The eighth day dawned with clear skies and a sense of renewed purpose.
I woke feeling more rested than I had since arriving in this world. The week of forced recovery had worked—my body no longer trembled with basic movements, my breathing came easier, and the persistent ache in my chest had faded to occasional twinges. I wasn't healthy by any normal standard, but I was functional in ways I hadn't been before.
Liu Ruyan noticed immediately when she entered with breakfast. "Your color is better. And you sat up without waiting for assistance."
"Progress. Slow, but real." I accepted the meal tray. "Is the ban on work officially lifted today?"
"Lady Yalian said you may resume light activities. Emphasis on 'light.' She will be monitoring your condition closely." A slight smile. "As will this one."
"I expected nothing less from my coordinated network of concerned overseers."
"We prefer 'dedicated health management team.'"
After breakfast, I dressed in proper day clothes for the first time in over a week—a small victory that felt more significant than it should. The walk to the main hall was steady, requiring no support beyond Liu Ruyan's presence nearby as precaution.
Father had called a planning meeting for mid-morning. When I arrived, the usual participants were already assembled—Wenxuan with his ledgers and notes, Huiyue looking crisp and businesslike despite the early hour, Liefeng leaning against the wall with arms crossed, and to my surprise, Mother sitting at the table with her own writing materials.
Even more surprising was Uncle Qingsong's presence. I'd only seen him a few times since awakening—he managed the farmlands and typically stayed away from compound politics. His weathered face and calloused hands marked him as someone who worked his own land rather than just overseeing others.
"Hanxing," Father said, gesturing to an empty chair. "You look recovered. Your mother insisted we wait for your return before finalizing several decisions."
"I'm grateful for the patience. And surprised by the expanded attendance."
"Your mother made a compelling argument that her household management insights were being underutilized," Father said with a slight smile. "And your uncle requested to attend after hearing about the mine re-engineering proposals. He has opinions about resource extraction."
Mother caught my eye with an expression that said 'you're welcome.' I'd suggested her inclusion, but she'd clearly advocated for herself effectively.
"Uncle Qingsong," I acknowledged. "I'm glad you're here. Your experience with the land would be valuable for mining discussions."
The older man nodded gruffly. "Been managing these valleys for twenty years. Seen the mine decline from good production to barely profitable. If there are ways to improve extraction, I'd like to hear them."
Wenxuan opened his ledgers. "Let me start with current financial status. Last month's weapon sales generated thirty-two taels profit after all expenses. We've received advance payments totaling eighteen taels for future orders. The tribute payment for the Blood Serpent Gang is set aside—fifty taels secured. We currently have twenty-three taels working capital for improvements and expansions."
Better than I'd hoped. The forge improvements were generating sustainable revenue.
"The exclusive contract from Merchant Liu remains on the table," Huiyue added. "He's offering forty taels advance payment and premium rates, but demands sole supplier status. I've been delaying decision pending input."
I considered carefully. "What's your instinct telling you?"
"That dependence on a single buyer is dangerous regardless of immediate benefits. If Merchant Liu encounters financial problems or decides to source elsewhere, we lose everything. Diversified buyers provide stability even if individual contracts are smaller."
"I agree with your assessment. Refuse the exclusive contract but offer preferential terms—priority access to new production, slightly discounted rates for bulk orders, first option on exceptional pieces. Make him feel valued without becoming dependent."
Huiyue nodded, already making notes. "I can structure that. Merchant Liu is practical—he'll appreciate the compromise."
"Regarding the forge expansion," Wenxuan continued, "Master Han has provided cost estimates for the second forge. Approximately twelve taels for construction and equipment. Timeline is six weeks from approval to operational status."
"That's half our working capital," Father observed. "A significant investment."
"But necessary for scaling production," I said. "Current single-forge operation is at capacity. Without expansion, we cannot increase output regardless of demand. The investment returns itself within three months at current sales rates."
"Assuming demand remains steady," Liefeng interjected. "What happens if the market shifts? If we build a second forge and orders decline, we've wasted resources on unnecessary capacity."
Valid concern. Liefeng's military training made him risk-averse about resource allocation.
"The market risk is real," I admitted. "But consider the alternative—we maintain current capacity and turn away buyers. Those buyers establish relationships with other suppliers. When we eventually have capacity to serve them, they're no longer interested. We lose market position permanently by being too cautious."
"There's also the training consideration," Wenxuan added. "The second forge allows us to train more apprentices. We're currently limited to three because Master Han can only supervise so many at once. A second forge with experienced oversight—perhaps Feng as lead smith—creates redundancy and knowledge distribution."
I'd forgotten about Feng until Wenxuan mentioned him. The conversation with Liu Ruyan during my rest week had highlighted his teaching aptitude. "That's good thinking. Feng has the skills and temperament for senior smith role. Promotes him, demonstrates career path for other apprentices, and creates the redundancy we need."
Master Han would need convincing—craftsmen were often reluctant to relinquish direct control. But framing it as expanding his legacy rather than reducing his authority might work.
"What about the mine?" Uncle Qingsong asked. "The boy mentioned re-engineering during my last visit, but I want specifics. That mine's been in our family for four generations. I've worked it myself in younger days. What makes you think it can be improved?"
I'd been dreading this question. Uncle Qingsong knew the mine intimately through decades of experience. Telling him how to extract ore better was presumptuous at best.
"Uncle, I have no practical mining experience," I said carefully. "But I've been studying historical texts and analyzing the mine's output data. The decline seems less about ore depletion and more about extraction inefficiency."
"How so?"
Time to use one of my remaining daily searches carefully. "Memory Treasure Vault, query: Specific medieval mining inefficiencies in iron extraction that cause premature abandonment of viable ore bodies."
The information came clearly—water accumulation in deeper shafts, inadequate ventilation limiting safe working depth, ore sorting practices that missed lower-grade but still valuable material.
"Three main issues," I said, organizing the information. "First, water management. As shafts go deeper, water accumulation makes lower levels dangerous and inaccessible. But there's still ore there—we've simply stopped being able to reach it safely."
Uncle Qingsong nodded slowly. "Water's always been the problem. We've lost two miners to flooding over the years. Now we don't go below thirty paces depth."
"Improved drainage systems could change that. Pumping mechanisms using water wheels, channels to route groundwater away from active mining areas. It's engineering work, not cheap, but it opens access to ore we currently can't reach."
"What's the second issue?" Father asked.
"Ventilation. Deeper shafts trap bad air—makes workers sick, limits how long they can work safely, increases accident risk. Better air circulation through secondary shafts or mechanical ventilation extends safe working time and depth."
"And the third?"
"Ore sorting. We're currently extracting only high-grade ore because lower-grade material isn't worth the smelting effort at our current efficiency. But improved smelting techniques using better furnace designs and flux materials could make lower-grade ore economically viable. Instead of leaving it in the ground, we extract everything and sort for quality during processing."
Uncle Qingsong was quiet, his weathered face thoughtful. "These improvements—they require silver for implementation?"
"Approximately eight taels for drainage improvements, six for ventilation, minimal cost for ore sorting changes since that's mainly process modification. Total investment around fifteen taels, but the work could be phased to spread costs."
"And you believe this would increase output?"
"Conservatively? Thirty to forty percent within six months. Potentially more as we access deeper ore bodies that are currently flooded."
My uncle looked at Father. "The boy makes sense. I've argued for years that the mine could produce more with proper investment. But we never had the silver or the knowledge to implement improvements. If Hanxing can provide the knowledge and we can allocate the silver..."
"It's nearly all our working capital," Father said. "Second forge and mine improvements together consume almost everything we have available. That leaves nothing for emergencies or unexpected expenses."
"It's a risk," I agreed. "But strategic risk is different from reckless gambling. These investments generate returns that fund future growth. Playing it safe—keeping our silver in reserve but changing nothing—that's actually riskier because it locks us into current limitations."
Mother spoke up for the first time. "May I offer household perspective?"
Father nodded, clearly still adjusting to her active participation.
"The servants report that morale has improved significantly. People see the forge producing better weapons, they hear about successful sales, they notice the family is less burdened by immediate crisis. That hope is valuable. But it needs feeding—if we stop improving, if people sense we've become complacent or timid, that hope fades. Moving forward with these investments signals confidence in our future. That matters for clan cohesion."
It was a dimension I hadn't fully considered. Mother understood the human element—how perception and morale affected productivity and loyalty in ways that didn't appear in ledgers.
"Mother's right," Huiyue said. "I've noticed similar dynamics with our merchant contacts. They're taking us more seriously because they see momentum. If we suddenly become conservative, they'll interpret it as doubt about our own success."
Father looked around the table, reading faces and body language. His was the final decision—clan lord carried that authority and responsibility.
"We proceed with both investments," he said finally. "Second forge and mine improvements, phased to manage cash flow. Wenxuan, create detailed implementation timeline with cost distributions. Hanxing, work with Master Han on forge plans and with Qingsong on mine improvements. Huiyue, ensure revenue projections remain realistic—I want conservative estimates, not optimistic fantasies."
Nods around the table. The decision was made.
"One more item," Father added. "The Northern Wasteland Regional Assembly is in two months. Clan lords and major merchant houses gather to discuss trade relationships, settle disputes, and address common concerns. We've sent token representation in recent years because our position was too weak to matter. This year, I'm considering attending personally with full delegation."
The Regional Assembly. Tie Hanxing's memories provided context—a semi-annual gathering where power structures were negotiated, alliances formed or broken, and regional priorities established. Missing it signaled weakness; attending with strong presence signaled ambition.
"If we attend," Father continued, "we need something beyond our improving reputation. We need to demonstrate value that makes other clans want to work with us rather than see us as threat or opportunity for exploitation."
"We take weapons as gifts," Huiyue said immediately. "Exceptional pieces for key clan lords and merchants. Not for sale—gifts that demonstrate our capability and generosity."
"We also offer knowledge sharing," I added. "Position ourselves as innovation leaders willing to help other clans improve their own operations. Not giving away our specific techniques, but sharing general principles that help the region prosper. Makes us valuable allies rather than competitors to crush."
"That's bold," Liefeng said. "Most clans guard their advantages jealously."
"Which is why offering to share makes us different. We can't compete with the major clans on size or martial power. But we can differentiate on approach—be the clan that lifts others up rather than hoarding advantages. That builds political capital."
Father considered this. "It's unorthodox. But then, everything about our recovery has been unorthodox. Very well. We attend the Assembly with gifts and goodwill. Huiyue, Hanxing, Wenxuan—you'll form the planning committee for our presentation. I want to arrive making strong impression."
The meeting continued for another hour, covering smaller operational details and resource allocations. By the end, my head was swimming with information and my body was beginning to signal exhaustion. The week of rest had improved my capacity, but I still had clear limits.
Liu Ruyan, who'd been waiting outside the meeting, took one look at me and frowned. "少主 has pushed too far for first day back."
"I'm fine."
"You are pale and trembling. Back to chambers. Now."
I wanted to argue but recognized she was right. "Fine. But tomorrow I need to visit the forge and meet with Master Han. These plans require his buy-in."
"Tomorrow. After proper rest. And morning meal. And this one's approval of your condition."
"So many gatekeepers between me and productivity."
"Someone must protect 少主 from himself."
As she helped me back to my chambers, I reflected on the meeting. Real progress was happening. The clan was transforming from desperate survival to strategic growth. Family members were finding their roles and contributing meaningfully.
And I was learning to let them lead rather than trying to control everything.
Back in my chambers, Liu Ruyan helped me settle onto the bed. "Successful return to work?"
"Productive. We approved major investments, planned for the Regional Assembly, and made decisions that will shape the next few months."
"And 少主 contributed without dominating or exhausting himself prematurely?"
"I left before collapsing. That's progress."
She smiled. "Indeed. Small victories accumulate into larger success."
After she left to fetch midday meal, I checked the Memory Treasure Vault interface.
'MEMORY TREASURE VAULT'
'DAILY SEARCHES REMAINING: 2/3'
'INTEGRATION STATUS: 88% COMPLETE'
'PHYSICAL CONDITION: GOOD WITH MINOR FATIGUE'
'STRATEGIC PLANNING: EXCELLENT'
'DELEGATION SKILLS: IMPROVING'
'FAMILY DYNAMICS: HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE'
'NOTE: USER DEMONSTRATING SUSTAINABLE WORK PATTERNS'
'LEADERSHIP MATURITY: SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS'
Eighty-eight percent integration. Approaching what felt like a meaningful threshold—ninety percent, perhaps complete integration, whatever that meant. The system's cryptic notes suggested I was developing properly, balancing work with recovery, leading without dominating.
The next few months would test whether our ambitious plans could translate into reality. The second forge, the mine improvements, the Regional Assembly—each carried risks and opportunities.
But for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt we had genuine momentum. Not just surviving but building toward something sustainable.
The Iron Lotus was blooming. Now we needed to ensure the bloom lasted through winter.
---
'MEMORY TREASURE VAULT'
'INTEGRATION MILESTONE APPROACHING: 90%'
'ESTIMATED TIME TO MILESTONE: 10-14 DAYS'
'PREDICTED UNLOCK: ADVANCED ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES'
'USER TRAJECTORY: OPTIMAL'
'CLAN SURVIVAL PROBABILITY NEXT SEASON: 76%'
'LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY: PROMISING'
---