Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Li Chengwen was so flattered that he couldn't stop smiling, and he downed several cups in a row, his face flushing even more.

He patted the table and said, "After I leave, Zhao Dezhu will temporarily manage the forging compound. Everyone, continue with your work as usual, don't slack off just because I'm gone. When I return, if I see you've done a good job, everyone will be rewarded!"

The crowd cheered again.

Shen Chu sat at the table, holding a glass of wine, but unlike the others, she did not join in the commotion.

Looking at Li Chengwen's flushed face, he felt a sense of unease.

He knows more than others.

Zhao Dezhu is the second young master's man, that's one point.

Secondly, the scene he inadvertently witnessed last night—the ambiguous relationship between the second young master and Madam Liu, and Madam Liu's suggestion to persuade Master Li to take Li Chengwen out—

When put together at this moment, it doesn't seem like a coincidence at all.

He always felt that this transfer was probably not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

This fat guy usually treats me well.

If it were just a simple dispute over family property, that would be one thing.

If it were truly because of these two adulterers that I was harmed, then it would indeed be a sin.

But Li Chengwen was in the midst of his excitement, his heart filled with the joy of Master Li finally acknowledging him. If someone were to pour cold water on him at this moment, not only would Li Chengwen not listen, but everyone else present would probably think he was being tactless.

I'm powerless and have no say...

After a moment's hesitation, Shen Chu finally picked up her wine glass, walked to Li Chengwen's side, and toasted him with a smile: "Young Master, I wish you a successful business and a safe journey."

When he said the word "peace," he emphasized it and looked at Li Chengwen seriously: "After you leave this knife-forging compound, we will have to take care of ourselves."

Li Chengwen was in high spirits and assumed Shen Chu was just concerned about him. He laughed and patted Shen Chu's shoulder, "Don't worry! With me here, what could possibly happen? You better get back to work and wait for me to bring you some good stuff!"

Shen Chu smiled, said nothing more, and silently drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.

Some things are best left unsaid; saying too much can easily arouse suspicion. He just hoped that he was overthinking it.

......

A few days later, Master Li took Li Chengwen out.

Li Chengwen sat upright on his horse, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

Li Jiwu specially invited a large group of people to the door to see him off, to show that he was very filial.

Liu's eyes were filled with tears.

Master Li was also somewhat saddened, but when combined with the enthusiastic Li Chengwen, it inexplicably added a touch of humor, making Shen Chu want to laugh.

"Let's go, Dad, it's getting late!"

While urging them on, Li Chengwen waved to Shen Chu and the others, saying, "I'll treat everyone to drinks when I get back!"

Having said that, he spurred his horse and set off ahead of Master Li's carriage.

"That boss!"

Master Li was about to get angry, but seeing that Li Chengwen had already set off, he had no choice but to give up with a helpless expression. He gave a few more instructions, then boarded the carriage and set off as well.

Shen Chu stood at the back of the crowd, watching Li Chengwen's figure disappear at the street corner. After exchanging a glance with Sun Ping, he silently returned to the forging compound to continue working.

......

After Li Chengwen left, Zhao Dezhu officially took over all affairs of the knife-forging compound.

In the first few days, many people in the compound were still very wary of him.

After all, Zhao Dezhu is the second young master's man.

However, to everyone's surprise, Zhao Dezhu behaved extremely dutifully at the beginning of his tenure.

He was punctual for work every day, assigned tasks fairly and reasonably, never showed favoritism, and treated every worker with kindness and courtesy.

If someone complains to him that their tools are broken or they don't have enough charcoal, he will immediately take action to solve the problem without delay.

Even Shen Chu, after observing for a few days, couldn't help but lower her guard a bit.

He even doubted whether he was overthinking things.

Perhaps Zhao Dezhu really is an honest man?

But gradually, things began to change.

Initially, it was just some minor adjustments.

Zhao Dezhu began to frequently talk to some of the workers individually, sometimes during lunchtime, and sometimes after work.

The content of the conversation was unknown to outsiders, but the workers who were called in for the talk later saw a significant improvement in their work treatment. They received better quality iron materials, had more reasonable shift schedules, and even had two more days off.

Others, however, gradually found their work becoming increasingly burdensome.

Either you get assigned the worst quality iron, resulting in a high scrap rate and a deduction in your wages;

They were either assigned to odd jobs like moving coal, cleaning, or organizing the warehouse, but they were never allowed to touch the forging hammer.

Gradually, an invisible division formed within the knife-forging compound.

Those willing to align themselves with Zhao Dezhu formed a small, ever-growing circle.

These people look out for each other, eat together, and often go out for drinks after work, becoming the "mainstream" in the compound.

Those who refused to align themselves with the group were marginalized, doing the most work but receiving the least pay, and were frequently reprimanded by Zhao Dezhu in public for "poor performance."

In particular, the old men left behind by Steward Li, who were all the young master's confidants, were completely isolated.

Although Zhao Dezhu did not openly target them, he always assigned them thankless tasks, leaving them with no way to complain.

The entire forging compound had unknowingly split into three factions:

One faction, led by Zhao Dezhu, had the largest number of members and the greatest influence.

One faction consists of those former subordinates of Manager Li. Although they are still putting on a brave face, they are visibly becoming more and more depressed every day.

There is another faction, consisting of only two people: Sun Ping and Shen Chu.

Sun Ping was, after all, a low-grade weapon blacksmith; his status was what it was. Besides, everyone knew that Sun Ping was an honest man.

Zhao Dezhu is new here, so there is no need or reason to easily take action against him.

Shen Chu was Sun Ping's protégé, spending his days assisting Sun Ping. Zhao Dezhu naturally wouldn't risk offending a low-grade blacksmith for the sake of Shen Chu.

Thus, Sun Ping and Shen Chu became outsiders in the compound.

They neither participated in Zhao Dezhu's circle nor took sides with those old men.

Shen Chu focused solely on forging his own sword and practicing his skills.

During lunch break that day

Holding his meal, Sun Ping couldn't help but sigh, "Little Shen, we really owe you a lot!"

Shen Chu took a bite of rice: "Master Sun, what do you mean by that?"

"If it weren't for the two of us working together to forge such a fine knife, we probably wouldn't be eating well right now!"

After saying that, Sun Ping gestured with his chin towards the front, indicating that he should look at everyone's rice bowls.

The food in the knife-forging courtyard is now delivered by people, but the difference in the food received by different people is not small.