"Yunyuan Health Care Scripture"should originally be just a book focused on foundational Inner Cultivation techniques.
Zhang Jian pondered on continuing to "seek favors" from Zhang Yi’s study.
He had previously noticed that Zhang Yi’s study contained numerous secret records on Inner Cultivation, including many profound techniques.
Of course, Zhang Jian was also not eager to directly achieve Realm Breakthrough; his foundation in Inner Cultivation techniques was still relatively weak.
However, this provided a good excuse to "consult" Zhang Yi.
...
During this period, Zhang Jian was not idle. He made a special trip to the paper shop and bought a large pile of Cinnabar Yuanbao for ancestral rituals at the family shrine, but this time he only received a small cup of golden Destiny feedback.
Clearly, the ’Ancestor’ above is not someone who gives without getting something in return; it’s difficult to fleece wool.
Zhang Jian had some ideas in mind. Afterwards, he again sought out Zhang Yi and handed him a prepared Dragon Bone Water Wheel Diagram.
"Ah Yu, what is this thing...?"
Ah Yu is Zhang Jian’s nickname.
Zhang Jian had not yet come of age, so Zhang Yi often addressed him by his nickname, indicating Zhang Yi’s regard for this eldest son.
"This is the Large Water Wheel Diagram I found from ancient texts. This wheel can optimize the current simple water wheel in our Fengxi County, directly drawing water from the river to irrigate fertile fields and combat drought. Father, you may have the craftsmen in our clan verify it. If it can be effective, saving even part of the family members and people would be excellent!"
Zhang Jian looked serious.
Naturally, this Large Water Wheel wasn’t found in any ancient texts but rather from a piece of old memory of his hometown that was gradually being phased out. Yet, here it still holds certain ’advancement’, reducing labor costs and providing efficiency.
During severe droughts, it should be able to play a certain role.
Of course, offering this Large Water Wheel at this time is not without expectation — firstly, it can enhance the Zhang Family’s influence around Fengxi County, and secondly, it can increase his own influence.
He had long suspected that as long as his influence increased, the feedback from the ancestral rituals might be greater.
But saving the common people and surrounding elders is his true wish.
Zhang Yi looked a bit shocked at Zhang Jian, he waved his hand to summon the steward Zhang Hu and ordered him to test it.
That Zhang Hu is the father of Zhang Jian’s servant Zhang Lu.
Zhang Yi had a slight smile: "Ah Yu, if this succeeds, your merit is immeasurable!"
Zhang Jian replied with a smile: "Father, this is the immeasurable merit of our Madam Zhang!"
Zhang Yi remained impassive, only gently stroking his beard.
Zhang Jian immediately bowed and rose to leave, glancing at Zhang Yi, knowing exactly what his father was thinking.
Zhang Yi indeed has a heroic ambition.
In Zhang Yi’s generation, the Zhang Family indeed had people of talent, already a leader in Fengxi, and even had considerable influence in Fengyang County.
Coinciding with the early signs of turmoil, Zhang Yi’s considerations are not surprising.
Zhang Jian’s mind flashed other thoughts; he could only say that in his past life he studied too little, knowing many things yet not understanding the underlying principles. Otherwise, if used correctly, they could become good remedies for the Zhang Family’s stable foundation.
However, he still had several things in mind that could benefit the Zhang Family — one being the method of salt refinement, and the other being the technique of secondary quenching for blades.
This knowledge was unconsciously recorded from some entertainment sources and might help with the Zhang Family’s expansion.
After all, heroic endeavors require substantial business foundations to support.
Not long after, Zhang Yi received news from Zhang Hu.
"Master, I invited several master craftsmen from the workshop for careful inspection, and it can almost be confirmed that the Large Water Wheel is indeed feasible!"
"Though it has some limitations, perhaps unable to irrigate too many fertile fields, it can alleviate some drought conditions!"
Zhang Hu’s face showed some excitement.
Fengyang County had a major drought, and Fengxi, bordering neighboring Commandery Cities, inevitably got affected.
The appearance of this improved Large Water Wheel at this time could uplift people’s spirits, especially greatly enhancing the cohesion of the Madam Zhang — doesn’t it indicate that heaven shows favor to Madam Zhang?
Heaven gifts auspiciousness, blessing Madam Zhang.
Otherwise, why would such a drought-fighting ’tool’ appear now for the Zhang Family!
"What are we waiting for, have the master craftsmen in the workshop start production at once! Once this piece is produced, it can be distributed widely to Fengxi County, cheaply leased to the local populace!"
Zhang Yi equally realized the significance of the water wheel’s appearance to Madam Zhang.
Zhang Hu replied, "Master, but doing so, won’t the County Magistrate inevitably have doubts?"
Zhang Yi frowned.
The County Magistrate Yang Qing was an informant of the Court, prudent and capable, with sinister thoughts, difficult to deal with.
He always held deep suspicion towards local noble families, appeared gentle on the outside, but was really quite tough.
Locally in Fengxi, wealthy households secretly called him a smiling tiger.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi sneered: "Yang Qing seeks reputation and fame, appears upright and honest, but is actually greedy and shameless, long having his eyes on our wealth. However, due to our influence as a major local family, he dare not act nimbly, indeed difficult to handle!"
"If it were usual times, he would definitely not sit by idly and would interfere, but now with refugee tides flooding into Fengxi County, he needs us local great families to help stabilize the situation, he wouldn’t dare act recklessly!"
"Additionally, write a letter ASAP, have my sixth brother submit this diagram to the Court. This auspiciousness, no way can Yang Qing benefit from it!"
Zhang Yi sneered.
The Zhang Family is certainly not without conduits.
The Madam Zhang’s six siblings, besides the second and fifth having died early, still included four other brothers — the eldest Zhang Yi, third Zhang Yun, fourth Zhang Kui, sixth Zhang Duan.
Zhang Duan was indeed a scholar advanced by the nation and currently assigned as a Prefect, responsible for the military affairs of a State County, of high rank and power.
Zhang Yi’s heart bore some regret, if possible he would rather let Zhang Jian, with this ’auspiciousness’, establish his reputation, which would surely be beneficial for the Ministry of Rites Examination.
However, as the Patriarch, after weighing pros and cons, Zhang Yi decided it was better for Zhang Duan to solely enjoy this merit.
This was more beneficial for Zhang Duan and the entire Zhang Family.
As the Zhang Family Patriarch, he needed to weigh the pros and cons for certain matters.
Nonetheless, he would naturally provide Zhang Jian with appropriate compensation.
Beside Zhang Hu, listening, was deeply moved and secretly admired.
Being able to suppress the affection for his child and gift such great merit to a sibling demonstrates Zhang Yi’s magnanimity.
Zhang Hu’s heart grew warmer.
In times of chaos, perhaps under Zhang Yi’s leadership, the Zhang Family could finally transcend the ordinary local noble families and reach the noble lineages, Dukes and laureates!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, having mixed around in Zhang Yi’s study for a while, yet had some harvest.
Zhang Jian’s scattered Inner Breath in the hundred apertures around him finally condensed completely into a single form.
This single Inner Breath could be manipulated at will.
It seemed ready at any moment to break through his own Grand Circulation barrier and burst out.
"What a pity, the Yunyuan Health Care Scripture, though it creates a peaceful, pure Inner Breath, it still lacks grandeur and breadth!"
At this moment, within the study, Zhang Jian put down a book of ancient texts, his expression showing some hesitation.
He looked towards the many ancient texts on the bookshelf.
Among these ancient texts were several usable Inner Cultivation techniques.
He actually still had room for selection.