chapter 10

The village buzzed with life as the fires of the forge cooled. Victory over Malik Zaman had secured Rahim Khan's position as a dominant force in the mountains, but Faisal's mind was already racing beyond the battlefield. There was more to ruling than just war. He had the technology to create weapons, but if Afghanistan was going to stand against the rising tide of foreign empires, it couldn't rely on war alone. The people needed to be lifted as well.

As Faisal walked through the village, he observed the daily life of its people. Mothers gathered water from a well, farmers struggled with crude tools to cultivate the rocky soil, children played in the dirt, oblivious to the dangers of the world. It was clear that while Rahim's soldiers now had advanced weapons, the rest of the people were living in the past. If Faisal wanted to build a true empire, the foundations had to be stronger.

In his previous life, Faisal had studied not only military technologies but also the innovations that had fueled the Industrial Revolution—steam engines, machines for farming, methods for sanitation, and improved tools for craftsmen. He had the knowledge, and now he had the opportunity to apply it.

That evening, Faisal sat in his quarters, the fire crackling in the hearth. His mind wandered to the future once more, and the system, as if sensing his thoughts, activated.

[New Mission: Introduce basic technologies to improve quality of life in the villages. Time Limit: 60 days.]

[Reward: Advanced Industrial Blueprints + 1,000 System Points.]

The system's voice was colder than ever, pushing him forward with precise goals. Faisal leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself. This was the key. War could win battles, but to truly rule, he needed the loyalty of the people. And the easiest way to win that loyalty was to improve their lives.

The next morning, Faisal gathered his small group of engineers and craftsmen—the ones who had helped him build the muskets and cannons. They were his most skilled workers, and while their expertise was still limited, they had shown remarkable ability to learn. Now it was time to expand their skills.

"We're going to build more than just weapons," Faisal said as the group stood before him. "We're going to build machines. Tools that will change how people live and work."

The workers exchanged confused glances. They had grown accustomed to the rhythm of the forge, of shaping iron into weapons of war. But Faisal's mind was on something else entirely. He could sense their hesitation but pressed forward.

"The same steam power we used for the cannons can be used for farming, for water, for the things people need every day," he continued. "We'll build a steam engine first—one that can be used for irrigation, to help the farmers bring more water to their crops. After that, we'll look at other innovations."

One of the older craftsmen, a grizzled man named Aziz, frowned. "But my lord, we've never done anything like this. How will we know if it will work?"

Faisal smiled. "I'll teach you. Just as you learned to build the muskets and cannons, you'll learn this. And when the people see what we've created, they'll support us—not just because we protect them, but because we make their lives better."

The following days were a whirlwind of planning and design. Faisal spent hours sketching out the blueprints for the first steam engine, a simple machine that would pump water from the river into the village, ensuring a steady supply of irrigation for the crops. It wasn't as advanced as the industrial machines of the 21st century, but for this time, it would be revolutionary.

The workers were slow at first, their hands more used to forging weapons than crafting precise mechanical parts. But Faisal guided them patiently, showing them how the pieces fit together, how the power of steam could be harnessed to do more than fire a cannonball. This was the beginning of industry.

As the machine slowly took shape, word spread through the village. The people were curious, even skeptical. They had heard of the strange new weapons Faisal had created, but this was something different. This was a machine for them, not for the soldiers. And as the weeks passed and the engine began to function, that skepticism turned to awe.

The day the steam engine first roared to life, a small crowd gathered around the village square where it had been installed. The ground shook slightly as the machine pumped water from the river into the dry fields, and the people watched with wide eyes as water flowed through the new irrigation channels, turning the soil damp and fertile.

For the first time in years, the farmers could see hope. They would no longer rely on the unpredictable rain or the long treks to fetch water by hand. Their crops would grow, and with them, their prosperity. Faisal stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the reactions of the villagers. This was what real power looked like.

Rahim Khan, who had been so focused on the next battle, approached Faisal as the engine rumbled on.

"What is this, Faisal?" Rahim asked, his voice more curious than angry.

"A tool for the people," Faisal replied. "They need more than weapons, Rahim. They need to survive, to prosper. With this, they'll be able to grow more food, and with more food comes more strength. Stronger people make for stronger soldiers."

Rahim grunted, not fully grasping the significance but sensing that Faisal's words carried weight. "As long as it keeps them working."

Faisal smiled inwardly. Rahim couldn't see beyond his soldiers, but that was fine. Faisal could. The more the people relied on the technology he brought, the more loyal they would become to him, not to Rahim.

Over the next weeks, Faisal pushed forward with more projects. He introduced simple tools that increased the efficiency of blacksmiths and carpenters, designed basic windmills to grind grain, and even started planning an improved sanitation system to reduce disease in the village. It wasn't about luxury—it was about survival and efficiency. The healthier and more productive the people were, the stronger his empire would be.

One afternoon, as Faisal worked in the forge, overseeing the production of new farming tools, Rustam Khan approached him. The lieutenant, usually so focused on military matters, looked at the new devices with a frown.

"What is all this, Faisal?" Rustam asked, gesturing to the tools and machines. "I thought you were building weapons."

"I'm building something greater than weapons," Faisal said, not looking up from his work. "An empire isn't just built on soldiers. It's built on the people. If they're strong, healthy, and prosperous, they'll fight harder. They'll have something to fight for."

Rustam narrowed his eyes, his suspicion clear. "And what do you want in return for all this? The people are starting to talk. They say you've brought them miracles."

Faisal smiled. "I don't need their praise. I need their loyalty. And if they see that we can make their lives better, they'll follow us anywhere."

Rustam studied him for a moment longer before nodding. He didn't fully understand Faisal's vision, but he knew enough to recognize the growing power behind it. Faisal wasn't just creating machines—he was creating something much bigger.

Weeks passed, and the village transformed. The farmers produced more crops than ever before, the craftsmen worked more efficiently, and the people began to look at Faisal not just as a man of war, but as a man of progress. It wasn't just Rahim Khan's soldiers who relied on him now—it was everyone.

But as Faisal stood in the village square one evening, watching the windmill blades turn lazily in the setting sun, he knew that these small advances were just the beginning. The world outside was moving faster than ever. The British mercenaries were a sign of things to come, and soon the Russians would follow.

The people would need more than just better farming tools. They would need schools, factories, infrastructure that could withstand the pressures of a changing world. And Faisal would be the one to bring it to them.

[Mission Complete: Introduce basic technologies to improve quality of life in the villages.]

[Reward: Advanced Industrial Blueprints + 1,000 System Points.]

The system's chime echoed in Faisal's mind, but he barely registered it. His thoughts were already moving toward the next phase. The foundations had been laid. Now it was time to build something greater—an empire not just of warlords and soldiers, but of people, of innovation, of a future that could stand against the tide of foreign powers.

And as the night settled in, Faisal smiled. The people would follow him, not because he demanded it, but because he had given them something they hadn't had in years.

Hope.