Chapter 003: Elder Sister, Dong Yuan

“Long Tian, Captain of Tao County.”

Long Tian announced his name with a beaming smile.

“Ah, my Lord!”

Ma Jun was somewhat flustered, unsure of what to say.

The person before him was so young that he couldn’t quite react in time.

Long Tian was actually a bit puzzled himself, was Ma Jun really from this era?

But he dismissed the thought, clasping his fists in salute.

“Ma Jun, would you be willing to serve me? I have heard that you possess skillful hands, and I happen to lack a capable craftsman.”

“L-Lord, I am willing, it is just that I’m uneducated and lacking in talent. I fear I might delay your Lordship’s great matters.”

Ma Jun naturally agreed; he didn’t know how to refuse, nor did he have any reason to.

“No matter. Come, just follow me.”

A trace of pride flashed through Long Tian’s heart. At least this mission wasn’t hard to complete.

Just one meal, a few steamed buns and a bowl of meat soup, and it was a done deal.

In the right environment, finding the right person to do the right thing leads to success.

Every matter is like this; it isn’t complex, the only difference lies in whether one can pull it off or not.

[Ding, Mission ‘Resolve the Mo Family’s Predicament.’ completed.]

[Ding, Ma Jun has become your follower.]

[Ding, Industrial Skill unlocked.]

Suddenly, Long Tian saw a “Followers” tab appear on his panel.

After clicking it open, he saw Ma Jun’s name written there, along with a character portrait.

Ma Jun: Famous craftsman of the Three Kingdoms period, Disciple of the Mo Family.

Specialty: Manufacturing machinery and modifying tools. When assigned a technical position, his skill level increases by double, and item crafting time is cut in half.

Unlocked Building: Mechanical Workshop.

In the construction tab, the Mechanical Workshop appeared. Just as Long Tian felt a bit puzzled, he saw the resources required for the institute: 500 Wood, 100 Iron.

He happened to have exactly these resources. After clicking on it, Ma Jun, standing beside him, cupped his hands and asked, “My Lord, do you wish to build the Mechanical Workshop?”

“Yes, do you know how to build it?”

Long Tian nodded. Everything felt a bit strange, as if he were in a game.

“I do. My Lord, please leave this all to me. I will direct the craftsmen to carry out the construction. It will take five days.”

Ma Jun said decisively. Five days to put up a building, that seemed a bit too fast.

“Good. Go ahead and do it; I will have people assist you and follow your command.”

Long Tian took Ma Jun to his estate, which was responsible for mining.

The conditions were very immature, so the speed of smelting iron ore was very slow, as was the speed of mining the ore.

Having inexplicably recruited Ma Jun as a follower, Long Tian hadn’t even realized such a talent existed in his own city.

After taking Ma Jun around the workshops and meeting the manager, Long Tian gave special instructions: they must follow Ma Jun’s orders exactly, otherwise they should pack up and leave immediately!

Facing the master of the house, who was also the Captain, how could the manager dare not listen? That would not be “asking for death” but rather “seeking sure death.”

After dealing with all that, Long Tian patrolled the streets a bit. The county town of Tao wasn’t too large, limited by the technology of this era.

The population was only about two hundred thousand, that was already very remarkable in the Xiliang region.

Even large cities such as Luoyang and Chang’an were only about a million in population.

The more people there were, the more areas needed governing, and all sorts of strange things appear; just handling administrative affairs could make one’s head explode.

Only after dealing with these matters did Long Tian have time to look at his new skill.

The Industrial Skill.

While the Industrial Skill sounded impressive, in reality, it was just the production of boilers, iron smelting furnaces, steel furnaces, and other tools.

Mastering industrial skills was essential for advancing a city’s manufacturing capabilities. Higher industrial technology unlocked greater production potential.

Simply put, it represented technological advancement.

Without industrial skills, only basic tools like knives could be produced. With them, however, one could craft chain crossbows, ballistae, battering rams, catapults, and even the divine artifact, the Well Barrier.

Since he wasn’t yet a county magistrate, he could only develop his own industrial technology. He could manufacture these things himself, even using them to arm his own private army.

At the very least, it boosted his strength or improved the people’s livelihood.

<<<•>>>

Returning to his residence, Long Tian pondered his next development plans.

At least for now, what he needed was to accumulate primitive capital, including grain, talent, and soldiers.

Only with grain could he maintain private soldiers and his rule; this was the most fundamental aspect.

Talent could make his life easier, and expanding his territory also required talent for governance.

Coincidentally, he saw his elder sister Dong Yuan chatting with his mother in the living room.

One a mature, domineering sister and one a mature woman, two completely different styles struck him in the face.

Dong Yuan was Dong Zhuo’s eldest daughter, Niu Fu’s wife, and also Long Tian’s cousin/elder sister.

Dong Zhuo had thick eyebrows and big eyes; who would have thought the daughter he sired would be so beautiful?

She had wheat-colored jade-like skin and a lovely face. Because her mother was of the Qiang people, her facial contours were distinct, giving her a bit of the flavor of a “foreign bombshell.”

Her figure was voluptuous, with curves in all the right places; even under her robes, one could sense the sheer magnificence of her bosom.

Moreover, she had inherited both her mother’s beauty and her fiery temper, she was the type who would climb the house and rip off the tiles if someone offended her!

Therefore, upon seeing Dong Yuan, Long Tian shivered slightly.

This big sister of his was ruthless enough to beat a man to death who had harassed her in the street. Her fierceness was so intense even Niu Fu found it hard to handle.

After so many years, she didn’t even have a single child, yet Niu Fu didn’t dare utter a sound; the situation was evident.

When Dong Yuan saw Long Tian, the corners of her mouth immediately hooked into a brilliant smile.

“We were just talking about you, my good brother! Come over here!”

“As I entered the gate today, I heard magpies chirping. I thought there must be good news, and look, here is my good sister. Sister Yuan, it is truly wonderful to see you.”

Long Tian was glib-tongued; if he didn’t coax this barbaric sister of his into happiness, who knew what might happen.

Dong Yuan, radiating a mix of youthful aura and the charm of a mature woman, giggled.

Without the restraint typical of women from the Central Plains, she eyed her brother up and down.

After a good long while, she said, “You’re not a child anymore. It’s time to get married!”

“Marry? I want to spend more time with Mother. I’m not sure if my wife will get along with Mother after we get married, but there’s no rush for such things. Sister Yuan, why are you so happy today?”

Long Tian had never thought about marrying this early. Even though the sons of wealthy families usually married by this time, he had no such plans.

Dong Yuan reached out and pinched Long Tian’s cheek without hesitation, her tone coquettish.

“Because your mother said she wanted to find you a wife, she asked if I knew anyone. I do know one, and she’s quite suitable for you.”