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

The promulgation of the "workshop patent" was like a shot in the arm for the artisans of Hanyuan, igniting an unprecedented passion for innovation.

However, Xiao Chen knew that in order to sustain this enthusiasm and make technology a true foundation of the nation, monetary rewards and patent protection alone were not enough. It was necessary to fundamentally change the social status of craftsmen, giving them political recognition, social respect, and even the glory of passing down their skills through generations.

In this era where "all other professions are inferior, only studying is superior," craftsmen, doctors, soldiers, and farmers were considered "lowly professions." Even those with immense wealth were seen by the literati as "craftsmen with strange skills," unworthy of respect. What Xiao Chen wanted to do was break down these millennia-old class barriers and reshape societal values.

Therefore, shortly after the promulgation of the "Workshop Patent Law", Xiao Chen issued another edict that shocked the court and the public - the "Order on Rewarding Craftsmen".

The establishment of "ranks of craftsmen" broke down class barriers.

The imperial edict announced the establishment of the "Hundred Crafts Nobility" system, which was specifically awarded to skilled professionals such as artisans, doctors, agricultural teachers, and soldiers who had made significant inventions, technological breakthroughs, or outstanding contributions to the national economy and people's livelihood in the fields of military industry, agriculture, medicine, construction, textiles, mining and metallurgy, boats and vehicles, and natural sciences.

The nobility is divided into five ranks, from bottom to top:

Worker: Granted a silver plaque, an annual salary of ten shi (a unit of dry measure), and exemption from taxes and corvée labor for the entire family.

Engineer: Awarded a bronze plaque, an annual salary of twenty shi (a unit of dry measure), ten mu (a unit of land measurement), and priority access to school for his children.

Master Craftsman: Awarded a silver plaque with gilding, an annual salary of fifty shi (a unit of dry measure), thirty mu (a unit of land measurement) of land, a mansion, and his sons may enter the Military Academy or the Academy of Natural Sciences.

National Hero: Awarded a gold medal, an annual salary of 100 shi (a unit of dry measure), 100 mu (a unit of land measurement) of land, a residence, and his sons can directly enter officialdom without having to bow to officials.

The Emperor bestowed upon him a jade plaque, an annual stipend of 300 shi (a unit of dry measure), 300 mu (another unit of land), and a mansion. His descendants would inherit the title, be enshrined in the "Lingyan Pavilion," and have his statue and monument erected to ensure his eternal fame.

These five ranks of nobility not only enjoyed generous material benefits, but also possessed extremely high political status and social honor.

Those who obtain the title of "Grand Master Craftsman" or above can attend court assemblies and participate in discussions of state affairs; those who obtain the title of "National Scholar" do not have to bow to officials and can even sit on equal footing with the heads of the Six Ministries; those who obtain the title of "Heavenly Craftsman" enjoy the same honor as the founding heroes.

After the imperial edict was issued, Xiao Chen personally presided over the first ceremony for conferring titles of "Hundred Craftsmen".

The grand ceremony was held in the central square of Zhenbei Town, attracting tens of thousands of onlookers and creating an unprecedented spectacle.

For his outstanding achievements, Ou the blacksmith was awarded the title of "Heavenly Craftsman" and became the first craftsman in Hanyuan.

Xiao Chen personally pinned a jade plaque on him, bestowed upon him a mansion and land, and declared that his title would be hereditary.

Tears streaming down his face, the blacksmith knelt and kowtowed, saying, "I am but a humble blacksmith, yet Your Highness has treated me with such kindness. I can only dedicate this crippled body to Your Highness and to Hanyuan, to forge an everlasting legacy!"

Shi San was awarded the title of "National Hero". His improved cement completely changed the face of city construction, road building, and water conservancy, and his contributions will last for generations.

Lu Fang was granted the title of "National Hero". The powerful crossbow he designed was a key weapon for the Hanyuan Army to defeat the enemy.

Murong Xue was granted the title of "National Hero". She was the first woman to receive this honor, setting a precedent for women to be granted titles.

Zhou Heng was granted the title of "Master Craftsman".

In addition, more than 30 artisans, doctors, and farmers who made outstanding contributions in their respective fields were awarded the titles of "Master Craftsman," "Master Craftsman," and "Master Craftsman," respectively.

They were adorned with red ribbons and colorful decorations, rode horses through the streets, and received cheers from the crowd.

Countless craftsmen, soldiers, and farmers, seeing their former "colleagues" and "kindred spirits" now reach the pinnacle of glory, were all moved to tears, their hearts ignited with unprecedented hope and fighting spirit.

The "rewarding of noble titles to artisans" had an impact far beyond the conferment of honors themselves; it profoundly changed the social structure and values ​​of Hanyuan.

The status of craftsmen has been elevated to an unprecedented level.

In the past, when craftsmen met scholars or even minor officials, they would bow and scrape, referring to themselves as "lowly people."

Today, artisans who receive titles not only possess wealth but also political status.

Even ordinary craftsmen, with promotion channels and role models, have straightened their backs and spoken with more confidence.

Craftsmen are no longer looked down upon as "craftsmen," but rather as respected "technical experts."

"Those who excel in their studies will become officials" is no longer the only way out.

The young people of Hanyuan discovered that studying and becoming an official was not the only option in life.

Those who are proficient in arithmetic can become high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Revenue; those who are proficient in the study of things can become master craftsmen in the Ministry of Works; those who are proficient in medicine can become national heroes; even those who are proficient in farming and horse breeding can obtain a noble title and bring glory to their ancestors if they are proficient in these skills.

"In every profession, there are top performers"—in Hanyuan, this is no longer just an empty saying, but a living reality.

A large number of technical talents have emerged.

Driven by both honor and profit, Han Yuan sparked a wave of enthusiasm for "learning technology and making inventions".

The number of applicants for the "Physics", "Arithmetic" and "Medicine" courses at Hanyuan Academy has surged, even surpassing the number for the traditional "Classics" course.

The "craftsmen's class" and "armory class" at the Military Academy were extremely difficult to find a place in.

In the workshops, it is common for artisans to delve into techniques and improve processes.

Hanyuan's technological and talent reserves are accumulating at an unprecedented speed.

"Rewarding all craftsmen with titles" demonstrates to the world Hanyuan's founding spirit of "pragmatism, innovation, meritocracy, and unconventionality."

It tells everyone that in the Cold Abyss, ability is more important than birth, hard work is more important than empty talk, and contribution is more important than social status.

This spirit has attracted more and more talented people from all directions to flock to Hanyuan.

Skilled craftsmen from the Central Plains, master weavers from Jiangnan, extraordinary individuals from the Western Regions, and even navigators returning from overseas all flocked to Hanyuan, hoping to showcase their talents and realize their ambitions on this fertile land. Hanyuan truly became a holy land for technical talents from all over the world.

Looking at the craftsmen at the award ceremony, their faces flushed with excitement and their backs straight with pride, Xiao Chen felt a surge of satisfaction.

"The artisans are the foundation of the nation and the source of the people's livelihood."

He said to his courtiers, "Without artisans, we would have no strong cities and powerful cannons, no salt, iron, cloth, or good medicine. To despise artisans is to destroy our own Great Wall."

From this day forward, in Hanyuan, artisans and scholars will be ranked together, with equal emphasis placed on skills and classical learning.

We must let the world know that the power of Hanyuan lies not only in its swords and blades, but also in the hammers, chisels, rulers, and wisdom of its countless craftsmen!

Rewarding artisans with titles is not just about bestowing noble ranks, but also about respecting labor, valuing creativity, and promoting a spirit of hard work.

It signifies that Hanyuan, this newly established regime, has completely broken free from the shackles of the old era and embarked on a unique path of rise based on technology and innovation.