any good stuff. If you didn’t bring anything, I’ll be quite upset.”

“Brother, you’re the one changing the subject. Besides, which brother greets another with a demand for gifts first?” Li Xian immediately tagged his older brother as a “极品” (top-notch) character.

Li Liang whispered in Li Xian’s ear, “Stainless steel.”

I see, so Dad’s stuff was given to you. “Don’t worry, brother. There will be cakes and carriages, but you’ll have to give me some time.”

“With your word, I’m reassured. Let’s go, let’s go. To welcome you and clean the dust, I specially ventured into the monster territory and caught several beasts. Today, I guarantee you’ll have a great feast. Starting tomorrow, let’s quickly set up the workshop.”

“I knew there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

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