Chapter Ninety-Five: On the Spread

"Brother Zhang Xuan, this was your idea as well? You truly astonish me!" Zhao Ding clasped Zhang Xuan's hands, full of emotion.

Zhang Xuan felt uncomfortable having his hands held by another man. Astonished, he thought? You don't even know what Captain Marvel looks like, yet you're expressing astonishment? But then he remembered he hadn't even finished watching Marvel before he died, and a wave of sadness surged through him, so much so that he barely noticed his hand still being held.

"Brother Zhang Xuan, I took a careful look at the process you suggested for making bamboo slips. If we applied this thinking to other forms of production, the efficiency would surely be greatly improved."

Did you really need to say that? Anyone involved would know. Zhang Xuan thought darkly to himself.

"Brother Zhang Xuan, would you be willing to share your methods more widely? If this approach could be promoted, it would certainly strengthen our Han dynasty, making those small-minded neighbors think twice before challenging our authority." Zhao Ding could already envision a future where the Han’s power grew, and surrounding tribes dared not invade.

Yang Zaixing and the others also watched Zhang Xuan, hoping he would agree to spread the method. Seeing their eager faces, Zhang Xuan was momentarily at a loss. If he agreed, he was just a nobody—who would believe him? If he refused, he felt he might not get away unscathed.

"If you want to promote it, I have no objection personally. But I have two points to raise. First, even though we know this method increases efficiency, we're all insignificant here. Would others believe us? Suppose someone does—how would they use it? People treat their own skills as their means of survival; most won't share their techniques. If you reveal them, you might lose your livelihood. There's a saying: teach your apprentice, and the master starves. Even between master and apprentice, this tension exists. If this method spreads, some will lose their livelihood, and they'll resist.

"Second, if those hurdles are overcome, who ultimately benefits? You might say the producers, but I can tell you clearly: the real beneficiaries are the noble families. As for strengthening the nation, perhaps it will, but for now, it’s just a dream. Don’t ask me why; I’m simply stating it as it is."

Yang Zaixing listened to Zhang Xuan and wondered—was this really the same younger brother who had seemed so illiterate just moments ago?

Seeing everyone stunned, Zhang Xuan continued, "Just take my words as idle talk. Don’t repeat them elsewhere. I mean, it's not the right time to spread this method. When the time comes, it will be impossible to keep it from spreading. Don’t ask me when that will be—I don’t know. But you can look forward to it. So take care of yourselves; in other words, live well. After all, you are witnesses to this method’s birth. Don’t miss the moment when it strengthens the nation. Or, if you wish, try to promote it yourselves—I won’t stop you."

After Zhang Xuan finished, Zhao Ding seemed lost in thought, as did the others. They weren’t ignorant, after all. Of course, there was an exception: Yang Hu, who hadn’t really listened. He only sat quietly because everyone else was sitting.

Watching them ponder, Zhang Xuan added, "It’s almost time for lunch. I’m heading off to eat—anyone want to join me?"

"Insignificant voices, secret techniques, noble families as the final beneficiaries…" Zhao Ding muttered these keywords over and over, frowning as he considered them. Suddenly, something clicked, and he shook his head, mocking himself. It seemed he'd been far too naive about some things.

"Cousin, don’t think too much about it. If you want to promote the method, go ahead. Brother Xuan won’t stop you. As for me, to use his words, I’ll support you in spirit and encourage you in action, cheering you on—but I won’t accompany you in promoting it. And don’t ask me what those words mean—I can't explain them, but it’s about cheering you on, telling you to go for it." Zhao Yun patted Zhao Ding’s shoulder as he spoke.

What was all this? Support in spirit, encouragement in action? The more time he spent with Zhang Xuan and the others, the more he realized his scholarly learning was barely adequate—not just a little, but truly insufficient.

"Little Xuan, you really don’t plan to promote this method?" Yang Zaixing, aware of its benefits, couldn’t help but ask again as they walked to lunch.

"It’s not that I won’t promote it—just that the time isn’t right. But sooner or later, it will prove invaluable."