Chapter 144 The City Lord's Seal Transport Caravan marched in a grand procession...

The transport convoy proceeded in a grand procession along the main road to Blackrock City.

Lin Yue sat in the carriage, looking at the scenery outside the window.

He had walked this road many times, but each time he saw new changes.

What did he see when he first walked this road?

The abandoned fields were overgrown with weeds and the soil was cracked.

The stream had dried up, its riverbed exposed and covered with pebbles.

The abandoned hut, with its collapsed walls and damaged roof, resembled a forgotten scar.

And then there were the ragged, expressionless, and numb serfs, like walking corpses. Forced into slavery because they couldn't pay their taxes, they toiled in the fields, seeing no hope whatsoever.

Back then, this place was gray, it was a place of despair.

But now...

Lin Yue looked out the window, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

The fields were planted with crops.

Although it's still very small, it's a lush, vibrant green, full of life. Various crops are neatly arranged, swaying gently in the sunlight.

The stream started flowing again.

Clear water flows down from upstream, passing through man-made dredging channels, irrigating the farmland on both sides. Several small reservoirs have also been built along the river to ensure water supply during the dry season.

Next to the abandoned hut, a new mud house was built. Although simple, the walls were smooth and the roof was covered with a thick layer of thatch. There was also a small yard in front of the door, where vegetables and flowers were grown.

What's even more heartening is the people in the fields.

A couple was working in the field. The man was turning the soil with a hoe, while the woman was sowing seeds behind him. They chatted and laughed as they worked, their hearty laughter ringing out from time to time.

"Old woman, look how well the wheat is growing."

"That's right, this year is sure to be a bumper harvest."

"Once the wheat is harvested, we can get our son a wife."

"You wish! It's still a long way off!"

In the nearby field, a father is teaching his son how to fertilize.

"Son, remember, you can't use too much fertilizer, and you can't use too little. Too much will burn the seedlings, and too little will make them grow poorly."

"I understand, Father!"

"Also, it should be sprinkled evenly, not too much in one area and too little in another."

"Uh-huh!"

Although they looked a little tired—farm work is hard after all—they were in high spirits. Their eyes shone, their faces smiled, and their movements were full of energy.

This is what a real, living person looks like.

Lin Yue continued looking ahead, when suddenly his eyes lit up.

"This is... a waterwheel?"

Waterwheels of varying sizes are set up along the edge of the fields at regular intervals.

Some are large, reaching three or four meters in height, with wheels that slowly turn to guide the stream water to higher canals, and then flow to distant farmland.

Some are small, only a little over a meter tall, but they can still bring water to the nearby vegetable garden.

The sound of the waterwheel turning, along with the rustling of the wind blowing through the wheat fields, creates a beautiful pastoral symphony.

"It's wonderful that so much has changed in just a few months."

“Yes,” Lin Yue said with emotion, “this is exactly what we want to see.”

“Boss,” Ah Hu suddenly said, “what do you think this place will be like after the railway is built?”

“It will be even better,” Lin Yue said confidently. “Goods will be transported faster, people will move more easily, businesses will prosper, and people will become wealthier.”

“Soon,” he said softly, “this road will also change. Rails will be laid on this land, and steam locomotives will roar by, carrying prosperity and hope to farther places.”

Grey said thoughtfully, "If it could really be done... the entire landscape of the North would change."

“Yes,” Lin Yue said firmly, “It definitely will. Uncle Shi Quan and the others have already built a model of the steam engine. The next step is to build the actual locomotive and then lay the railway. Although it is a huge project, I believe it will be realized soon.”

The carriage continued its journey towards Blackrock City.

Meanwhile, in the distant dwarven kingdom, the Forge Royal Court.

Inside the Great Hall of the Heart of Deeprock, five young dwarves stood in a row.

They were all very young, the oldest no more than thirty, the youngest just over twenty. But each of them had a glint of excitement and nervousness in their eyes.

The dwarf king sat on his throne, with Thorek and several elders standing beside him.

“Bronze Axe, Iron Hammer, Stone Heart, Firebeard, Thunder,” the Dwarf King called out each person’s name, “You five are the elite we have selected from among the apprentice artisans of the nation.”

“Yes, my king,” the five young dwarves answered in unison.

“Your journey here is not merely to learn technology,” the Dwarf King stood up and descended the steps, “but more importantly, to represent the entire Dwarf race.”

“Your every word and action is related to the honor of the dwarves. I hope you can learn real skills and let humans see the strength of us dwarves.”

"Rest assured, Your Majesty," the leader of the bronze axes bowed solemnly, "we will not disgrace the name of the dwarves."

“Yes,” the other four echoed, “we will never dishonor the name of the dwarves!”

The Dwarf King nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Sorek: "Sorek, is there anything you wish to tell me?"

Solek stepped forward and looked at the five young men.

"The place you're going to is Hope Town. There lives a dwarf named Stonefist there; he's my brother, my friend, and a great craftsman."

“We’ve heard of Master Stonefist,” Firebeard said excitedly.

“Yes,” Sorek laughed, “he is indeed very good. But what I want to tell you is that Stonefist’s success today is not only due to his skills, but also because he is willing to learn and accept new things.”

He paused, then said, “When you go there, you must put aside your arrogance and humbly learn. Humans have their wisdom, elves have their skills, and we dwarves have our strengths. Only by learning from each other’s strengths and making up for our weaknesses can we make progress.”

"Yes," the five replied in unison.

“Also,” Sorek continued, “the mayor of Hope Town, Lin Yue, is a very special person. You should respect him and learn from him.”

"We've got it."

The dwarf king walked up to them and patted each of them on the shoulder: "Go, children. For the glory of the dwarves, and for your own future."

"yes."

The five young dwarves bowed again, then turned and walked out of the hall.

Outside the door, a small guard had been waiting for some time. The leader was an old dwarf named Iron Mountain.

"Are you ready, little ones?" Tieshan asked with a smile.

"Ready."

"Then let's go."

The group left the Forge Royal Court, walked out of the mine, and came to the surface.

For these young dwarf apprentices, this was their first long journey and their first time truly leaving the mountains.

"Wow..." Copper Axe stared wide-eyed at the distant plains. "So this is how... how vast it is outside."

“Yes,” Hammer exclaimed in amazement, “when we were in the mountains, there were rocks and mines everywhere. I never imagined the outside world would be like this.”

Shi Xin looked up at the sky and took a deep breath: "This air... seems different from the air in the mountains."

“Nonsense, the mountains are full of the smell of firewood,” Firebeard said. “Of course it’s fresh outside.”

Lei Ming was the quietest, staring intently into the distance: "What's that... up ahead?"

Following his gaze, everyone saw a small town in the distance.

“That’s a human village,” Tieshan said. “We’ll rest there tonight.”

"What would a human village be like..." Bronze Axe murmured.

As evening fell, the group arrived at the village.

This is an ordinary rural village, but everything is new and exciting for these dwarf apprentices.

“Look, human houses are so tall,” Firebeard said, pointing to a two-story wooden house.

“That’s because humans are tall,” Stoneheart said. “Our houses, except for the royal court, are all relatively short.”

“But it doesn’t look sturdy enough,” Hammer shook his head. “How can wood compare to stone?”

“Don’t say that,” Tieshan taught them. “Every race has its own characteristics. Human wooden houses may not be as sturdy as our stone houses, but they are quick to build and the materials are easy to obtain.”

The villagers saw the dwarfs and gathered around to watch from a distance.

"They're dwarves!"

Is he really that short?

"But he's so muscular, look at those muscles..."

"I've heard that dwarves have a high alcohol tolerance?"

The young dwarves felt uncomfortable being watched.

But Tieshan was very calm. He greeted the villagers with a smile and even bought some food.

That evening, around the campfire, Tieshan said to the young people, "Get used to it. You'll encounter more situations like this in the future. Don't worry about what others think, just be yourself."

"Yes, Uncle Tieshan."

The team continued their journey over the next few days.

The young dwarves encountered more and more human towns.

There are bustling markets, lively taverns, and all sorts of shops...

“Human towns… are quite interesting,” Copper Axe said.

“Yes,” Ironhammer admitted, “it may not be as grand as our dwarven underground cities, but it has its own charm.”

“I’ve heard Hope Town is even more amazing,” Firebeard said excitedly. “They say there are many things there that I’ve never seen before!”

"What is that?" Lei Ming asked curiously.

“I don’t know,” Firebeard scratched his head, “but since Master Stonefist chose to stay there, he must be very special.”

“I’ve heard that the food in Hope Town is especially delicious,” Stoneheart said. “Even our dwarfs learned to make tofu there.”

"Really?"

“Of course, Teacher Xiaoshan from the food shop told me,” Shi Xin said. “And Hope Town has a lot of new technologies, such as cement, red bricks, and that... steam engine.”

“The steam engine,” Copper Axe’s eyes lit up. “That’s what I want to see most. It’s said to be able to move on its own, without the need for human or animal power.”

“I’m curious too,” Hammer said. “I must learn this time so that when I get back I can show those old guys that we young people can make amazing things too.”

"right!"

The young people are full of fighting spirit and anticipation for the future.

A few days later, the group finally entered Blackrock City's territory.

“We’re almost there,” Tieshan said. “One more day’s journey and we’ll reach Blackstone City. Once we get there, someone will pick us up and take us to Hope Town.”

“Blackrock City…” Copper Axe murmured the name. “I’ve heard that this is the city of the Kaslan family.”

“Yes,” Tieshan said, “and I’ve heard that Blackrock City has changed a lot recently. It’s all because of the influence of Hope Town.”

"Really?"

You'll find out soon enough.

As dusk fell, the walls of Blackrock City appeared on the horizon.

The young dwarves looked at the tall city walls with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"Such a high wall..." Shi Xin exclaimed.

At the city gate, a human guard was waiting.

The leader was a young officer who immediately went to meet the dwarf group upon seeing them.

“Lord Iron Mountain,” he said respectfully, “I have been sent by Lord Ryan to fetch you. My name is Thomas, the vice-captain of the Blackrock City Guard.”

"Captain Thomas, you've worked hard," Tieshan said.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Thomas said with a smile. “Lord Ryan specifically instructed that we should treat our dwarf friends well.”

He looked at the five young dwarves and nodded in a friendly manner: "These must be the apprentices who are going to Hope Town to learn, right?"

“Yes,” Tieshan explained, “these are the bronze axe, iron hammer, stone core, fire whiskers, and thunder.”

“Welcome to Blackrock City,” Thomas said. “Lord Lin Yue has arrived and is in the city lord’s mansion. I will take you to your resting place first; there will be a banquet tonight.”

"A banquet?" Copper Axe asked softly, "Is it that grand?"

“Of course,” Thomas said with a smile, “you are distinguished guests. Moreover, this is the first visit by dwarven envoys since the signing of the peace treaty. It is of great significance.”

The young dwarves looked at each other, all somewhat nervous.

"Don't be nervous," Tieshan patted them on the shoulder, "Just treat it as a regular dinner."

As dusk fell, Lin Yue and his group arrived at Blackrock City.

When the convoy arrived at the city gate, the guards saw the Hope Trading Company's flag and immediately saluted to let them pass.

“No need for a check,” Ah Hu laughed. “This is really good treatment.”

Upon entering the city gate, Lin Yue carefully examined Blackstone City.

The main road has been completely paved with cement. The smooth surface gleams in the setting sun, and the carriages travel on it with almost no bumps.

Many of the houses along the road have been replaced with red brick or cement houses. These buildings clearly reference the design of Hope Town, but also incorporate local features of Blackstone City.

The streets were bustling with people. Vendors were calling out their wares, children were chasing each other, and craftsmen were hammering away... a vibrant scene of life.

"What a big change!"

"Ryan did a great job."

When the convoy passed by Yihaodian, Lin Yue took a special look at it.

A long queue had formed at the entrance of this luxurious three-story building. Through the windows, one could see that the interior was filled with well-dressed guests—merchants, mercenaries, and even nobles.

"Boss," Ah Hu reported, "the turnover of No. 1 Store this month has increased by 20% compared to last month. Now the daily net profit can reach 300 gold coins."

“Very good,” Lin Yue nodded in satisfaction. “Mia and the others did a good job.”

“There’s also Hope Cafeteria,” Ah Hu continued. “Although the profit margin isn’t as high as No. 1 Store, it has a large customer flow. It serves more than 500 customers every day, and the net profit is about 100 gold coins.”

“Yes,” Lin Yue said, “the cafeteria is positioned as a people’s restaurant, with low profit margins and high sales volume. It’s already quite good to have this profit.”

"Moreover," Ah Hu laughed, "these two shops have had a great influence on Blackrock City. Many people say that Blackrock City owes its current success to the help of Hope Town."

Lin Yue didn't speak, but just silently looked out the window.

Yes, in just a few months, Blackrock City has transformed from a backward border town into a thriving commercial center.

Hope Town did play a significant role in this.

But more importantly, it was Ryan's courage and determination.

If he is unwilling to reform and accept new things, no amount of help will help.

“Let’s go,” Lin Yue said, “Let’s go to the city lord’s mansion first.”

The city lord's mansion, study.

Captain Renault was waiting at the door. Upon seeing Lin Yue, he immediately smiled.

“Lord Lin Yue, you’ve arrived,” he said respectfully. “The city lord is waiting for you inside. Oh, and there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

"What's up?"

“The apprentices sent by the Dwarven Kingdom have arrived,” Reno said. “There are five young dwarven craftsmen in total. They are resting in the guest rooms now.”

"Oh? So fast?" Lin Yue exclaimed in surprise. "Uncle Stone Fist must be very happy."

“Yes,” Renault laughed. “Lord Ryan said that we should treat them well at the dinner tonight.”

“Of course,” Lin Yue nodded. “Then I’ll go see Ryan first.”

"Please come in."

Renault pushed open the door, and Lin Yue went inside.

Ryan was sitting behind his desk, reviewing documents. When he saw Lin Yue enter, he put down his pen and stood up.

“Lin Yue,” he said, walking quickly over and shaking hands with Lin Yue, “Welcome back.”

“Ryan, long time no see,” Lin Yue said with a smile. “Looks like you’ve been very busy.”

“Yes, there’s a lot to do,” Ryan said with a wry smile. “But it’s all for the best. The better the city develops, the more things there are to deal with.”

“I see,” Lin Yue said. “Blackstone City has changed a lot. The cement roads are very well paved, and the new buildings are beautiful.”

“Thanks to your technical support,” Ryan said, “the cement formula, the brick firing method, and those architectural drawings... without these, Blackrock City would not be what it is today.”

"Don't say that," Lin Yue waved his hand. "Technology is static; the key is that people are willing to use it. The most important thing is that you can withstand the pressure and push forward with the reforms."

The two smiled at each other, both seeing the sincerity in each other's eyes.

“Sit down,” Ryan gestured for Lin Yue to sit down. “I have something to tell you.”

"What's up?"

Ryan didn't answer directly, but turned to Renault and said, "Renault, bring that thing here."

"Yes, sir."

Renault took out an exquisite wooden box and a roll of parchment from the cabinet next to him and respectfully handed them to Ryan.

Ryan took it and turned to hand it to Lin Yue.

"What is this?" Lin Yue asked, puzzled.

“Open it and take a look,” Ryan smiled mysteriously.

Lin Yue first unfolded the parchment.

The above is written in neat, standard mainland Chinese script:

Appointment Letter

Lin Yue is hereby appointed as the Lord of Blackrock City, with full authority over the management and development of Blackrock City.

Lin Yue made outstanding contributions to the peace negotiations with the Dwarven Kingdom and Silvermoon Forest, demonstrating extraordinary wisdom and ability. He is hereby granted the title of Lord of Blackrock City as encouragement.

This appointment is effective immediately.

The Royal Seal in the Handwriting of the Duke of Kaslan

Lin Yue was stunned after reading it.

“This…this is…” He looked up, staring at Ryan in disbelief.

“Lord of Blackrock City,” Ryan said earnestly, “from this day forward, you are the Lord of Blackrock City.”

"But...but this..." Lin Yue didn't know what to say for a moment.

This is so sudden.

Although he did a lot for Blackrock City, he never thought of becoming the city lord.

"Why?" he finally asked.

Ryan walked to the window, looked at Blackrock City outside, and slowly said:

"Lin Yue, you've helped me so much."

"Technology, capital, talent, business routes... Without you, there would be no Blackstone City today."

"And I, as your friend, have been receiving your help all along, but haven't been able to do anything for you."

He turned around, looked at Lin Yue, and his eyes were sincere:

"You deserve this position as city lord. It's also one of the few things I can do for you."

“Moreover,” Ryan continued, “to be honest, I’ve been managing Blackrock City largely based on your advice. Instead of doing that, it would be better to just make you the city lord. You know better than I do how to develop a city.”

A warm feeling welled up in Lin Yue's heart.

He stood up and walked over to Ryan.

“Ryan…”

The two looked at each other for a moment, then simultaneously opened their arms and gave each other a hug.

This is a hug between men, filled with trust, gratitude, and brotherhood.

After a long while, the two separated and both laughed awkwardly.

"Ahem," Lin Yue cleared his throat, "Um, what's in the wooden box?"

“The city lord’s seal,” Ryan said. “Open it and take a look.”

Lin Yue opened the wooden box.

Inside lies an imperial seal.

No, it should be said that it was... a very familiar imperial seal.

It is square and pure white, with a tiger head carved on the top, which is very lifelike.

But what shocked Lin Yue the most was the inscription on the bottom of the jade seal—

"By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous."

The eight large characters are vigorous and powerful.

And... it's in Chinese!

Standard seal script!

Lin Yue's lips began to twitch.

What... what's going on here?

He picked up the jade seal and examined it closely. The workmanship was exquisite, the material was of superior quality, and the eight seal characters were carved with remarkable depth and power, each stroke brimming with strength.

The jade is warm and lustrous, gleaming softly under the light. The tiger head carving is majestic and imposing, with sharp eyes that seem almost alive.

"How is it?" Ryan asked. "Isn't the seal nice?"

"Not bad...it's not bad..." Lin Yue's voice sounded strange. "This seal...did you make it?"

“No,” Ryan shook his head. “It was made a long time ago by a lord of Blackrock City. It is said that the lord was very fond of Eastern culture and specially invited an Eastern craftsman to make this seal.”

"Eastern craftsmen..." Lin Yue mused.

“Yes,” Ryan continued, “look at the patterns on this, aren’t they peculiar and mysterious? I’ve looked up historical records, and that city lord was a figure from over two hundred years ago, whose name was… what was it again… I think his surname was ‘Lin’ or something.”

"Lin?" Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat.

“Yes, it seems to be called Lin...Lin Tian? Or Lin Yuan?” Ryan frowned. “I can’t remember. Anyway, the later Blackrock City Lord thought the seal was too exquisite, so he has been using it ever since and has never changed it.”

"I see..." Lin Yue looked at the jade seal in his hand, a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

More than two hundred years ago, a city lord surnamed Lin, who loved Eastern culture, had this seal made...

Could it be... that he's also a time traveler?

"By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous."

If they weren't time travelers or people from Earth, how could they possibly know these eight characters?

"What's wrong?" Ryan noticed that Lin Yue's expression was a little strange. "Don't you like this seal? If you don't like it, I can have someone make a new one."

“No, no, no,” Lin Yue quickly said, “I like it very much. I like it very much.”

I really like it.

Although he didn't know whether Lord Lin was a time traveler or not, seeing the familiar Chinese characters, Lin Yue felt an indescribable sense of familiarity.

If he really is a time traveler...

Then you won't be alone anymore.

At least, there was once another person from Earth in this world.

He carefully placed the seal back into the wooden box and said solemnly, "Thank you, Ryan."

“No need to thank me,” Ryan said with a smile. “Then, from today onwards, Blackrock City is in your hands, Lord Lin.”

“Young Master Ryan, please don’t tease me,” Lin Yue said, then suddenly remembered something, “Wait, you said ‘leave it to me’? What about you?”

Ryan gave a smug smile: "I'm leaving Blackrock City."

"What?!" Lin Yue exclaimed in surprise, "Where are you going?"

“My father has assigned me a new task,” Lane said. “I’m going to take over two new cities.”

"Two cities?"

“Yes, they’re both in the North, one is called Bluestone City and the other is called Whitewater City,” Ryan said. “They’re not too far from here, about three or four days’ journey. And they’re much larger than Blackrock City. Bluestone City has twice the population of Blackrock City, and Whitewater City has three times the population.”

"That's..." Lin Yue understood, "A promotion?"

“I suppose so,” Ryan chuckled. “My father said he was very satisfied with my performance in Blackrock City. In just a few months, tax revenue increased fivefold, public discontent decreased by eighty percent, and commercial prosperity increased tenfold. So he decided to give me a bigger stage.”

"Congratulations." Lin Yue was genuinely happy for his friend and stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder. "Congratulations on Young Master Ryan's promotion. The people of Qing Shi City and Bai Shui City are blessed."

“Congratulations to you both,” Ryan smiled. “We’ve both started anew. You’ll become the Lord of Blackrock City, and I’ll manage a larger city.”

"When are you leaving?"

“In two weeks,” Ryan said, “I will hand over all the affairs of Blackrock City to you during this time. This includes the list of officials, the financial situation, information on important merchants, the implementation of various policies... I will explain everything to you one by one.”

“No problem,” Lin Yue nodded.

The two talked for a long time, discussing the current state of Blackrock City, future plans, and the construction of the trading post...

Before we knew it, it was completely dark.

“Almost done,” Ryan glanced out the window. “It’s time to prepare for dinner. Tonight is an important occasion.”

"important?"

“Dwarven apprentices,” said Lane, “they are the first dwarven envoys to officially visit since the signing of the peace treaty. Although they are only apprentices, their presence is significant. I have already informed all the important officials in Blackrock City to attend the banquet tonight.”

"So grand?"

“It must be done solemnly,” Lane said earnestly. “This concerns the relationship between humans and dwarves. We must make those dwarf apprentices feel our sincerity and respect.”

“That’s right,” Lin Yue nodded. “Then I’ll go and prepare.”

As night fell, the main hall of the city lord's mansion was brightly lit.

The long table was laden with delicious food: roast meat, stewed fish, various vegetables, fresh fruit, and fine wine specially transported from Hope Town.

All the important officials of Blackrock City had arrived. The treasurer, the military officer, the commercial officer, the sheriff... a dozen or so people stood in the hall, waiting for the banquet to begin.

"I heard that dwarves are here today?"

"Yes, they are apprentices sent by the Dwarf Kingdom."

"This is my first time seeing real dwarves, I'm a little nervous..."

"Don't be nervous. Dwarves may have bad tempers, but they are reasonable."

Just then, the door opened.

Tieshan walked in with five young dwarves.

The young dwarves were a little nervous attending such a formal occasion for the first time.

They wore traditional dwarven attire, exquisite leather armor adorned with metal ornaments, and ceremonial hammers hanging from their waists. Their beards were meticulously groomed and braided into intricate plaits.

“Welcome,” Ryan stepped forward first. “Welcome to Blackrock City.”

“Lord Ryan,” Tieshan bowed, “thank you for your hospitality.”

“Of course,” Ryan said with a smile. “You are all distinguished guests. Come, let me introduce you…”

He began by introducing the officials present.

"This is Elder Robert, the treasurer, in charge of Blackrock City's finances..."

"This is Military Officer Thompson, in charge of the city's defenses..."

"And this is...?"

The young dwarves carefully memorized everyone's name and position.

“Oh, right,” Ryan suddenly said, “there’s still one important guest who hasn’t arrived yet. Ah, he’s here!”

The door opened again, and Lin Yue walked in.

He changed into formal attire, a dark blue robe embroidered with the emblem of Hope Town, with a wide belt around his waist. He looked both refined and dignified.

“Lord Lin Yue,” Tie Shan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him, “I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

"Hello, Uncle Tieshan," Lin Yue said with a smile, "You must have had a long journey."

“It’s not hard work at all,” Tieshan said excitedly. “That kid Shiquan often mentions you. He said you are a remarkable person, and after meeting you today, I can confirm that he truly lives up to his reputation.”

"Uncle Tieshan, you flatter me," Lin Yue said, then looked at the five young dwarves, "These must be the apprentices who are going to Hope Town to learn, right?"

“Yes,” Tieshan introduced, “These are the bronze axe, iron hammer, stone heart, fire whisker, and thunder. They are all the best young craftsmen of our dwarf race.”

"Hello," Lin Yue said kindly, "Welcome to the human world. I hope you can learn something useful in Hope Town."

"Lord Lin Yue," Tong Fu said excitedly, "we've heard so much about you from Teacher Xiao Shan. You're truly amazing!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Huo Xu exclaimed. "I heard that you designed the steam engine?"

"And cement, red bricks, all sorts of new technologies..." Tiechui counted, "all brought by you."

Lin Yue laughed: "It's not entirely my achievement. Many things were researched and developed by everyone together."

“But you are the most crucial person,” Shi Xin said earnestly. “Without you, these technologies would not exist.”

“Alright, alright,” Ryan interrupted with a smile, “Let’s eat and chat. Come on, everyone, sit down!”

Everyone took their seats.

Lin Yue and Ryan sat in the main seats, Tie Shan and five apprentices sat beside them, and other officials lined up on both sides.

“Today is a special day,” Ryan stood up and raised his glass. “First, to welcome our dwarven friends to Blackrock City. Second, to celebrate Lin Yue becoming the new lord of Blackrock City. Third, to celebrate the friendship between humans and dwarves.”

"Cheers!" everyone shouted in unison.

"cheers!"

The atmosphere was lively with toasts and laughter.

Although the dwarves were newcomers, they quickly relaxed. Especially after tasting the delicious food and wine, they praised it highly.

"This meat is roasted perfectly!" Copper Axe exclaimed, taking a big bite. "Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the spices...it smells amazing!"

“This wine is not bad either,” Firebeard said, taking a sip and his eyes shining. “Although it’s not as strong as our dwarf’s spirits, it has a very unique flavor.”

“This is a special fruit wine made in Hope Town,” Lin Yue explained. “It is brewed with a variety of fruits, has a smooth taste, and a long aftertaste.”

"Wonderful!" Tieshan exclaimed. "Lord Lin Yue, you are not only a wise man, but also a gourmet."

"You flatter me."

"By the way, Lord Lin Yue, how is Shi Quan?"

"Great, he's really something now. He's busy tinkering with the steam engine in the blacksmith shop every day."

"Lord Lin Yue," Copper Axe suddenly asked, "may I ask you a question?"

"Of course, go ahead and say it."

"That steam engine...can it really move on its own?" Copper Axe's eyes were filled with curiosity. "How does it move without human or animal power?"

"Simply put," Lin Yue explained, "it uses the power of water vapor. Water is heated into steam, the steam pushes a piston, the piston drives a gear, the gear rotates a wheel... that's how it moves."

"Water vapor?" The young dwarves exchanged bewildered glances. "You mean... that white steam that comes out when you boil water?"

“Yes,” Lin Yue nodded, “that white mist actually has a lot of power.”

“But…that’s just air…” Firebeard didn’t understand. “How can air move something so heavy?”

“You’ll understand once you get to Hope Town and see for yourselves,” Lin Yue said. “And you can even participate in the manufacturing process.”

"Really?!" The five young dwarves exclaimed excitedly.

“Of course,” Lin Yue said, “you came to the human world to learn these new technologies.”

“That’s great!” Copper Axe said excitedly. “I must study hard.”

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

Seeing the young dwarves' excited expressions, the human officials present all laughed.

“It seems our dwarf friend is very enthusiastic about learning,” said old Robert, the treasurer.

“Of course,” Tieshan said proudly. “What we dwarves value most is the inheritance and innovation of our skills.”

The banquet lasted until late at night.

Everyone enjoyed the food and had a great time chatting.

The divide between humans and dwarves gradually melted away amidst delicious food and wine.

The banquet ended, and the guests left one after another.

Lin Yue returned to the room prepared for him and lay down on the bed.

Little Black jumped in through the window and landed on his stomach.

Meow~

"Little Black," Lin Yue stroked its head, "You had a great day...

[You became the lord of Blackrock City and even received the dwarven envoy. You've been busy all day.]

“Not only that,” Lin Yue said, “I also got this…”

He picked up the wooden box from the bedside table, opened it, and revealed the jade seal.

"By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous..." he murmured.

Are you very interested in this seal?

"Yes, this lets me know that I'm not the only one from there in this world."

So...you are not alone.

“Yes,” Lin Yue smiled, “I’m not alone.”

He put the jade seal back into the wooden box and closed his eyes.

"Goodnight, Xiao Hei," Lin Yue whispered. He gradually drifted off to sleep.

In my dream, there were speeding trains, bustling cities, and a peaceful and prosperous northern land...

There's also a figure from over two hundred years ago who left this seal and then disappeared into the long river of history...

Perhaps one day, he too will leave his mark on this world, just like that predecessor.

But he still has a lot to do.

Tomorrow will be another new day.

-----------------------

A note from the author:

The story is drawing to a close, and I have too many unspeakable regrets in my heart.

This was the author's first story. He picked up his pen with great enthusiasm, envisioning a conventional yet full of possibilities world. Unfortunately, due to his limited experience and writing skills, he ultimately failed to fully present what he envisioned.

It's like someone cooking for the first time. They've chosen ingredients that everyone seems to like, but because they don't know how to control the heat or season, they end up adding water when there's too much flour and flour when there's too much water. They intended to stir-fry a delicate dish, but ended up with a pot of mixed stew. The taste isn't too bad, but it falls short of the deliciousness they envisioned.

Without a complete outline, struggling to maintain the pacing of chapters, and even stumbling over punctuation towards the end, the writing became increasingly difficult. Life was sometimes hectic, data fluctuated, and my mental state even crumbled at times, leading to slower and slower updates. Many details and characters established in the early stages became blurred as I wrote, making progress increasingly challenging towards the end.

But in any case, I've been updating every week, and today, I'm finally about to finish telling this story.

Thank you to everyone who has read this far. I hope to meet you again in stories you all enjoy in the future.