Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The "traffic hub" opened up physical channels for wealth, but Xiao Chen's vision has already turned to a deeper strategic layout—technology export.

He knew that simple commodity trade, although it could bring huge profits, was ultimately a "flow" rather than a "source".

Only by mastering core technologies and building a "technical standard" and "industrial chain" centered on oneself can one remain invincible and even achieve "technological colonization" and "economic control" over surrounding areas.

Therefore, a project called "Transmitting the Investigative Science to the West" was quietly launched under the joint promotion of the Institute of Investigative Science and the Bureau of Industrial Design.

Its core principle is: "Export civilian products, monopolize the military industry; export finished products, control the core technology; export applications, retain the theory; export standards, form a dependency."

1. Establish the "Technology Trade Administration" to be in charge of technology export.

Technology exports will be subject to strict official control, and the private disclosure of core technologies will be strictly prohibited.

All foreign technology transfers, collaborations, and training must be reviewed and approved by the Technology Trade Administration.

The technology is classified into four levels: "Top Secret", "Secret", "Restricted", and "Public", and managed hierarchically.

Second, exchanging "non-core technologies" for strategic resources. Xiao Chen selected the first batch of "restricted" technologies that could be exported:

Improved agricultural implements: such as curved plows, dragon-bone waterwheels, wind-powered waterwheels, threshing machines, etc.

These tools can significantly improve agricultural and livestock efficiency, but they do not pose a threat to the military advantage of the Cold Abyss.

The main targets of these exports were the grasslands, the Northern Yan, and the Western Regions, in exchange for their superior breeds, livestock, pasture usage rights, and even mineral mining rights.

Basic building techniques: such as rammed earth construction, construction of simple stone arch bridges, firing of ordinary bricks and tiles, and basic waterproofing and moisture-proofing treatment.

They help improve living conditions in the surrounding areas in exchange for building materials such as timber, stone, and limestone.

Primary medicine and hygiene: such as prescriptions for preventing and treating livestock diseases, disinfection and bandaging methods for treating external injuries, the "variolation" method for preventing smallpox, and filtration and sedimentation technology for improving drinking water. In exchange, they acquired rare medicinal materials, medical books, and even introduced medical professionals from other countries.

Everyday crafts: such as improved oil pressing methods, brewing methods, tanning of ordinary leather, and basic textile machinery. These were used in exchange for raw materials and market share.

Third, promote "technology bundling" and "standard output".

The techniques used by Hanyuan are often accompanied by the "Hanyuan Standard".

For example, the key bearings and gears of the waterwheels being produced must use "standard parts" specially made by Han Yuan; if they break, they can only be purchased from Han Yuan.

The output architectural drawings must use the "Hanyuan Official Ruler" as the unit of measurement.

The exported medicines must be produced using the "dosage units" established by Han Yuan.

The interface dimensions of the exported agricultural tools must conform to the Hanyuan specifications.

Over time, the surrounding areas unknowingly adopted Hanyuan's technical standards and became dependent on Hanyuan's industrial system.

Fourth, establish a "Technical Training Center" to attract apprentices from outside the region.

The "Hanyuan Gewu Academy" was established in Zhenbei City to specifically recruit craftsmen and apprentices from the grasslands, Northern Yan, and the Western Regions.

They learn Han Yuan's "public" and "restricted" level technologies here, but they must sign an agreement promising not to disclose the core technologies after completing the training, and that some of their products must be supplied to Han Yuan first, or use core components provided by Han Yuan.

This not only cultivated technical talent in Qinhanyuan, but also indirectly controlled external production capacity.

Fifth, under the guise of "technical assistance," they infiltrate and control others.

For certain strategic locations or key allies, the Cold Abyss will send "technical assistance teams" to help them build water conservancy facilities, improve pastures, and construct towns.

However, the aid missions often include Night Owl's intelligence personnel and surveyors, who take the opportunity to draw detailed maps, collect intelligence on local resources and troop deployments, and even secretly support pro-Cold Abyss forces.

The "Investigating Things and Spreading Them Westward" project immediately generated a huge response in the surrounding areas.

The Grassland Wolf Tribe was the first to reap the benefits.

The agricultural experts and craftsmen sent by Hanyuan helped them improve their methods of cutting and storing hay, build sturdy livestock pens for wintering, and even teach them simple wool washing and coarse spinning techniques.

In the past, most of the wool from the grasslands was discarded except for making yurts.

Now, the wool, after initial processing, can be sold to merchants in the Cold Abyss in exchange for much-needed grain and ironware.

Batu Khan greatly appreciated this and even offered to exchange the right to use several pastures for Han Yuan's help in building a "permanent royal court" and several border outposts.

Although Murong Han, the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, was wary of Han Yuan, he could not refuse the improved agricultural tools and construction technology that Han Yuan offered.

He allowed the Hanyuan caravan to mine copper ore and a special type of refractory clay, which Hanyuan desperately needed, at designated mines on the border of Northern Yan. In exchange, Hanyuan helped Northern Yan renovate the fortifications and roads at several key passes.

This seemingly win-win situation actually allowed Han Yuan to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the Northern Yan border defenses and gain control over some mineral resources.

The kingdoms of the Western Regions were even more eager to acquire Han Yuan's "strange skills and ingenious crafts".

The wind-powered water-lifting device produced by Hanyuan is practically a miracle in the arid Western Regions.

Improved oil presses and winemaking methods have significantly increased the value of grapes and sesame seeds from the Western Regions.

Even Han Yuan's "Sanitation and Epidemic Prevention Law" effectively curbed the frequent plagues in the Western Regions.

In return, Western Region merchants not only brought more spices and gems, but also allowed exploration teams from Hanyuan to enter its territory to search for mineral deposits, and even hired Hanyuan craftsmen to help build its cities.

However, the output of these technologies does not come without a price.

While enjoying the convenience and wealth brought by technological progress, the surrounding areas have also unknowingly developed a "technological dependence" on Hanyuan.

Their farm tools broke down and they needed parts from Hanyuan to repair them.

Their buildings need reinforcement, requiring cement and standard bricks from the Cold Abyss.

Their wool must be cleaned according to the standards of the Cold Abyss to fetch a high price.

Their caravan needed to purchase steel knives and powerful crossbows manufactured in the Frost Abyss for safe passage.

Even their currency began to use the "Jingbei Tongbao," which was of uniform quality and had a good reputation.

This dependence is latent, yet deadly.

Once the Cold Abyss cuts off technical support and parts supply, their economic and social operations will come to a standstill.

Hanyuan, through this "technological hegemony," firmly occupies the top of the industrial chain, turning the surrounding areas into its raw material production areas, commodity markets, and dependent economic zones.

Standing on the experimental field of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Xiao Chen looked at a model of a "wind-powered water pump" that was about to be transported to the Western Regions. He said to the blacksmith Ou and the students of the Academy of Natural Sciences beside him, "Technology is power, but also authority. What we need to do is not to hide the best technology, but to give away what we can, keep the core technology, set the standards, and grasp the lifeline. Let everyone in the world use our tools, follow our rules, and walk our path. In this way, the might of the Cold Abyss will subdue the enemy without a fight."

The students stood in solemn silence, filled with admiration for the prince's profound wisdom and foresight.

The westward transmission of knowledge and understanding of things not only conveyed the outward appearance of civilization, but also left behind the key to controlling the future.