Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Everyone in the Lu Clan was extremely hospitable toward Yan Liqiang and his father during their stay. With Yan Liqiang and Lu Beixin’s relationship ascertained, everyone from Old Master Lu to the guards and the stewards looked at Yan Liqiang differently now. If the way the Lu Clan members used to look at Yan Liqiang was described as “friendly”, then they were totally looking at him as part of their family now.

Connections through marriages were very useful between nations, and even more so between influential clans from the same prefecture. The Lu Clan could be considered a very deep-rooted clan in Pingxi Prefecture, while the Yan Clan rose to prominence the quickest in Pingxi Prefecture. With Yan Liqiang securing his title as the best archer in the northwestern region, the Yan Clan’s reputation also skyrocketed. Foreigners who came to Pingxi Prefecture might not know who the prefectural governor was, but they would definitely know that Yan Liqiang, the best archer in the northwestern region, was here.

The Yan and Lu Clans complemented each other well. Through the Yan Clan, the Lu Clan was able to see a way forward and gain more room for development . The Yan Clan was also able to establish themselves better in Pingxi Prefecture and gain a solid footing through the Lu Clan.

After Yan Liqiang and Yan Dechang finished their dinner at the Lu Residence, they followed etiquette and didn’t stay the night. Instead, they returned to the manufacturing bureau with their carriage. Early the next morning, Yan Dechang left the manufacturing bureau for Liuhe Town with Zhou Tiezhu and a few of his disciples. This time he returned with a satisfied heart, having replicated the Aquapyro Engine at the manufacturing bureau and also settling the wedding between Yan Liqiang and the Lu Clan.

Although the Aquapyro Engine had been replicated, its application remained a big question. Yan Liqiang offered up a reward at the manufacturing bureau. Apart from sawing wood and milling grains, any artisans who could come up with other new inventions based on the Aquapryro Engine’s concept would be rewarded a thousand to ten thousand taels of silver, depending on the value of their invention.

This ignited the enthusiasm of all the artisans in the manufacturing bureau. Based on Yan Liqiang’s style, now that the manufacturing bureau was able to replicate the Aquapyro Engine, he was naturally going to streamline the manufacturing process of the Aquapyro Engine into the assembly line method next.

Fortunately, since Qian Su already knew what an assembly line was after their experience in constructing four-wheeled carriages, Yan Liqiang left the matter in his hands. There had always been an excess of blacksmiths in the manufacturing bureau, but constructing four-wheeled carriages didn’t require that many blacksmiths. Over the past year, apart from the selected few blacksmiths who had been working on refining the coil springs, the others had basically only been making some hardware for the four-wheeled carriages. Now that the manufacturing bureau was going to start manufacturing Aquapyro Engines, the idle blacksmiths finally found the opportunity to make themselves useful.

The next day after Yan Dechang left the manufacturing bureau, Lu Peien came in the morning to have a private discussion with Yan Liqiang and Qian Su for about two hours. Apart from the three of them, no one else was aware of this private discussion. The three men left the manufacturing bureau after the private discussion on the very same day and headed to the salt pan in Yuntao County.

After they returned from Yuntao County, Yan Liqiang had Lu Peien take over one of Qian Su’s jobs. He would now become the manager of the salt pans at Yuntao County, while Qian Su would solely be focusing on all affairs in the manufacturing bureau from now on.

After coming back from Yuntao County and handing over the salt pans to Lu Peien, Yan Liqiang traveled to Pingxi City without even stopping for a rest. On the 15th day of the second lunar month, he arrived at the city to visit Pingxi Prefectural Governor Wang Jianbei. Of course, Yan Liqiang didn’t forget to bring an Aquapyro Engine constructed by the manufacturing bureau as a gift to the Provincial Governor either.

…

“Liqiang, your still waters sure run deep! Both the Provincial Governor and I didn’t expect you would be able to kill Cai Yingwu with just a shot during the duel at the Heavenly Lake! You certainly caused quite a stir in the northwestern region!”

Wang Jianbei and Yan Liqiang were drinking at a pavilion in the rear garden of the Prefectural Governor’s Office. On the table were a few side dishes and a jar of wine. Only the two of them were drinking. The other guards from the Prefectural Governor’s Office were all standing several meters away. Such an amicable situation was best for discussions.

“Did you know that Administrator Liu from the Gan Provincial Governor’s Office was also there at the Heavenly Lake with a group of bodyguards that day? He carried a letter of appointment with the Gan Provincial Governor’s seal on it. If things had gone badly and Liqiang struggled to keep up, Lord Liu would’ve intervened by ending the duel with the excuse that you were needed for an urgent military duty in Gan Province and then bring you back to safety! Little did he expect that before he could even step in, you had cut Cai Yingwu into two as soon as you went up against him. Although I didn’t see that with my own eyes, people claimed that you put up an astounding performance that day and that it wasn’t pathetic for Cai Yingwu to be killed like that…!”

The Psychic Serpent was activated, and Yan Liqiang confirmed that Wang Jianbei was telling the truth. Of course, truths at a moment like this could only be taken as words of courtesy for maintaining the relationship between both parties. Lei Sitong might have his own reasons, but his intention was well received. “I have to thank the Provincial Governor for his concerns. The root cause of this fight between the Soaring Heaven Sect and I actually stemmed from the conflict with the Transportation Office. Even if I can avoid it one time, that doesn’t mean I will be able to avoid it forever. If blood is not spilled, these people will still keep coming. Therefore, I am left with no choice but to settle things. Fortunately, I managed to win by a fluke!”

“Modest. You’re always so modest, Liqiang!” Wang Jianbei smiled and personally poured Yan Liqiang another cup of wine.

“If you call your perfect victory a fluke, that will make others feel really bad about themselves! After the Provincial Governor knew about your victory, he even wanted to hire you, the best archer in the northwestern region, to coach the Gan Provincial Army! However, Lord Lei knew you opened up an archery academy so he gave up on the thought, knowing that you wouldn’t simply leave Pingxi Prefecture to work in Gan Provincial City. I’m sure that the Transportation Office will definitely not dare to provoke you again after this incident. I just received a letter from Lord Lei two days ago. He said that Jiang Tianhua is scared out of his wits and has admitted defeat. He asked the Zhong Clan to deliver the news that he is willing to give up now and that the Transportation Office will not seek problems with the manufacturing bureau again. What is your opinion, Liqiang?”

“Oh? Jiang Tianhua has admitted defeat?” Yan Liqiang was slightly taken aback.

“What can he still possibly do if he doesn’t want to admit defeat? Jiang Tianhua’s power is limited. From the strength and attitude you displayed to the Transportation Office, you are sending a clear message that the manufacturing bureau is prepared to have a fall out with the Transportation Office. No one can stop you even if you wear a veil and run to Yin Provincial City to assassinate Jiang Tianhua. He must have thought about this point and got scared. The Provincial Governor is saying to call it quits and let go of all grudges between the manufacturing bureau and the Transportation Office, including the Soaring Heaven Sect. From now on, they won’t be interfering with your affairs. What do you think, Liqiang?”

Yan Liqiang thought for a moment, before finally nodding. “Please tell Jiang Tianhua that this will be the only chance I’m giving him. If he dares to provoke me again and harbor ill intentions toward me while putting on a smile, I’ll make sure to skin him even if he tries to hide in the Imperial Capital!”

“Alright, I will definitely send someone to relay your message, Liqiang. I believe that no one in the northwestern region will dare to provoke you for no reason after this incident!” Wang Jianbei nodded.

“I wonder if the Provincial Governor has any plans on the Shatu people that I mentioned last time?” Yan Liqiang went straight to the point.