Early in the morning, Li Daoxuan sat before the crate, holding a bamboo stear of dumplings. Just as he had tossed a dumpling into his mouth, cheers erupted from the artisans’ well: “We succeeded! We finally succeeded!”
Turning toward the sound, he saw three little figures dancing with excitent at the center of the artisans’ well.
Li Daoxuan pulled out a magnifying glass and scrutinized their faces for a long while but didn’t recognize them or recall their nas.
As he debated whether to summon Gao Yiye for clarification, Artisan Master Gao Yiyi erged and grumbled at the trio: “What are you three yelling about at this hour?”
The three bead: “Master Artisan, we succeeded! The recipe for celestial mud the Deity gave us—we’ve finally made it!”
This jolted Li Daoxuan’s mory. Previously, Xing Honglang had marveled at how convenient cent roads would be for trade if spread everywhere, so he presented the cent formula for the little people to experint with. They’d succeeded faster than expected.
Well, the ancient cent recipe was uncomplicated—only requiring listone, clay, and water. With him providing direct instructions, their swift progress made sense.
Gao Yiyi asked curiously: “The celestial mud worked? Show .”
The three masons presented a small box containing a solid, dried block of cent.
Gao Yiyi tapped it: “Fine work. It truly worked.”
He felt pleased, though not to the extent Li Daoxuan did. Limited by his era, he didn’t grasp the significance of “achieving a scientific invention.”
“You three fulfilled the Deity’s task and deserve great reward.” Gao Yiyi exercised his authority as master artisan: “I shall report to the Three Managers later and grant each of you a hundred catties of pork.”
The masons rejoiced—a hundred catties of pork already felt like imnse wealth to them.
But Li Daoxuan thought: This isn’t enough! Even though I gave the formula and helped them cheat, these three masons still achieved a major scientific breakthrough. A re hundred catties of pork can’t suffice—they must receive extraordinary rewards to create an example. All villagers must know “invention can transform your destiny.”
This was vital!
Western science once surged ahead of the East precisely because inventors received imnse wealth, social status, and respect.
Eastern scientists creating innovations went unnoticed and unrewarded.
Naturally, research motivation differed.
That allowed the West to bend ahead and maintain technological dominance for centuries.
It seed his silver chain had to make another appearance.
The silver ring taken from it still wasn’t wholly cut. Two tiny beads had been clipped for Teacher Mr. Wang, and several more for the bookshop—yet only a minuscule notch existed on the chain.
Snip—snip—snip. Three more small silver beads fell away.
He shifted his focus to the watchtower: “Yiye, are you awake?”
“Oh! The Deity calls !” Gao Yiye pattered out of her room and dashed onto the balcony, gazing skyward.
Li Daoxuan sensed sothing odd about her face. Zooming in, he spotted dark circles under her eyes—she clearly hadn’t slept. “What happened?”
Gao Yiye: “Well… hehe… This little girl… stayed up drawing last night.”
Li Daoxuan: “…”
Gao Yiye: “After reading the Yang Family Generals comic book the Deity bestowed, I found it so charming I wanted to illustrate a story myself. I got carried away drawing by lamplight until dawn.”
Li Daoxuan stifled a laugh. Understandable—everyone had hobbies, and drawing was harmless. No need for interference.
“Can you still work?”
“I can!” The girl bounced energetically. “See? I’m wide awake and always ready for the Deity’s tasks!”
“Very well. Here are three silver beads. Have Thirty-Two retrieve them. Soon Gao Yiyi will report the masons’ success to Thirty-Two. Direct Thirty-Two to reward them lavishly and proclaim them ‘Research Models’ throughout the village. Henceforth, anyone making major inventions shall be richly compensated.”
Gao Yiye morized this and pattered downstairs to find Thirty-Two.
That girl truly brimd with energy.
Li Daoxuan suddenly wondered: What was she drawing? I’m tempted to peek…
No!
Snooping was improper.
Soon after, Gao Yiye delivered the ssage.
Thirty-Two fully “grasped the divine intent” and energized the villagers: once work concluded that day, all must gather at Gaojia Fortress’ entrance for an awards ceremony at dusk.
…
Leading Xu Dafu, the lamp maker, and thirty-eight subordinates, Xing Honglang journeyed from dawn till dusk, finally returning to Gaojia Village by nightfall.
The salt smugglers cheered wearily at distant fortress walls: “We’ve arrived! Ti for proper rest!”
Xing Honglang touched the thick-bladed large knife on her back, her lips quirking briefly before she turned sober. “We’re here!” she told the two artisans. “Your skills will earn you fortunes here.”
Having witnessed Xing Honglang’s capabilities en route, they trusted her sowhat. But as re craftsn, could they truly prosper?
Xu Dafu peered ahead: “This village is huge!”
The lamp maker agreed: “These structures suggest over a thousand residents.”
Coming from Xi’an Prefecture—a colossal tropolis—they dismissed the village’s bustle. Even with a thousand residents, wealth seed unlikely.
A road construction crew passed nearby.
Workers waved at Xing Honglang: “Brave woman! You’re back again! Ha! Excellent! I’ve stockpiled salt—been waiting for you!”
Xing Honglang grinned: “Salt selling has gotten harder. The new patrol officer Fang Wushang enforces fiercely. Next trip, I’ll trade sugar instead.”
A worker gasped: “Ah!”
“Don’t mind him—he’s money-mad!” another laughed. “Your return is tily, brave woman. The Three Managers summoned everyone for an awards ceremony at the main fortress gate after work today. You’ve arrived just in ti!”
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