Pencils

Two months had passed since Shen Yuan's soap business took off. The demand kept growing, and his family was now in a much better position than they had ever been. The house was nearing completion, and their reputation as skilled soap makers was spreading beyond the tribes and into more prominent areas of the Yun Dynasty. But for Shen Yuan, this was only the beginning.

He knew that staying ahead of the competition meant more than just relying on soap. They needed something new, something that would set them apart again and establish them as innovators.

Sitting at his desk one night, Shen Yuan stared at the ink bottle in front of him, a feather pen lying beside it. He dipped the pen in ink and began writing out his calculations for the soap business's growth, but the process was cumbersome. The ink didn't flow smoothly, and he had to constantly stop to re-dip the pen. His frustration grew.

"This is such an outdated way of writing," he muttered under his breath. Then, suddenly, it hit him.

Pencils.

In his old world, pencils were simple, effective, and convenient. They didn't require ink or frequent dipping, and anyone could use them easily. The people here relied heavily on inkstones, grinding ink with water, and using feather pens or brushes. A pencil, if made well, could be revolutionary in this world.

Shen Yuan's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's it. Pencils."

He began sketching out the idea immediately. Graphite, or more commonly coal, would be the key. If they could mine the coal and refine it, then encase it in wood, they could create a writing tool that was far superior to anything currently available in the Yun Dynasty.

The next step was finding the right materials. Shen Yuan remembered the location of a coal mine nearby in the wilderness. It had been untouched for years, and the locals likely didn't realize its potential for more than just fuel.

"I'll need someone strong to help with the digging," Shen Yuan thought, and almost immediately, his mind went to his fifth brother, Shen Tianzhu. Tianzhu was strong, reliable, and always...Free.

-

Early the next morning, Shen Yuan found Shen Tianzhu near the newly built yard, practicing with his bow. His movements were precise and controlled, a testament to his discipline.

"Tianzhu!" Shen Yuan called out.

Shen Tianzhu straightened up, lowering his bow. "What is it, Yuan?"

"I've got a new project. Something big," Shen Yuan said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Shen Tianzhu grinned. "You always have something big going on. What is it this time?"

"Pencils," Shen Yuan replied, the word rolling off his tongue as if it held the solution to all their problems. "A new writing tool. It's easier to use than ink and feather pens. We can make them from coal."

Shen Tianzhu looked intrigued but slightly confused. "Coal? Like the stuff we use to heat the fire?"

"Exactly. But in a refined form," Shen Yuan explained. "There's a coal mine out in the wilderness, not too far from here. I need you to come with me and help dig it out. Once we have enough coal, I'll show you how we can turn it into something valuable."

Shen Tianzhu's grin widened. "That sounds like a challenge. I'm in. When do we leave?"

"Now," Shen Yuan said, already walking back toward the camp. "Grab your tools. We're heading out as soon as you're ready."

--

Meanwhile, Shen Jiuyuan and Uncle Shen Lingyun were preparing for a trip of their own. They had planned to visit the night market in one of the nearby towns to buy supplies and perhaps find new trade opportunities for their growing soap business.

The night market was always bustling, filled with vendors selling everything from spices to silk. The warm glow of lanterns lit the streets, casting a golden hue over the busy market stalls. The air was thick with the smell of grilled meats, fresh pastries, and the sound of haggling buyers.

As they made their way through the market, Shen Jiuyuan spotted a familiar figure. Ji Zhiyu, standing with his attendants near a vendor's stall, inspecting some silks.

"Master Ji!" Shen Jiuyuan called, waving.

Ji Zhiyu turned, his usual calm and composed demeanor softening when he saw them. He stepped toward them, offering a rare smile. "Shen Jiuyuan, Brother Lingyun. It's good to see you both."

Shen Lingyun nodded politely. "Master Ji. We didn't expect to see you here."

Ji Zhiyu's eyes flickered with interest as they landed on Shen Lingyun. "I often visit the night market. There's something about it that's… lively."

Shen Jiuyuan, ever practical, began discussing the next soap delivery, but Ji Zhiyu's attention kept drifting back to Shen Lingyun. His usual business-like demeanor had softened considerably. Every time Shen Lingyun spoke, Ji Zhiyu's gaze lingered, and the faintest of smiles tugged at the corners of his lips.

For his part, Shen Lingyun remained oblivious. He was focused on the business matters at hand and didn't notice the way Ji Zhiyu's gaze followed him. Lingyun had always been practical, never one to indulge in romantic thoughts, especially since he'd never seen anyone in his life show interest in him before.

As they wrapped up their conversation, Ji Zhiyu spoke with a new gentleness in his voice. "Brother Lingyun, you seem to have an eye for quality. Perhaps you could help me choose some fabrics for my household. I could use someone with good taste to make sure I don't get swindled by these vendors."

Shen Lingyun blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Of course, Master Ji. I'd be happy to help."

As they browsed the market together, Shen Jiuyuan—completely oblivious to the shift in Ji Zhiyu's attitude—focused on collecting the supplies they needed. He had no idea that his uncle was now the object of interest for Ji Zhiyu, whose occasional glances were far more meaningful than Jiuyuan realized.

Ji Zhiyu asked Shen Lingyun about the fabrics, but his questions weren't really about the goods. "How have things been at the camp? Has your family adjusted to the changes?"

Shen Lingyun, not sensing any deeper meaning, answered politely. "We've been managing well. Shen Yuan is always coming up with new ideas, and the house is nearly finished. Once it's done, it'll be much easier to handle the household."

Ji Zhiyu nodded, but his gaze never left Lingyun's face. "Your family is lucky to have you. Not many gers could manage a household as well as you do."

Shen Lingyun smiled modestly. "I just do what I can."

Ji Zhiyu's eyes softened further. "You do more than that. I hope to visit your camp soon to thank Shen Yuan for his work. Perhaps we can discuss some… future opportunities."

Shen Lingyun nodded, completely unaware of the subtext. "You're always welcome, Master Ji."

As they continued through the market, Ji Zhiyu was already planning his next move.

-

Meanwhile, out in the wilderness, Shen Yuan and Shen Tianzhu had reached the coal mine Shen Yuan remembered. It wasn't much at first glance—just a rocky outcrop that jutted from the earth—but Shen Yuan knew what lay beneath the surface.

"This is the spot," Shen Yuan said, pointing to the dark rocks. "We'll need to dig deeper, but once we get past the surface, we'll find the coal."

Shen Tianzhu set to work immediately, using a pickaxe to chip away at the rock. "How much coal do we need for these pencils?"

Shen Yuan squatted down next to his brother, picking up a piece of the broken rock. "Not too much. We're not making fuel—just enough to refine the graphite and mix it with clay. That's what we'll use to create the pencil lead."

Tianzhu nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Sounds like you've already thought this through."

Shen Yuan grinned. "I have. Once we get the coal, we'll head back and start refining it. After that, we'll carve the wooden casing. It's a simple process, but it'll make a big difference for people who want an easier way to write."

As they worked, the sky began to darken, and the sounds of the forest grew quieter.