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He chuckled, the sound rumbling through all of them. "No promises." And in the warm quiet that followed, with the women he loved surrounding him completely, Lie Fan allowed himself one night of perfect peace before the storm of war called him away once more.
The night faded without ceremony, slipping away like a tide retreating from shore. The first grey light of dawn filtered through the windows, painting the sprawling bedchamber in muted shades of silver and peach.
When Lie Fan stirred, it was not to urgency or alarm, but to warmth, layered, familiar, human. He lay still for a long moment, eyes half lidded, breathing slow, letting himself exist in the fragile quiet that came only in the hours before dawn.
He was still sprawled in the center of the bed, exactly where he had fallen asleep.
Ying Yue was tucked against his right side, her cheek resting near his collarbone, one slender arm draped loosely across his chest. Her breathing was light, steady, the faint rise and fall of her shoulders brushing against him with every breath.
On his other side, Lu Lingqi had claimed more territory, one arm thrown over his waist, her leg half hooked over his thigh as if daring the world to pull him away.
Diao Chan lay curled closer to his ribs, elegant even in sleep, dark hair spread like ink across the pillow. Cai Wenji rested with her head on his chest, fingers still lightly tangled in the fabric of his inner robe, as though she had reached for him even in dreams.
Zhen Ji lay slightly apart but close enough that her shoulder pressed into his side, her brow smooth, expression unguarded in sleep in a way she rarely allowed herself when awake.
Five women. Five lives. Five hearts that trusted him enough to sleep like this.
For a long moment, he simply watched them sleep, a profound, quiet tenderness filling him. In the vulnerable peace of slumber, the Empress, the warrior, the dancer, the musician, and the refined lady were stripped of their titles and roles, simply his wives, trusting and safe. He smiled, a private, unguarded expression he reserved only for these moments.
Carefully, inch by inch, he began to untangle himself. It was a maneuver requiring more finesse than any battlefield retreat. He shifted millimeters at a time, easing his arms free, sliding out from under limbs and silken hair.
Lu Lingqi stirred first, brows knitting faintly, but she did not wake. He shifted her arm gently back to the mattress, easing her grip without resistance. Cai Wenji murmured something incoherent and settled again when his chest moved away.
Diao Chan turned slightly, seeking warmth that was no longer there, but remained asleep. Zhen Ji did not move at all. Ying Yue's fingers tightened for just a moment, then relaxed.
Free at last, Lie Fan rose from the bed, moving with the quiet discipline of a man who had learned to command silence itself. He dressed quickly, choosing not ceremonial robes, but formal attire, clean lines, dark fabric, the subtle embroidery of imperial authority without ostentation.
Before leaving, he returned to the bedside.
One by one, he bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to each forehead.
Ying Yue breath hitched for a moment before continuing gently.
Lu Lingqi frowned faintly, then relaxed.
Diao Chan smiled in her sleep.
Cai Wenji shifted, lips parting slightly.
Zhen Ji's lashes fluttered but did not lift.
Each kiss was a silent promise, a wordless farewell for the day.
He had just finished dressing in formal, dark blue robes embroidered with subdued dragon patterns when a soft voice stirred the quiet.
"Husband…? Leaving so early?"
Lie Fan paused, then turned fully toward her. Ying Yue was watching him, her eyes soft with sleep but clear. A gentle smile touched her lips.
He walked back to the bedside and crouched down, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I didn't mean to wake you," he said.
"Why are you awake so early, my heart?" he murmured. "The sun is barely up."
She chuckled softly, the sound like rustling leaves. "I should be the one asking you that. You are already washed and dressed so formally. You look like you are heading to a council of war, not a morning stroll."
He smiled, taking her hand. "I have meetings today. Important ones. A council of creation, perhaps."
"With whom?" she asked, propping herself up slightly.
"I have a meeting with Liu Ye and Huang Chengyan." Lie Fan replied. "There are… developments. In two projects that are very important for the future."
Understanding dawned in her eyes. She knew of her husband's relentless drive for innovation, his fascination with tools and systems that could shape the world.
She nodded, then a faint, rosy blush crept up her neck as memories of the previous night—l, of his fierce, commanding presence amidst the five of them, flooded back. "I… see. Then you should not keep them waiting."
Seeing her blush, that rare, flustered expression on his always composed Empress, made his heart swell with affection and masculine pride. He leaned in and captured her lips in a deep, lingering kiss, one that spoke of possession, gratitude, and a hint of the passion that had filled the night.
When he pulled back, her blush had deepened. "Go back to sleep," he whispered, his voice a husky promise. "Rest."
He stood and left the room, the ghost of her smile and the scent of their mingled perfumes clinging to him.
The chamber designated for this meeting was not one of the grand audience halls, but a spacious, well-lit study lined with shelves of scrolls and models of various mechanisms.
The air smelled of parchment, ink, and the faint, clean scent of sawdust and metal. When Lie Fan entered, Liu Ye and Huang Chengyan were already there, standing respectfully beside a table strewn with scrolls, diagrams, and sheets of paper covered in dense calculations.
"Your Majesty," they intoned in unison, bowing deeply.
"Rise, and took your suit please, let's not waste time on ceremony," Lie Fan said warmly, gesturing for them to sit as he took the chair at the head of the table as they obeyed. "I apologize for the early hour, but your reports indicated a level of progress that could not wait."
"Not at all, Your Majesty," Huang Chengyan, the older of the two scholars, replied. His eyes, sharp behind wrinkles earned from decades of study, gleamed with excitement. "The wait has been fruitful."
"Then let us begin," Lie Fan said, leaning forward, eyes already scanning the materials before him, his focus absolute. "How far have we come?"
Liu Ye glanced at Huang Chengyan, then inclined his head respectfully. "Elder Huang has overseen the cannon project. It is appropriate he speaks first."
Lie Fan nodded his head. "Alright, Master Huang Chengyan, your last report spoke of metallurgical failures. Has there been a breakthrough?"
Huang Chengyan did not demur. He bowed slightly, then straightened, his eyes alight with restrained excitement.
Huang Chengyan could not suppress a proud smile. He gestured to the papers before him. "Your Majesty, we believe we have passed the most critical barrier. The issue was never the gunpowder formula, your initial suggestions there were remarkably effective. The problem was containment. The chamber needed to channel that explosive force forward, not shatter."
He unrolled a detailed diagram showing a long, thick metal tube with reinforced bands. "Through exhaustive testing of iron and steel alloys, varying carbon content and quenching methods, the artisans under Master Ouyang have produced a barrel that has, in ten consecutive controlled tests, successfully launched the projectile without rupture or significant deformation."
Lie Fan leaned forward, both hands resting on the table. "How consistent?" he asked.
"Within acceptable margins," Huang Chengyan replied, before then he tapped a specific notation on the diagram. "This alloy, combined with this bore smoothing technique, seems to be the key. We are now in the final development and testing phase. We are determining optimal projectile weight for different ranges, the precise powder charge, and refining the aiming mechanisms. If the next series of field tests are successful… yes, the cannon could be deployed."
Lie Fan's eyes widened. A genuine, triumphant smile spread across his face. This was news he had been waiting years to hear.
The theoretical weapon of his future knowledge was on the cusp of becoming a tangible, world altering reality. "This is exceptional work, Master Huang. Truly. After this meeting, I wish to see the testing grounds for myself. I want to witness this… 'thunder' you are crafting."
"It would be an honor, Your Majesty," Huang Chengyan said, bowing his head. He then gathered a sheaf of the most important scrolls and calculations and passed them to Lie Fan. "These detail the compositions, the test parameters, and the observed results."
He slid several scrolls forward across the table, dense with equations, metallurgical notes, diagrams of chamber geometry and powder ratios. Lie Fan skimmed them quickly, comprehension flashing behind his eyes.
"This changes siege warfare," Lie Fan said quietly. "Walls become suggestions. Fortresses become delays."
"Yes," Huang Chengyan agreed. "And deterrents."
Lie Fan tapped the table once, thoughtful. "When this stabilizes, I want controlled dissemination. Only trained units. No civilian exposure."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"And," Lie Fan added, glancing up, "you know, your daughter, Lady Huang Yueying… her mind for mechanisms is spoken of even within the palace walls. If she has interest, her insights could be invaluable to the project. Do not hesitate to involve her, with all due propriety, of course. Genius should not be wasted.""
Huang Chengyan looked surprised, then thoughtful. "I… will consider your words carefully, Your Majesty. Thank you." The idea clearly held appeal.
Lie Fan then turned his attention to Liu Ye. "Now, Ziyang, the wagonway. How fares our 'iron road'?"
Liu Ye, a man of meticulous detail, arranged his own set of papers with practiced efficiency. "Your Majesty, the wagonway project is in what we are calling the intensive testing period. The core concept is proven. Wagons on guided tracks do move with significantly less friction and far greater efficiency than on rutted roads."
He pointed to a series of schematics showing a wooden track reinforced with an iron strap along the top. "The track design itself is stable. We have perfected the joinery and the foundation to prevent shifting or sinking under load. Maintenance protocols are established. The primary focus now is on the vehicle itself, the 'wagon', and maximizing its performance."
He produced graphs and tables filled with numbers. "We are conducting speed trials under varying conditions. Maximum loaded weight, simulating troop or ore transport. Minimum weight for speed courier purposes. Empty runs for repositioning. We have compiled data on acceleration, sustained speeds, braking distances, and the stress on the axles and couplings."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 35 (202 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0